4 Best Nightlife in Oaxaca, Mexico

Owned and run by musicians, Atemoztli Foro resto-bar overlooks Zicatela Beach from an airy second-floor dance floor in the heart of the Zicatela strip. Each night offers a different musical theme: take your pick from reggae, rock, blues, Mexicana, salsa, or Latin rock performed by the talented house band fronted by Vicente "El Diablo."

Bar Fly is the place to party to the hottest techno, house, electronic, and dance music mixes by local and visiting DJs. Popular on theme nights and open until almost dawn, it's upstairs from Hosteria Banana's restaurant.

Set under a dramatic dome and filled with masks and artwork, Casa Babylon is a magical blend of book exchange, coffee shop, and nightclub. While you nurse your beer, you can challenge friends to a game of Scrabble or Monopoly. Evenings see live music and theme nights. It's next to Hotel Arco Iris across from Playa Zicatela.

Live blues, easy listening, and classic rock music on Saturday nights draw an older set to this rustic beach bar on the sand overlooking the waves at Playa Marinero. You can order barbecue ribs from the open-air grill, but the main draw is dancing barefoot under the stars.