16 Best Bars in Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula, Mexico

This is a townie hangout joint, but then again, that’s everywhere in the East Cape. Cactus is one of your best bets in the entire region for nightlife; it can get a little sloppy as it gets late, but you are guaranteed to befriend a friendly expat or 10 on any given visit. There’s karaoke every Saturday, though a bigger crowd usually congregates on an outdoor patio with a billiards table.

One of the coziest places to relax on Playa El Médano is on an umbrella-covered daybed at Corazón. Attentive waiters are quick to deliver your food and drink orders, and a rope around the perimeters keeps outside vendors from disturbing your peace. It gets crowded, so reserve a space in advance and arrive early to guarantee the best experience.

Liter-size bottles of beer (called caguamas throughout Mexico, but in Baja specifically, you can also say ballena, which means "whale") line the shelf behind this classic bar, part of which has been converted into an epic stage for live music. Every night of the week from 10 pm until 1 am a band performs either rock n' roll or banda, traditional Mexican music with brass instruments.

Cheap drinks are the name of the game at Happy Ending, whether you're looking for an early evening pregame or a last call nightcap. They're known for housing an impressive number of beer pong tables as well as an all-hours deal of two beers and two shots for just $5. (The house tequila is unspeakably foul, however, so maybe opt for just the beer.)

Hussong's Cantina has been an Ensenada landmark since 1892, and has changed little since then. Ask anyone here and they'll tell you that this is where the margarita was invented by bartender Don Carlos Orozco in October 1941; however, this is just one of several local establishments that state that claim to fame. Regardless, come by Saturday when you can get two margaritas for the price of one, or two-for-one beers every Tuesday and Thursday. A security guard stands by the front door to handle the often-rowdy crowd. The floor is covered with sawdust, and the noise is usually deafening, pierced by mariachi and ranchera musicians and the whoops and hollers of the pie-eyed.

If you belong to the 50 and over crowd who likes to rock out, you'll have a riot of a time at Jungle Bar. This outdoor spot is always packed, thanks to its low prices and live music. It can take forever to get your drinks, though, so take advantage of their two-for-one deals and order several at once.

Mango Deck is "spring break" personified, from the costumed employees pouring shots directly into partygoers' mouths to the "booty shaking" competitions held on a stage in the sand (and livestreamed to their website). It's unquestionably Cabo's most popular beachfront venue, whose music you can hear blasting from every direction. As it's also a restaurant, children are inexplicably allowed and occasionally present, but we strongly recommend limiting your party to consenting adults only.

This marina-facing hole-in-the-wall turns into a powerhouse party destination, filled to the brim with tourists and locals alike. Expect a loud but well-curated playlist of music and a hopping dance floor.

The massive Papas & Beer attracts a rowdy college crowd. There are daily specials on shots and cocktails, as well as regular drinking contests. Live music takes place on weekends. 

Papas & Beer, one of the most popular bars in Baja California, draws a young, energetic spring-break crowd for drinking and dancing on the beach. The $5 beers and mechanical bull make for an entertaining combination.

Slim's calls itself "the world's smallest bar," and you'll be lucky to get a seat at this kitschy four-seat space that plays honky-tonk music and serves $3 beers and tequila shots. Signed dollar bills line the walls and ceiling, and a buzzing, standing crowd loiters out the door and onto the Boulevard Marina sidewalk each evening, vibing off its energy.

This warm, unpretentious spot has all-day drink deals and tasty Hawaiian-inspired food. There’s often live music, drawing in the same faces night after night. Credit cards aren’t accepted, but you can pay with either pesos or dollars, or even PayPal and Venmo.

Although Taboo does have a handful of lounge chairs on the sand, the real party is at the beachfront pool, where a DJ spins music that gets everyone dancing. It's a place best enjoyed with a group of friends, as those in rented cabanas and ordering bottle service are given preferential treatment. Beyond food and drinks, you can also request a hookah to enjoy amid the sea breeze.

It would be easy to pass by this nonchalant sidewalk bar without a second thought, but you'd be remiss: virtually everything (the quality of the drinks, live music, general energy) is better than you'd expect. The crowd is quite diverse in terms of age and nationality, but everyone there is ready to have a good time. Bonus points if you hit the dance floor!

This tiny, cash-only palapa bar has a diehard fan following, many of whom will wear its branded merch around town and abroad. Stop by for margaritas made with fresh-squeezed juice and conversation with the friendly owners and regulars. Pace yourself, though, as these drinks have been known to pack a punch!

For a casual yet refined bar scene, this chic spot is a favorite of Ensenada's many vintners, chefs, and brewers. Showcasing local beers from the region, as well as wines from nearby Valle del Guadalupe, the friendly owners have literally mastered the craft with their own cervezas that landed them the titles of Mexico's best beer in 2015 and 2019. Beer tastings in their brew pub are available by reservation only. If you're hungry, Wendlandt serves elevated bar food using local ingredients. The nondescript bar is simply marked by their logo and an antique door.