Zipolite
Take in a glorious sunset over cocktails while swaying back and forth on a swing at this palapa beach bar. Often hosts live music events on weekends.
Must-see nightlife in Mexico
San José del Cabo
Los Barriles stocks over 300 varieties of tequila and keeps at least two dozen bottles open for tasting. Prices are a bit steep, but the selection is…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
This classic Mexican cantina has revolutionary memorabilia on the walls and a good mix of students, 30-somethings and cowboys. It has live music most…
Ixtapa
One of the better places in town for a strong coffee. If you need something stronger, the original Zihuatanejo location (Altamirano 19) serves cocktails…
Condesa
This artisanal teahouse has walls lined with teas from around the world. Order one to enjoy with a cake or cookie, or buy a jar to take back home with you.
Veracruz
Books, coffee and art. This small literary cafe connected to a book store is handily located between Parque Castillo and the Museo Arte del Estado.
Acapulco
Reinas karaoke bar and nightclub is a rough-around-the-edges but popular bar serving a mostly gay clientele on Avenida Costera. Admission is free.
Cabo San Lucas
A classier option than most for a Corona or cocktail. Moody lighting, rustic furniture and a curious (and entertaining) Día de Muertos theme.
Mazatlán
This colorful club attracts a fun-loving, mostly gay crowd. It's a friendly, inclusive place with nightly live shows featuring go-go dancers.
Puerto Vallarta
This palapa-style beachfront spot is famous for its gargantuan margaritas, free-flowing buckets of beer and perfect sunset views.
Puerto Morelos
Posada Amor has a quiet bar where you can listen to cover bands play on Monday and Thursday night. It's located southwest of the plaza.
San Patricio-Melaque
The choice spot for adult beverages. It's set above the plaza and is an open, airy bar that cranks the music up pretty loud later on.
San Miguel de Allende
This roof-terrace cocktail lounge is a gay-friendly, laid-back place with a young and smart crowd; it's a top spot for sundowners.
Guadalajara Region
This cafe-bar under the portal of the southeast corner of the main square is a delightful place to relax and sip something cool.
Valladolid
A little pub and bistro where you can catch a televised sporting event or chat over Mexican draft beer and well-made pizzas.
Inland Michoacán
This little hole in the wall at the south end of Avenida 20 de Noviembre is an excellent place for coffee and a quick snack.
Sonora
The town’s most popular bar, with a pool table, outside tables on the Plaza de Armas and live music on weekends.
Oaxaca City
Popular cafe with a tempting cake case, aromatic coffee and a couple of other branches dotted around the city.
Cancún
Lining a downtown street with motorcycles and a small crowd every weekend, Route 666 is an open-air bar catering to rockers and middle-class bikers. Live…
Mexico City
This classic pulquería, a block east of the main market, Mercado de Xochimilco, has a cheerful sawdust-on-the-floor vibe, with a mixed-age crowd enjoying…
Cholula
In the pyramid's shadow, this raucous, family-run bar has been in business since 1939. Painted in bright colors and decorated with an assortment of old…
Inland Michoacán
Located in the basement at the west end of the Fábrica San Pedro, this club is the perfect blend of sleek and comfortable and offers the best night out in…
Centro Histórico
If you simply can't live without fútbol (soccer in US gringo-speak), this downtown drinking establishment is the go-to place to get your sports fix. The…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
This grand coffeehouse is a traditional haunt for writers and journalists, who linger for hours over a café americano. People come for the history, not…
Centro Histórico
More than a century old, this atmospheric gentlemen’s salon is now open to all but seems preserved in amber, with ornate carved paneling and well-used…
North of Mexico City
Weekends get busy here with students and older couples head-nodding (and sometimes spontaneously dancing) to pop hits and Mexican classics. Start the…
Guanajuato
Spread over two buildings on either side of a steep, narrow side street, this student favorite is always busy with modish young things who love the owners…
Morelia
On the hillside about 4km south of town, Morelia’s hottest club thumps, bumps and grinds to house and pop tunes. Designed to look like an actual hotel,…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
This restaurant-cantina has been drawing Mexican celebrities to San Ángel since 1931, evidenced by the stars’ photos on the walls. On Friday and Saturday…
Roma
A grand, converted cantina with rediscovered Yucatán cuisine and mezcal was bound to attract hip patrons seeking cinematic old Mexico. It's the most…
Oaxaca City
The Jardín has a peerless position beneath the arches at the Zócalo's southwest corner. You come here to be serenaded by funky marimba ensembles, watch…
Centro Histórico
This popular mezcal joint on the Regina student-filled bar strip is a hangover waiting to happen. In addition to mezcal, Mexicano makes it own microbrew…
Taxco
A clientele of local roughs knock back stiff drinks in this kitsch-chic bar, which displays memorabilia harking back to when it opened in 1930. Upstairs,…
Acapulco
Ahoy, matey! From a design shaped like the deck of a ship to women in corsair costumes dancing on tables, this over-the-top, pirate-themed pub is one of…
Puebla
A young crowd hangs out at this arty venue, decorated with graffiti murals and '50s wallpaper. Live bands and DJs play in the cavernous bar, while the…
San Miguel de Allende
Four people's a crowd in this tiny place that's just the spot for those who know you don't drink a cappuccino in the afternoon! The trained owner-barista…
San Miguel de Allende
An oversized face above the doorway of this upscale disco surveys the fashionable young Mexican crowd queuing outside. While the club is named for Padre…
East of Mexico City
On the west side of the zócalo, this is the place to sip homemade hooch. There are 36 flavors, including liquors infused with coffee, limes, berries – you…
Guadalajara
This is a cool Chapultepec bar plugging cervezas artesanales (craft beer) and spirits for M$19 and M$39 respectively all day and till 8pm on Friday and…
