2 Best Bars in Mexico City, Mexico

Background Illustration for Nightlife

Condesa, Roma, Centro Histórico, Coyoacán, and Polanco stand out as Mexico City's hippest neighborhoods. If you're looking to do some barhopping and want to foot it, you can do so in La Condesa. The Zona Rosa has lost ground to Condesa, Roma, and Polanco in the past few years, but it's still packed on Friday and Saturday nights, and everything is within walking distance. Niza, Florencia, Londres, and Hamburgo streets are teeming with bars and discos.

Night is the key word. People generally take in dinner and a show at 9 or 10 pm, head to bars or nightclubs at midnight, then find a spot for a nightcap or tacos somewhere around 3 am. (Cantinas are the exception; people start hitting them in the late afternoon and most close by 11 pm.)

You should have no trouble getting around on your own Always take official hotel taxis, sitio (stationed) taxis, or use the safe taxi apps Yaxi or Uber; it can be expensive to barhop this way, but your safety is worth the cost.

Barba Azul

Doctores Fodor's Choice

Since 1951 (minus a two-year closure during the pandemic), this unabashedly campy cabaret in the eastern reaches of Doctores has been luring even shy patrons onto the central dance stage for salsa, merengue, and cumbia music. The live orchestra is almost as much fun to watch as the completely diverse crowd that includes everyone from white-haired couples to gay teens. Upstairs by the restrooms, be sure to check out the kitschy, obscene artwork. Although not terribly far from Roma or El Centro, the area can get a bit dodgy at night—it's best to Uber here.

Enigma AntroBar

Alameda Central

This nightclub is known for its drag contests, musical tributes, and overall exciting entertainment. Things get going on the later side and reservations are recommended. Drinks come tableside from attentive servers, with all seats in the house having a solid view of the stage.