Puerto Vallarta
Party hearty with throngs of young vacationers in this dark den of drink, sports and loud rock music even during the day. This joint has old-school dive…
Must-see nightlife in Mexico
Veracruz City
For a front-row seat for whatever’s happening in the zócalo on any given night, look no further than Prendes; it occupies a prize slice of real estate…
Guanajuato
This artifact-filled cantina offers an authentic Mexican drinking experience with accompanying botanas (tapas-like snacks served free with drinks, in this…
Isla Mujeres
The self-proclaimed 'house of music' has an open-air patio and rooftop terrace where you can catch mediocre rock cover bands and relatively subdued…
Guadalajara
La Prisciliana is both laid-back and stylish, with arched windows, burgundy walls, worn tile floors and an antique wood bar in an old colonial building…
Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec
Somewhere between diner, bistro and sports bar, the Big's tries to please groups with reasonably priced drinks. The eclectic food menu includes a bagan …
Centro Histórico
Amiable staff serve up tarros (mugs) of light or dark cerveza de barril (draft beer) in this boisterous beer hall. It's a great place to get a taste of…
Alameda Central
Now graffitied with pre-Hispanic psychedelia, this classic pulquería has been rediscovered by young artists and musicians. Despite this, the pulque (in a…
Veracruz City
With its romantic, tiki-torch ambience, this popular little seaside palapa is a laid-back place to grab a cocktail while checking out the ocean and the…
Veracruz City
For close on 200 years the highbrow Bar El Estribo, which is a part of the Gran Hotel Diligencia, has been keeping the good people of Veracruz lubricated…
Valladolid
Don't expect award-winning mixology at Los Portales, but as its name suggests, it's all about location: hard to beat the alfresco experience on the plaza…
Mexico City
Possibly the cleanest pulque dispenser in town, this institutional green hall near the Xochimilco train station is a friendly, family-run establishment…
Maison Francaise de Thé Caravanserai
Roma
This French- and 'Oriental'-style tearoom has more than 170 blends categorized by their intended use or effects. Visitors relax on comfortable sofas to…
Guadalajara
The favorite hangout of the younger set of Guadalajara’s gay scene, this colonial mansion has a cool staircase and ear-bleedingly loud house music, though…
Veracruz
This bar-restaurant, literally floating on the lake with its own boardwalk, is an idyllic place to lean back, sip cerveza and grab a bite to eat while the…
Guadalajara Region
This cafe on Ajijic's main square is gringo central – don't come here to practice your Spanish! It does serve a decent cup of java (from M$23) and it's a…
Acapulco
Yes, it’s cheesy and touristy. But dammit, it’s still lots of fun! Zany antics attract families by day while the party atmosphere brings in college kids…
Zacatecas
This sprawling cafe-bar in front of Ex-Templo de San Agustín offers a surreal mix of furniture, cocktails and post-drink munchies (plus good hot-chocolate…
Central Pacific Coast
With a sort of Texas-meets-Mexico vibe, this bar has plenty of soul and hosts a few local characters. Witticisms and worryingly named drink descriptions…
East of Mexico City
Overlooking the zócalo this pleasantly rowdy 2nd-story sports bar has an expansive drink list, several large-screen TVs and stone walls decorated with…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
The popular El Jarocho empire offers its famous menu options of creamy hot chocolates, iced coffee and its signature coffee blends from Veracruz. This…
Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec
Atop the designer Hábita Hotel, this open-air roof lounge does a brisk trade in exotic martinis, with sweeping city views as a backdrop and videos…
Xalapa
A cousin to the renowned branch in Veracruz city, the Gran Café is a fine place for a morning coffee and breakfast, but it lacks the atmosphere and sense…
Centro Histórico
The rooftop lounge bar at boutique hotel Downtown Mexico has become a popular spot to chill over drinks. It's also been known to host the occasional pool…
Veracruz
On the joining point of the two main plazas and serving great coffee, cakes and various simple snacks, El K-Fecito is a good spot to relax and take in the…
Todos Santos
This arty cafe is always packed with the local expats here for great coffee and gut-busting breakfasts. On hot days, go for one of its dozen-plus frappés…
Morelia
Even if you're not here for a play, dip into Teatro Ocampo to visit this elegant 1st-floor cafe with a jazzy soundtrack and pictures of theater and cinema…
West of Mexico City
On the zócalo, this colourful cafe serves good artesanal Mexican coffee, plenty of simple vegetarian snacks, such as sandwiches and chilaquiles, and…
Chiapas
One of numerous good cafes on the Jardín de la Marimba, this one serves an organic, indigenous-grown brew and sports low-slung black sofas that may lead…
Isla Cozumel
This two-story Mexican pub is a good spot to brush up on your Spanish, as locals outnumber the tourists most nights. It's a fun, even refreshing, change…
Roma
Chilango families flock to this quaint diner for the pan dulce (sweet bread) and café con leche, dispensed from two pitchers, Veracruz-style.
Cabo San Lucas
Buy your big puffer from the shelves of Cuban cigars then step next door for a real deal mojito served in a giant jam jar with plenty of fresh mint (but…
Cuernavaca
This small bar has very functional leatherette tables and isn't especially romantic. The real attraction is the very cheap beer and cocktails and jubilant…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
Popular with 30-somethings, this small Zona Rosa bear den has a slightly more mature air than many of the bars lining the raucous gay strip on nearby…
Centro Histórico
Run by a family of coffee traders from Orizaba, this popular, unassuming coffee shop on fashionable Regina prepares good Veracruz coffee and Lebanese…
Western Central Highlands
Next door to the Huentli handicrafts shop, Larabica sells good lattes and cappuccinos from an open-air storefront.
Zacatecas
This popular and atmospheric bar is patronized by a well-dressed crowd of students and arty types. Like most bars in Zacatecas, it gets going late.
Mérida
Live bands play rock, reggae and ska in this down-to-eath pub's rear beer garden. Inside there's a pool table if you're up for a game of stick.
Veracruz City
Definitely a neighborhood favorite, this tiny bar illuminated by black lights seems to host lots of laughter and cocktail-induced intimacy.
Palenque
Weary traveler, welcome to air-conditioned nirvana complete with a huge menu of coffees and board games to while away a wet afternoon.
