Must-see nightlife in Yucatán Peninsula

  • Batey

    Tulum

    Mojitos sweetened with freshly pressed cane sugar are the main attraction at this popular Cuban bar, with fun music acts in the rear garden. Most nights…

  • Amarula con Acento Tropical

    Cancún

    Identified from the street only by a doorway and neon sign, Amarula blends dark, sultry style with the architectural details of an old Cancún house. The…

  • La Tablita

    Isla Mujeres

    For a little local flavor, spend a lazy afternoon over cold drinks and free snacks in this atmospheric, fan-cooled Caribbean house. The jukebox selection…

  • Manifesto

    Mérida

    This place, run by a trio from Calabria, Italy, offers an ambitious 'manifesto' indeed: a revolution in coffee brought about by the fusing of Italian…

  • Pipiripau Bar

    Mérida

    This historic cantina is easily one of Mérida's most charming and atmospheric spots. Its gorgeous bar is original and there are several grand rooms for…

  • Nomads Hostel & Bar

    Cancún

    Showing off with an artsy vibe where geometric tiles meet concrete and brick, Nomads draws in Cancún’s young 'in crowd' with creative cocktails and…

  • City

    Cancún

    The largest nightclub in Latin America still manages to fill up every Friday night. Frequently hosting world-famous DJs and musicians, this massive place…

  • Luuma

    Isla Holbox

    This stylish evening hangout sits in a garden of palm trees, hanging lanterns and candlelight on the eastern edge of Holbox town. You can indulge in an…

  • La Cocay

    Isla Cozumel

    Operating since 1996, this restaurant's food is underwhelming and the service is slow. Opt instead to come here for a romantic, candlelit après-meal…

  • Tiny Tiki Hut

    Playa del Carmen

    If you're tired of Mexico and need some Hawaii in your night, head to Tiny Tiki Hut, with tasty original cocktails, old Tiki faves like mai tais, and …

  • La Buena Vida

    Akumal

    A popular beachside restaurant-bar with sand floors, swings and a drink menu with gimmicky cocktail names such as 'The Viagra,' which offers you 'a stiff…

  • Freedom in Paradise

    Isla Cozumel

    As much a viewing point as it is a great place for a chilled beer, Freedom in Paradise is a family-run endeavor that's been around for decades. The mellow…

  • Marakame Café

    Cancún

    An excellent open-air breakfast and lunch spot by day, and a popular bar with live music by night. The bartenders, or mixologists if you will, prepare…

  • El Fish

    Isla Cozumel

    For the classic Cozumel botana bar experience (free snacks come to the table each time you order a new round), hit this fan-cooled establishment for a…

  • La Bodeguita del Medio

    Playa del Carmen

    The writing is literally on the walls (and on the lampshades, and pretty much everywhere) at this Cuban restaurant-bar. After a few mojitos you'll be…

  • Poc-Na Hostel

    Isla Mujeres

    Has a lobby bar with nightly live music and a beachfront bar with thumping music and more hippies than all the magic buses in the world. It’s a scene, and…

  • Playa 69

    Playa del Carmen

    This popular gay dance club proudly features foreign strippers from such far-flung places as Australia and Brazil, and it stages weekend drag-queen shows…

  • Hot Corner

    Isla Holbox

    Truly living up to its name, this corner gastro-bar is Holbox's go-to spot for live music, dancing, spirited boozing and late-night munchies. Much to the…

  • Bara Bara

    Puerto Morelos

    The party usually spills out onto the street at this popular bar just south of the plaza. Bara Bara spins the best tunes in town, prepares martinis that…

  • Grand Mambocafé

    Cancún

    The large floor at this happening club is the perfect place to practice those Latin dance steps you've been working on. Live groups play Cuban salsa and…

  • Las de Guanatos

    Cancún

    This indoor-outdoor space has earned fame over the years for its massive one-liter micheladas, a Mexican drink made with beer, lime juice, sauces and more…

  • Black Pub

    Cancún

    Imitating the vibe of a stylish British pub, this bar attracts everyone from local university students to 50-somethings. It’s the live late-night bands…

  • Palazzo

    Cancún

    At Palazzo, theme nights like 'Electric Party Wednesdays' and 'Red District Saturdays' give a sense of what to expect. The excitement is spread over…

  • Mercado 60

    Mérida

    For a fun night of booze and cheap(ish) international eats, head to this atmospheric, lively and diverse culinary market, where the margaritas will have…

  • La Negrita

    Mérida

    This post-modern cantina (think contemporary grunge) is the current hot spot in town. If the live music doesn't inspire you to get a tropical groove on,…

  • Salón Rincón Colonial

    Campeche

    With ceiling fans high over an airy hall and a solid wood bar amply stocked with rum, this Cuban-style drinking establishment appropriately served as a…

  • La Fundación Mezcalería

    Mérida

    This loud, retro-styled bar with nightly live music and tons of Mérida atmosphere has reasonably priced mezcals, beers and cocktails flowing all night…

  • Clandestino

    Tulum

    There are several bars here and a bunch of tables, all clustered around a cenote (yes!) that's actually swimmable, so if you get bored with your drink or…

  • Coconuts Bar & Grill

    Isla Cozumel

    The term 'Coconuts' is used here metaphorically, and some of the decorations are a bit tacky (the thong-wearing beach balls, for instance), but what would…

  • Chocol-Ha

    Campeche

    For chocolate cravings, head to this cute little cafe with a patio in front and grassy yard in back. Try bittersweet hot chocolate with green tea or chili…

  • Bar del Mar

    Cancún

    One of Cancún’s only beach bars open to the public. With just a few tables on the terrace and on the sand, Bar del Mar serves snacks, beers and cocktails…

  • Dirty Martini Lounge

    Playa del Carmen

    The Dirty Martini Lounge doesn't have a foam machine, there's no mechanical bull and there's minimal nudity – a refreshing change for crazy Playa. The…

  • Cara Negra

    Mérida

    If you've been craving a spot to sip cocktails and look at skulls, your search is over. This dark, macabre-themed place has an excellent selection of…

  • Pata de Perro Cantina

    Chetumal

    With a more subdued vibe than some of the nearby nightclubs, this outdoor cantina stages the occasional midweek reggae act and serves ridiculously cheap…

  • Illuminati

    Mérida

    There's a warm and relaxed atmosphere at this downtown craft-beer bar housed in a barnlike colonial building. Mérida-produced craft beers including Ceiba,…

  • Dady’O

    Cancún

    One of Cancún’s classic dance clubs. The setting is a five-level, black-walled faux cave with a two-level dance floor and what seems like zillions of…

  • Hermana Republica

    Mérida

    A sleek, fashionable spot with an industrial interior including Edison light bulbs and designer chairs. Moneyed young locals hit here for craft beers …

  • La Casa Vieja de Río

    Campeche

    There’s no better setting for an evening cocktail than La Casa Vieja’s colonnaded balcony overlooking the Plaza Principal. Look for the stairs next to the…

  • PK2

    Mérida

    One of the city's top spots for gay nightlife, the PK2 has strip shows, revues, drag queens and more, set to pumping trance- and electro-themed music…

  • Orgánico

    Mérida

    Java junkies will enjoy the organic coffee, which is prepared with beans from the highlands of Chiapas and elsewhere. Hungry? You'll find good vegetarian…