Must-see entertainment in Mexico

  • Fusion

    Playa del Carmen

    This beachside bar and grill stages live music, along with a fun belly-dancing and fire-dancing show. The fire-dancing comes later in the evening (around…

  • 500px Photo ID: 55641504 - lucha libre

    Arena México

    Mexico City

    One of Mexico City’s two wrestling venues, the 17,000-seat Arena México is taken over by a circus atmosphere each week, with flamboyant luchadores …

  • Los Voladores

    East of Mexico City

    In the danza de los voladores (dance of the ‘flyers’), airborne performers whirl around a 30m pole, suspended by their ankles while playing flutes. On…

  • Arena Coliseo

    Guadalajara

    Watching masked luchadores (wrestlers) with names like El Terrible and Blue Panther gut-punching each other makes for a memorable night out. Expect…

  • Salón Tenampa

    Centro Histórico

    Graced with murals of the giants of Mexican song and enlivened by its own songsters – and an extensive tequila, mezcal and food menu – Tenampa is a…

  • Jazzatlán

    Cholula

    One of Mexico's jazz hot spots has diverse local and international musicians (playing live from 9.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays; at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm Sundays)…

  • Cineteca Nacional

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    Mexican and foreign indie movies are shown daily on 10 screens at the architecturally interesting Cineteca in Coyoacán in the south. In November the large…

  • Loot

    Zihuatanejo

    Hipster central Loot wears many hats, and we like them all. There's the downstairs cafe and art showroom that serves Veracruz coffee and imaginative…

  • Turquoise Beach Bar

    Isla Cozumel

    Rock cover bands, some surprisingly good, play fun sunset shows several times a week. If you get tired of the beer routine, order a cocktail or potent…

  • Mar & Wana

    Puerto Escondido

    Occupying part of a rocky iguana habitat, this sand-floor garden hosts live bands and DJs, while an on-site food court offers gourmet burgers, tacos and…

  • H Roof Nightclub

    Cancún

    Part nightclub, part live music venue, the exclusive H Roof has emerged as one of the Zona Hotelera's top after-hours spots. On most nights, resident or…

  • Ballet Folklórico de México

    Alameda Central

    The Ballet Folklórico de México is a two-hour festive blur of costumes, music and dance from all over Mexico. Tickets are usually available the day of the…

  • Celia's Cafe

    Puebla

    Live music adds old-world romance to the poblano decor at this sprawling bar-restaurant. Dine to musicians playing trova (troubadour-type folk music; 8pm…

  • Cafe Bar Revolución

    San Cristóbal de las Casas

    There’s always something fun at Revolución, with two live bands nightly and an eclectic line up of salsa, rock, blues, jazz and reggae. Dance downstairs…

  • Mora Mora

    Cancún

    Local musicians and artists gather at this muralled underground venue, which operates as a restaurant and gallery as well. In Mora Mora's rear garden, you…

  • Campo Charro Jalisco

    Guadalajara

    Charreadas (or charrerías), similar to rodeos, are held at noon most Sundays in this ring just behind Parque Agua Azul south of the city center. Charros …

  • La Verbena

    Playa del Carmen

    The self-proclaimed 'Fine Music House' hosts a wide range of live music, from hip-shaking cumbias (music originating from Colombia) to reggae and ska…

  • Galeón Pirata Espacio Cultural

    Laguna Bacalar

    This indie cultural center hosts live music, art exhibits, movie screenings and plays, while doubling as a restaurant-bar. Hours can be erratic, but when…

  • Café Iguana

    Monterrey

    The epicenter of alternative Monterrey, where the pierced, multi-tattooed, punk-loving tribe gathers en masse, both inside and on the street out front…

  • Parker & Lenox

    Zona Rosa & Reforma

    Named after legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker and famed Harlem jazz club Lenox Lounge, Parker & Lenox is part American-style diner (specializing in…

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    Pan y Circo

    Roma

    In trendy Roma, this three-story bar makes a nice place to unwind over mezcal or cocktails, especially during the week when the crowd thins out. On the…

  • Teatro Cervantes

    Guanajuato

    Has a full schedule of performances during the Cervantino festival and less regular shows at other times. Look for posters advertising shows. Statues of…

  • Palacio de Bellas Artes

    Alameda Central

    The Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional and prestigious opera companies perform in Bellas Artes’ ornate theater, while chamber groups appear in the recital halls…

  • Barba Azul

    Mexico City

    Welcome to the inferno. Red lighting and colorful artwork of dancers engulfed in flames set the mood at this cabaret-style dance hall, where you still see…

  • Lienzo Charro El Potrillo

    East of Mexico City

    Vibrant Saturday dinner shows at this ranch move from pre-Hispanic times to the modern day through different folkloric dances, costumes and musical…

  • Salón Los Ángeles

    Mexico City

    Fans of dance-hall music shouldn’t miss the outstanding orchestras or the graceful dancers who fill the vast floor of this atmospheric ballroom from 1937…

  • Casa de la Cultura

    Morelia

    With the Conservatorio de las Rosas, this is a pillar of Morelia’s cultural life. Housed in an old Carmelite monastery dating from the 17th century, it’s…

  • Museo Estatal de Culturas Populares

    Monterrey

    Housed in a historic mansion, this Barrio Antiguo art center is dedicated to the arts that originate in the state of Nuevo Leon. The center regularly…

  • La Nueva Babel

    Oaxaca City

    A mural of Bowie as Aladdin Sane juxtaposed with the Virgin of Guadalupe sets Babel's alternative tone, a kind of Mexican dive bar with regular live music…

  • Conservatorio de las Rosas

    Morelia

    Founded in 1743, this is the oldest music conservatory in the Americas and remains something of an ‘old-school’ music college. In its Alhambra-esque…

  • Casa De La Cultura De Nuevo León

    Monterrey

    The lovely 1891 Gulf Line railroad station now houses a stage that regularly hosts dance, theater and independent films, including live music every…

  • El Paliacate

    San Cristóbal de las Casas

    An alternative cultural space with a small restaurant and a bar serving wine, beer and artisan mezcal, El Paliacate's main stage hosts music events…

  • Centro Cultural Tijuana

    Tijuana

    Tijuana’s sophisticated arts and cultural center would make any comparably sized city north of the border proud. It houses several art galleries, the…

  • Frontón México

    Alameda Central

    The lovely art deco building Frontón México hosts professional jai alai matches, one of the world's fastest ball sports, resembling squash. If you've…

  • Casa Franca

    Roma

    This upstairs bar is a labyrinth with more moods than a house party. The live jazz plays out in an intimate living room, while the corner balcony…

  • Split Coconut

    Puerto Escondido

    A favorite of expats, this beach bar hosts several live-music nights a week from about December to March, featuring talented local and visiting musicians…

  • El Parián

    Guadalajara

    A rambling 19th century complex in Tlaquepaque made up of dozens of small cantinas that all share one huge courtyard occupied by droves of mariachi. From…

  • La Perla

    Centro Histórico

    Once a red-light venue, this cabaret has been reborn in the age of irony as a cradle of kitsch, with hilarious drag shows featuring traditional Mexican…

  • Pizza Papi

    Mahahual

    Not only does this feel-good Italian-owned place make some of the best pizza in town, it's also one of the few spots in Mahahual where you can catch…

  • Centro Nacional de las Artes

    Mexico City

    This sprawling cultural institute near Coyoacán has many free events across the artistic spectrum, including contemporary dance, theater, art shows and…

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