Playa del Carmen
This beachside bar and grill stages live music, along with a fun belly-dancing and fire-dancing show. The fire-dancing comes later in the evening (around…
Must-see entertainment in Mexico
Mexico City
One of Mexico City’s two wrestling venues, the 17,000-seat Arena México is taken over by a circus atmosphere each week, with flamboyant luchadores …
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East of Mexico City
In the danza de los voladores (dance of the ‘flyers’), airborne performers whirl around a 30m pole, suspended by their ankles while playing flutes. On…
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Guadalajara
Watching masked luchadores (wrestlers) with names like El Terrible and Blue Panther gut-punching each other makes for a memorable night out. Expect…
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Centro Histórico
Graced with murals of the giants of Mexican song and enlivened by its own songsters – and an extensive tequila, mezcal and food menu – Tenampa is a…
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Cholula
One of Mexico's jazz hot spots has diverse local and international musicians (playing live from 9.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays; at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm Sundays)…
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Coyoacán & San Ángel
Mexican and foreign indie movies are shown daily on 10 screens at the architecturally interesting Cineteca in Coyoacán in the south. In November the large…
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Zihuatanejo
Hipster central Loot wears many hats, and we like them all. There's the downstairs cafe and art showroom that serves Veracruz coffee and imaginative…
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Isla Cozumel
Rock cover bands, some surprisingly good, play fun sunset shows several times a week. If you get tired of the beer routine, order a cocktail or potent…
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Puerto Escondido
Occupying part of a rocky iguana habitat, this sand-floor garden hosts live bands and DJs, while an on-site food court offers gourmet burgers, tacos and…
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Cancún
Part nightclub, part live music venue, the exclusive H Roof has emerged as one of the Zona Hotelera's top after-hours spots. On most nights, resident or…
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Puebla
Live music adds old-world romance to the poblano decor at this sprawling bar-restaurant. Dine to musicians playing trova (troubadour-type folk music; 8pm…
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San Cristóbal de las Casas
There’s always something fun at Revolución, with two live bands nightly and an eclectic line up of salsa, rock, blues, jazz and reggae. Dance downstairs…
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Cancún
Local musicians and artists gather at this muralled underground venue, which operates as a restaurant and gallery as well. In Mora Mora's rear garden, you…
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Guadalajara
Charreadas (or charrerías), similar to rodeos, are held at noon most Sundays in this ring just behind Parque Agua Azul south of the city center. Charros …
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Playa del Carmen
The self-proclaimed 'Fine Music House' hosts a wide range of live music, from hip-shaking cumbias (music originating from Colombia) to reggae and ska…
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Galeón Pirata Espacio Cultural
Laguna Bacalar
This indie cultural center hosts live music, art exhibits, movie screenings and plays, while doubling as a restaurant-bar. Hours can be erratic, but when…
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Monterrey
The epicenter of alternative Monterrey, where the pierced, multi-tattooed, punk-loving tribe gathers en masse, both inside and on the street out front…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
Named after legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker and famed Harlem jazz club Lenox Lounge, Parker & Lenox is part American-style diner (specializing in…
Guanajuato
Has a full schedule of performances during the Cervantino festival and less regular shows at other times. Look for posters advertising shows. Statues of…
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Mexico City
Welcome to the inferno. Red lighting and colorful artwork of dancers engulfed in flames set the mood at this cabaret-style dance hall, where you still see…
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East of Mexico City
Vibrant Saturday dinner shows at this ranch move from pre-Hispanic times to the modern day through different folkloric dances, costumes and musical…
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Mexico City
Fans of dance-hall music shouldn’t miss the outstanding orchestras or the graceful dancers who fill the vast floor of this atmospheric ballroom from 1937…
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Morelia
With the Conservatorio de las Rosas, this is a pillar of Morelia’s cultural life. Housed in an old Carmelite monastery dating from the 17th century, it’s…
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Museo Estatal de Culturas Populares
Monterrey
Housed in a historic mansion, this Barrio Antiguo art center is dedicated to the arts that originate in the state of Nuevo Leon. The center regularly…
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Oaxaca City
A mural of Bowie as Aladdin Sane juxtaposed with the Virgin of Guadalupe sets Babel's alternative tone, a kind of Mexican dive bar with regular live music…
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Morelia
Founded in 1743, this is the oldest music conservatory in the Americas and remains something of an ‘old-school’ music college. In its Alhambra-esque…
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Casa De La Cultura De Nuevo León
Monterrey
The lovely 1891 Gulf Line railroad station now houses a stage that regularly hosts dance, theater and independent films, including live music every…
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San Cristóbal de las Casas
An alternative cultural space with a small restaurant and a bar serving wine, beer and artisan mezcal, El Paliacate's main stage hosts music events…
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Tijuana
Tijuana’s sophisticated arts and cultural center would make any comparably sized city north of the border proud. It houses several art galleries, the…
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Puerto Escondido
A favorite of expats, this beach bar hosts several live-music nights a week from about December to March, featuring talented local and visiting musicians…
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Guadalajara
A rambling 19th century complex in Tlaquepaque made up of dozens of small cantinas that all share one huge courtyard occupied by droves of mariachi. From…
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Centro Histórico
Once a red-light venue, this cabaret has been reborn in the age of irony as a cradle of kitsch, with hilarious drag shows featuring traditional Mexican…
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Mahahual
Not only does this feel-good Italian-owned place make some of the best pizza in town, it's also one of the few spots in Mahahual where you can catch…
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Mexico City
This sprawling cultural institute near Coyoacán has many free events across the artistic spectrum, including contemporary dance, theater, art shows and…
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Oaxaca City
The city’s main theater is a riot of frescoes and gilded boxes built in Louis XV style in 1909 during a renaissance of Mexican theater known as chico…
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Puerto Vallarta
This appealing upstairs venue might be constructed out of breeze blocks, bricks and planks of wood, but it provides plenty of class with regular live…
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Puerto Escondido
A varied program of movies, from recent feature films to art house, classics and documentaries, is shown on the sands of Playa Bacocho at Hotel Suites…
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Puerto Vallarta
This outdoor amphitheater, a Vallarta landmark, is backed by Los Arcos, a row of arches that has become a symbol of the city. It's regularly used as an…
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Centro Histórico
A vital component in the rebirth of the centro, Zinco is a subterranean supper club featuring local jazz and funk outfits as well as touring artists and…
