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City Guide - Mexico City - Nightlife | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nightlife The nightlife in Mexico City is as lively and varied as everything else the city has to offer. From gentle supper clubs with floorshows to loud, brash nightclubs, and from piano bars to antros (or disco-bars) and bars that offer traditional Mexican music - all tastes are catered for. The most popular districts are Polanco, San Angel, Coyoacán and, more recently, Condesa (a residential neighbourhood just south of La Zona Rosa). La Zona Rosa is still a popular nightspot but has lost ground to Polanco in recent years. Nightlife starts late in Mexico and ends late. There are no licensing hours but many bars and nightclubs are closed on Sundays. Prices of drinks and admission vary enormously depending on the area. When drinking alcohol, it is worth remembering that, because of the high altitude, one drink in Mexico City can have the effect of two at lower altitudes. The minimum age for drinking in Mexico is 18 years old. In the popular districts, thieves are rife, so remember to keep your wallet well guarded. Tiempo Libre (website: www.tiempolibre.com.mx), published every Thursday, is the weekly listings magazine (in Spanish only) and costs US$1 at newspaper-stands. The English-language newspaper, The News (website: www.novedades.com.mx/the-news.html), has a brief what's-on guide at the weekend. Bars: In the Centro Histórico, La Opera Bar, Avenida Cinco de Mayo 10, is a late-nineteenth-century establishment with a lively atmosphere. Look out for a bullet hole in the ceiling, said to have come from Pancho Villa's revolver. Beer-lovers should head for Salón Corona, Bolívar 24, which serves almost every known Mexican beer. For another Mexican speciality, head for La Casa de las Sirenas, Guatemala 32, a bar and restaurant offering over 250 varieties of tequila. For a young crowd and loud music head to Bar Roco, Filomeno Mata 17, or the very fashionable Buddah, Madero 6. La Planta Alta, Filomeno Mata 11, has a roof terrace with great views. Salon Paris, Donceles 3, is a popular gay club and the music is tropical on Friday and Saturday nights. Mezzanote, Presidente Masaryk 407, Polanco, is a lively restaurant and bar, with disco music Thursday to Saturday. The nostalgic ex-pat Shelty, Campos Eliseos 204 (facing Chapultepec Park) is a wood-panelled English pub in the Nikko Hotel. The popular Hijo del Cuervo, Jardín del Centenario 17, attracts a youthful mix of Mexicans and foreigners and occasionally features live music. Casinos: These are illegal in Mexico. Clubs: El Cirio, Carranza 73, in the eighteenth-century Antiguo Palacio de los Condes de Xala, is the latest hotspot for Mexico City's in-crowd, although La Llorona, Mesones 87, is also popular. For a more avant-garde crowd, try Pervert Lounge, Uruguay 70. Mauna Loa, Avenida San Jeronimo 240, is a popular Polynesian nightclub with live music for dancing and a Polynesian floorshow. Restaurant Chez'ar in Hotel Aristos, Paseo de la Reforma 276, has a band playing live dance music, from the rumba to the fox trot, while Antillanos, Francisco Pimentel 78, is the place to go for salsa dancing, with its large dance floor and enthusiastic crowd. For salsa in a traditional setting, bandleader Pepe Avelavo and his orchestra provide live music at El Gran Leon, Queretaro 225, Colonia Roma. Live music: Mexico City attracts big-name international rock and pop acts. The main venues are Auditorio Nacional, Paseo de la Reforma 50, Teatro Metropólitan, Indepencia 90, and the Palacio de los Deportes, at Avenida Río Churubusco and Calle Añil. For more home-grown acts try Rockotitlán, Avenida Insurgentes Sur 953, on Plaza Baja California. New Orleans Jazz, Avenida Revolucion 1655, San Angel, is classic jazz bar. Bar Jorongo, in the Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel, Paseo de la Reforma 325, has been one of the city's popular nightspots for more than 25 years, where big-name mariachis play Mexican music. Alternatively, visit Plaza Garibaldi, on Eje Central between Calle Republica de Honduras and Calle Republica de Peru. This square, lined with bars and restaurants, comes alive from about 2000-0000 when the mariachi bands gather, dressed in black, silver-studded suits and large hats. |
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