Entertainment in Tabasco & 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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El Refugio de la Luna
A funky high-ceilinged coffeehouse with Spanish tiles and wicker seating, this place offers some of the most consistent arts offerings in town. Stop in for live jazz, trova or fandango on Fridays and Saturdays, literary readings on Wednesdays, and free rooftop movies – Cine Bajo las Estrellas (Cinema Under the Stars) – on Thursday nights. Serves food, but no alcohol.
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.
reviewed
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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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La Xícara
Celebrate bohemia at this tiny new chill-out arts space on a pedestrian alley, where the resident DJ spins techno and you can nibble on waffles and quesadillas while sprawled out on the red leopard-print sofa. Look for a red light.
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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Salsa
At the southern end of the malecón, river breezes swing through this open-air club, which pulses with salsa and reggaetón. DJs and live bands get people on their feet, with crowds getting thick by midnight.
reviewed
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Casa de la Trova Tabasqueña
Casa de la Trova Tabasqueña Trova artists play once or twice most weeks, usually at 20:00 Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, at this café-style venue next to the Museo Regional de Antropología.
reviewed
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La Sevillana
For a more upscale experience, share a pitcher of sangria at this gourmet café with comfortable outdoor tables. A block off the malecón, its breezy arcade is a pleasant place to while away the evening.
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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