Entertainment in Chiapas
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Kakao Natura
For something different, melt into a hot chocolate at the chocolatería Kakao Natura. The dozen or so varieties of artisanal chocolates (M$25 to M$38 per dozen) make fine gifts – if you can resist eating them yourself.
reviewed
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La Viña de Bacco
At San Cristóbal’s first wine bar, chatty patrons spill out onto the street, a pedestrian block of the main drag. It’s a convivial place, pouring a large selection of Mexican options (among others), starting at a reasonable M$18 per glass.
reviewed
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Clásico
With a nod to the genteel decór of an English country house, this dance club has upholstered walls and tiers of smart banquettes that rise around a dance floor that pulses like a two dimensional Rubik’s Cube on acid. The ‘classic’ music shuffle includes techno, disco and tunes from the ’80s and ’90s. It’s next door to the Borakay bar and the Hotel Camino Real, though not reachable via the hotel. Go by car or taxi.
reviewed
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La Palapa
As freaky-fun as it gets in these parts, this al fresco ‘jungle lounge’ has DJs spinning reggae, salsa and electronica – sometimes punctuated by fire dancing – starting around midnight. There are occasional movie screenings as well. Dance until the wee hours and then dissolve and regroup on sofas under the palapa roof.
reviewed
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Iskra
Pour back a pils, stout or red ale created at this artisanal microbrewery, and watch local bands strut their stuff, or play a foosball match in the back room. Lit by colorful bar lamps and flickering with votive candles, Iskra showcases everything from son to swing, rock en español to electronica.
reviewed
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Multiforo Las Velas
Embossed with vivid stencils and run by a collective of artists and musicians, this multilevel arts space ramps it up with an eclectic musical roster including reggae, rock, funk, jungle and dub step. Live music and dancing start around 11pm, though circus and theater performances occasionally take a turn.
reviewed
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Perfídia
An artsy and relaxed restaurant, gallery and bar showing work by local artists, Perfídia stages live Latin jazz, rock, salsa and blues from Wednesday through Saturday. It has an excellent international menu and a cheeky list of cocktails, like the Bésame y olvídame (kiss me and forget me).
reviewed
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Live
Just west of the Holiday Inn, you'll find the locals dancing on the seats of this pulsing, packed nightclub. DJs spin a blend of pop, rock and electronica, and there's usually a band playing in the wee margarita-soaked hours. Men cough up around $120 cover on Fridays and Saturdays.
reviewed
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Habana Cafe
Habana Cafe Salseros, take your places! Tucked next door to the Hotel Camino Real, the city views from this hilltop dance club are as hot as the moves. Stop in from 21:00 to 23:00 for free salsa classes so you can warm up for the live music starting at midnight.
reviewed
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Grado Cero
Overlooking the Jardín de la Marimba, this upstairs open-air lounge features live trova, rock and banda starting at 8:30pm. It’s a chill place with black lights, a friendly atmosphere, and a tasty food selection to accompany the drinks.
reviewed
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Shangri La
A new indoor/outdoor club, it features live merengue and salsa on Fridays and Saturdays. A stone wall encircles a romantic patio garden lit by lawn lamps, and a stylish interior has four intimate rooms with comfortable seating and fabric-draped ceilings.
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El Tapanco
At this upstairs 'attic,' look for live rock and trova bands on Fridays and Saturdays. Afternoon drinks come with botanas, and cooler evenings are a swell time to munch on pizza (around $100) washed down with a michelada.
reviewed
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Bypass
A retro lounge-bar with a futuristic aura, they play electronica and house music from the '80s and '90s. A well between the two levels lets you spy on everyone shakin' it. Located between the parking garage and Sanborns at the Plaza Cristal mall.
reviewed
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Barfly
Stained glass lamps light the bar and a graffiti-style mural splashes across the wall in this dark and funky club. It's a popular space for local musicians, with electronica on Saturdays and reggae, funk and salsa bands otherwise.
reviewed
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El Circo
A slightly hipper venue across the street from Bar Revolución. A reggae-rock band normally plays in the front bar, while the larger electro-pop dance room in the back opens Thursday to Saturday. Both are usually packed.
reviewed
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Laska
Dim and funky, with crazy designs climbing up the walls, this artsy and intimate new club features soulful trova from 5pm to 8pm, and live jazz, reggae, salsa, cumbia and electronica in the evening.
reviewed
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Jarro Café Bar & Grill
A semi-futuristic space with a burbling fountain, Jarro is a fun all-purpose bar with loud music. Depending on the night, it could be showing fútbol or hosting patrons crooning karaoke tunes.
reviewed
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Latino’s
A bright restaurant and dance spot where the city’s salseros gather to groove. A salsa/merengue/ cumbia band plays nightly, with the crowds getting thick by 10:30pm or so.
reviewed
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Borakay
The city views from this swanky hilltop karaoke club inspire many a booze-boosted crooner. Enjoy the panorama and some between-the-tables dancing on its palapa terrace.
reviewed
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Santa Diabla
A schizophrenic nightclub: it offers an angelic bar lit by tin stars, and a devilish disco with live rock and salsa starting at 1:30am. It’s about 2.5km from Plaza Cívica.
reviewed
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Café Biomaya
One of numerous good cafés on the Jardín de la Marimba, this one serves organic indigenous-grown brew and sports low-slung black sofas that may lead to indolent lingering.
reviewed
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Barchelona
One of a number of raucous Zona Dorada megaclubs playing contemporary dance music. Crowds throng here on weekends to party at this open-air space dappled by disco balls.
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Los Amigos
A popular but reasonably unraucous cantina, the two-for-one beers and tasty botanas (free snacks) keep it hopping and fun, as do the wander-in mariachi bands.
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Centro Cultural de Chiapas Jaime Sabines
This large cultural complex hosts frequent cinema, music and literature programs, as well as contemporary art exhibitions and an excellent (Spanish-only) bookstore.
reviewed
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DaDa Club
There's never a cover, and live jazz bands wail nightly starting around 21:30. Earthy and intimate and dressed up in red, this new club is cozy and inviting.
reviewed
