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T-Gallery
A low-key crowd kick back with cocktails in the various salons of this lovely old Condesa home, each appointed with a splendid array of kitschy sofas, coffee tables and mirrors. It's like going to a party at your hippest friend's house, with a difference - you can purchase any of the furniture that appeals to you. Jazz, blues and bossa nova combos jam downstairs nightly.
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Taberna Red Fly
An elegantly furnished space in a typical Porfiriato-era residence, the Red Fly organizes monthly mezcal tastings, where aficionados can appreciate the subtle gradations in flavor, based on where the beverage is distilled.
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Teatro Blanquita
There is something very traditional about this theater, located a sombrero-spin from the mariachi musicians in Plaza Garibaldi. One of the city's older theaters, it has long been regarded as the best place in town to enjoy musicals and comedy, as well as popular plays, generally geared toward a family night out. The seats are comfortably cushioned and priced.
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Teatro De La Ciudad
Dating back to 1918, this was the first theater to be built in Mexico City and, after being closed for several years, has been exquisitely restored to its former glory. The elaborate neoclassical facade is a suitable taster of what's to come: a sumptuous Art Nouveau interior reflecting the belle époque style of the period. The 1300-seat theater is the venue for a healthy selection of musical genres, including classical orchestras, recitals and blues (John Lee Hooker Jnr was a recent sold-out star).
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Teatro De La Danza
This complex behind the Auditorio Nacional features six theaters, including the Teatro de la Danza, established in 1969 and dedicated to modern dance. An elegant auditorium, there are just 340 seats, so advance reservations are recommended for the higher-profile performances. As with classical music, Mexico City's cultural centers frequently stage classical and contemporary dance performances; watch for announcements in Tiempo Libre and Friday's La Jornada .
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Teatro El Galeón
One of several theaters within this vibrant cultural center, the Galeón stages evocative thought-provoking plays by primarily Mexican writers. Most recently, these have included the acclaimed Rashid 9/11, written by Jaime Magnus, which obtained first prize in the Premio Nacional de Dramaturgia Victor Hugo (a national playwrights' competition) in 2006.
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Teatro Juan Ruiz Alarcón
This plush 466-seat theater, within the university's Cultural Centre, has a large stage and excellent lighting and acoustics, so is the frequent venue for large-cast musicals and similar, as well as Shakespearean and other classic drama.
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Teatro Metropolitán
Artists as diverse as Café Tacuba, Buddy Guy and the Russian National Ballet have played this medium-sized hall near the Alameda Central. An old movie palace dating from the 1940s, the lavishly decorated theater holds around 3000, with an upper deck high above the stage.
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Teatro Polyforum Siqueiros
A friendly small theater auditorium with wrap-around seats surrounding a central stage. The productions regularly include programs designed for children which, even if Spanish does not trip easily off your tiny tot's tongue, can be colorful and entertaining. Classic comedies are also regularly staged.
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Teatro Santa Catarina
A UNAM theater which primarily stages serious drama productions (in Spanish).
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Tiki Bar
Amidst the salsa dance clubs, this South Pacific spree spreads on the kitsch with bamboo-fringed walls and teak floors. The wacky cocktails are the real draw: not just mai-tais but chocotikis, mojotikis and various other rum creations that thrill a celebrity-studded crowd.
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Travazares Taberna
The downstairs adjunct of a cultural center, this popular Roma hangout strikes a suitably bohemian tone. Recycled objects furnish a series of cozy, candlelit salons where artistically inclined youth sip wine or Cerveza Cosaco (a Mexican mircrobrew). The fusion menu is hit-or-miss, depending on who's in the kitchen.
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Vive Cuervo Salón
A warehouse-sized venue for touring salsa stars as well as rock, world and other performers. With excellent sound, wall-length bar and dance floor for thousands, this is one of Mexico's most attractive clubs.
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Zinco Jazz Club
A vital component in the Centro renaissance, Zinco is a subterranean supper club featuring local jazz and funk outfits and occasional big-name touring artists. Located downstairs from the Art Deco Banco Mexicano building, the intimate room fills up fast, so reserve ahead.
