303 Best Bars in 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.

Café Bar Revolución serves great breakfasts and lunches, in addition to having a number of good drink specials. Most nights see live jazz, rock, or ska performances.

A coffee shop by day, cute Café Lindo transforms itself into a bar at night. There's live music most evenings, usually a trio crooning Mexican music.

The café-bar at Mérida's landmark 1908 theater is one of the most happening nightspots in town. Tables spill onto the street, where locals gather to hear balladeers singing romantic and politically inspired songs. The drinks are expensive, and the food is nothing special, so only go if you want culture, live music, and an opportunity to splurge.

Closed off for pedestrians and lined with bars, this street is basically one long pub crawl, spanning several blocks and all kinds of different establishments. You’ll be approached with menus by the hype people for various bars as you walk; feel free to take a quick look and move on to the next option if a place doesn't interest you (they're used to it). La Terraza and Bukowski's Bar are particularly good for people-watching and drinks, although you're better off looking elsewhere for dining.

Popular with locals (including families) as well as visitors, the "15 Letters" bar is small, lively, and fun. Drinks are a cut above the usual cantina fare, and the food is good, too. But a cantina it definitely is. On the walls are hundreds of works of art by Mexican artists, known and unknown. It has live norteño music most nights after 8 pm. It's just a few blocks southwest of the cathedral and Plaza de Armas, and open Monday through Saturday 1 pm to 2 am.

One of a handful of cantinas competing for the title of oldest in Mexico (it was founded over a century ago), Tío Pepe is about as atmospheric as it gets. A Tiffany-style stained glass window, a heavy wooden bar running the length of the room, swinging wooden doors, and unflattering fluorescent lights add up to make this the paradigmatic Mexico City cantina.

Come here for the ambience and cocktails (the food has mixed reviews) like the blackberry mojito or house margarita. Once the home of the owner’s grandparents, the building dates back to 1927 and its original brick walls are still intact, adorned with historic family photographs. The courtyard, strung with lanterns and fairy lights, is a pleasant place to enjoy the live mariachi. Happy hour from 4 to 5 pm on mojitos, margaritas and sangrias. 

Waiters here will occasionally abandon their posts to start singing or performing comical skits. It's not unusual for them to roust everyone from their seats to join a conga line before going back to serving food and drinks.

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.

Midway between Coyoacán's plazas and the Cineteca Nacional film center, this spacious, conversation-filled bar and grill stands out for its extensive selection of both Mexican and international craft beers on tap and by the bottle. But there's also a big all-day-and-night food menu featuring pretty tasty pizzas, burgers, pastas, sandwiches, and the like.

Cozumel's first microbrewery serves a range of delicious brews from lighter ales to darker beers. The pub fare pairs well with the brews offered, and the pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven with excellent results.

This two-story brewery is a game changer for Ensenada, luring locals and travelers alike for craft beers in a warehouse-like setting. They have live music, jam sessions, open-mike night, and NFL Sunday. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events and specials.

If you don't want to deal with the long lines or hefty entrance fees at Coco Bongo, CHC (or Crazy Hot Coyote, the name everyone calls it by) is El Centro's best spot for music, dancing, and entertainment. The MX$200 cover charge converts into a food or drink credit. There are burlesque shows every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Cheleros Bar is the perfect place to have a beer and watch the sunset in a nice and comfortable setting. 

Popular among the trendy, local crowd, this three-story bar around the corner from Médano serves up some of the very best cocktails in town, handcrafted with fresh ingredients. Thirsty patrons spill out into the street on weekend evenings, but will happily clear the way for you to order a drink.

People of all ages enjoy a night out at the lively Colima Bay Café, with its whimsical style, jazzy background music, and variety of seating options—including pigskin barstools. Call ahead to ask what's on the schedule for the evening; some nights get pretty rowdy here.

Brought to you by the makers of the famed Coco Bongo, Congo Bar is hard to miss. This spot stops traffic due to the go-go dancers who perform on open platforms lining the street. Expect Jell-O shots, confetti showers, and loud music. A regular dance floor ticket costs $47.

You'll find a wide range of bars, food stalls, and other diversions at this trendy and festive complex made up entirely of repurposed shipping containers, featuring plenty of outdoor seating. You'll also find galleries and shops that are great for people-watching. It's a favorite stop after visiting the nearby pyramid and Museo Regional de Cholula.

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.

Open later than any other venue in La Paz, this is the place to wind up if you have one more dance left in you before calling it a night. Tacos are sold for under a buck-fifty, should you need some sobering up, too.

On most days, this restaurant at the boutique solar-powered VIDASOUL Hotel is a quiet place to enjoy a drink or meal overlooking gorgeous beachfront views of the Sea of Cortez. But on Friday and Saturday night in-season (November through May), live bands play, and it becomes the best of the scant nightlife options between Los Barriles and San José del Cabo. Locals and visitors alike party down, East Cape style, and the restaurant closes when the last guest goes to bed.

In a two-story redbrick brewery on a quiet alley in historic Romita, you can sample some of Mexico City's finest craft brews, from a crisp golden pale ale to a toasty and rich porter. There's a small selection of bar food, and occasionally musicians perform.

Previously known as Dady'O, Cancún's original dance club has rebranded itself as D'Cave and is still very "in" with the younger set. A giant screen projects music videos above the always-packed dance floor, while laser lights whirl across the crowd. During spring break, Hawaiian Bikini contests make the place even livelier. It's only open on Saturday from 9:30 pm to 3 am, and a general access ticket costs $30.

Meant to evoke the inviting, laid-back trappings of a friend's (very large) departamento—or apartment—this often packed lounge has DJs spinning trancy tunes on turntables. It's a fun place to chill and mingle before going clubbing, or a place to enjoy while the night is winding down. Some nights there's live music.

Miami-chic with retro white patent leather chairs and a palapa roof, Diablito Cha Cha Cha serves up sushi and DJ tunes as late as 3 am.

This cocktail bar is the main "late night" option in Todos Santos, staying open until a whopping 11 pm. Visited primarily by the local expat community, owner and bartender James Katona is happy to chat up new faces as he slings his signature margaritas. Decorated with quirky artifacts that are mostly gifts from regulars, The Dirty Rose is located within the unmarked building with the thatched roof (speakeasy meets tiki bar, anyone?) across from Shut Up Frank's.

This popular bar by the beach shows most live sports events, features a pool table, and plays good dance music until 4 am every day.

This small bar in Centro has lively drag performances each night from Wednesday to Sunday. While it is predominantly a gay bar, everyone is welcome.