Central Pacific Coast of Mexico Nightlife

Clubs and cafes, bars and burlesque, Guadalajara lays claim to all varieties of nightlife. The cafes and quieter spots generally close in the early evening, but the nightlife crowd dances well into early morning hours. Plaza del Sol and Vallarta host the city’s club scene, while bars are further east. Guadalajara’s downtown area supports a thriving gay culture. Since public transportation ends at 10pm, taxis are the best way to get around the city’s scattered nightspots.

Cheaper, calmer, and closer to the centro, Guadalajara’s bars and cafes are much more intimate than its pulsating clubs. Loud saloons and bars line Calzada Independencia, while a cafe culture predominates along Vallarta heading west.

• La Maestranza, Maestranza 179 (☎3613 5878), near Cotilla. Bullfighting memorabilia lines the walls, a backdrop to the loud dance hits blaring over the intimate wicker tables. Open daily noon-3am. AmEx/MC/V.
• Bananas Cafe, Chapultepec 330 (☎3615 4191), at Tejada. Pop art and pop stars surround raised tables and colorful light fixtures. Outdoor seating has a tropical feel. Drinks named after rock stars 17-20 pesos. Open M-Th and Su 9am-1am and F-Sa 9am-3am. Cash only.
• Chai, Vallarta 1509 (☎3615 9426 or 3616 1299). Hip locals lounge on white sofas while resting their mugs on coffee tables cluttered with magazines and the occasional laptop. Iced lattes 19 pesos. Gourmet sandwiches 37-64 pesos. Wi-Fi access. Open M-Th and Su 8am-midnight and F-Sa 8am-1am. AmEx/MC/V.

Clubs

The upscale clubs lining Vallarta come to life around midnight. Taxis (50-60 pesos) are the best mode of transport, since partiers clad in dress shoes and heels won’t appreciate the 30min. walk from the centro. More traditional discos with complex track lighting, pulsing music, and elevated dance floors surround Plaza del Sol (near Mateos Sur and Otero), accessible by taxi for about 70 pesos.

• Capitol, Vallarta 2648 (☎3615 8999), at Los Arcos. A flashy neon palm tree at the door sets the tone for fancy art, flatscreen TVs, and pretension galore. Pulse to electropop dance music with trendy clientele in this converted 2-story 19th-century mansion. Dress to impress. Cover women 60 pesos; men Tu-Th 60 pesos, F-Sa 80 pesos. Open Tu-Sa 11:30pm-5am.
• Cara o Cruz, Vallarta 2503 (☎3615 7621). This lively saloon is packed on weekends. Patrons dance in a friendly environment. Cover 30-50 pesos. Beer 15 pesos, tequila 40 pesos. Open W-Sa 8:30pm-3am, Su 5pm-3am.

Glbt Nightlife

Locals in Guadalajara’s gay scene claim it’s the most vibrant in Mexico. GLBT clubs and bars cluster around the downtown area, where there’s generally no cover or dress code. For event listings, check Amadeus News, which covers events in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta (available at Chivas, below).

• Caudillos, Sánchez 407 (☎3613 5445), near Hotel Cervantes, 3 blocks from the centro. Bumping music and strobe lights fill the small dance floor and the smoky corners of Caudillos. The black-and-white pictures on the wall contrast with the ambience. 2 beers for 25 pesos. Tequila 30 pesos. Open W and F-Sa 5pm-6am.
• Chivas, Cotilla 150 (☎3613 1617), near the corner of Degollado. After 35 years in the business, Chivas is home base for the Guadalajara scene. Animated regulars converse around small tables. Beer 25 pesos for 3, 80 pesos for 12. Open daily 6pm-3am.
• Pancho’s Jr., Maestranza 264 (☎3613 9938), at Sánchez. A wide dance floor surrounded by cheap deck chairs is perfect for karaoke and transvestite shows on the weekends. Beer 2 for 25 pesos. Micheladas 2 for 40 pesos. Open daily 6pm-3am.
• Bar Màskara’s, Maestranza 238 (☎3614 8103), at Madero. A popular jungle-themed gay bar with a mixed male and female crowd. Don your favorite mask and step into the fun. Packed on weekends. 2-for-1 beers (25 pesos) and 2-for-1 tequila shots (60 pesos). Open daily 9pm-3am.