Mexico City has cemented itself as my favorite city in the world. I could list a thousand reasons why I love this city, but one of my favorite things is the sheer variety of ways one can experience a night out in CDMX. The nightlife options are seemingly limitless. From raves on rooftop terraces to cozy speakeasies, Mexico City has got some insane range when it comes to its nightlife.

Mexico as a whole has a very fun-loving, party-oriented culture. It seems like everyone is having a blast all the time, no matter where they are or what they’re doing. I’ve been to antique markets in Mexico City that are livelier and more fun than a typical nightlife experience in the U.S. Seriously, have a wander through La Lagunilla on a Sunday if you don’t believe me. People are vintage shopping with a liter of beer in their hand and some stalls even bring their own DJ. And that’s for something that happens during the day. Imagine how wild Mexico City gets at night. I’ve been coming back to Mexico City almost every year for the last decade, and it is truly one of the most elite nightlife cities in the world.

This list caters to the international traveler looking to experience the best of Mexico City’s nightlife, whether it’s great music, elite mixology, or a unique ambiance. Sure, you can just grab a cheap chela anywhere and have a good time in a local cantina. Arguably, those have been some of my best nights out in Mexico City. However, I wanted to be objective and focus on nightlife establishments that go above and beyond a typical bar. This list is far from exhaustive but should get your night off on the right foot.

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Best Nightlife Districts of Mexico City

Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis that feels like a dozen cities in one. Each area of the city has its own nightlife spots, but some districts are much more renowned for their nightlife than others. There’s no shortage of places to drink in the historic city center of Mexico, but if you want something trendy, there are countless experimental cocktail bars in the Condesa and Roma neighborhoods. Here’s a breakdown of some of the nightlife districts of Mexico City. I’ll get to the specific recommendations later on in this post.

Roma Norte

Roma Norte is the hub of trendy nightlife in Mexico City. Along Avenida Alvaro Obregon and the surrounding area, you’ll find some of Mexico City’s most upscale restaurants and chic nightlife spots. This is the place to go if you want a fun night out and without a budget to worry about. Rooftop terraces, intimate cocktail bars, and fine dining is the general vibe of Roma Norte. However, there is a wide variety here, too. Foro Centro de Salud, for example, is just a few minutes walk away from Departamento, and those two are the definition of polar opposites. Roma Norte is a safe bet for anyone looking for a party, regardless of budget and vibe.

Condesa

La Condesa lies just across Avenida Insurgentes from Roma Norte, an avenue that serves as more than just a geographical divider. Condesa has a more elegant vibe than its more alternative counterpart in Roma Norte. Where seemingly anything goes in Roma Norte, Condesa sticks to its more refined roots. While primarily a residential neighborhood, Condesa has no shortage of restaurants and bars, with a few nightclubs beginning to pop up. Condesa is an excellent colonia for drinks in more intimate settings, chatting with friends and strangers over a cocktail in the dim lighting of a minimalist bar. It’s a good place to start before bouncing over to Roma Norte’s late-night clubs. The few nightclubs here cater towards Condesa’s more international clientele, sacrificing salsa and reggaeton for house music and funk. 

Zona Rosa

Located close to Mexico City’s business district, the Zona Rosa is an extremely lively strip after work hours. This walking street lined with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. It is the place to be if you want a classic Mexican night out. Salsa, banda, and reggaeton blare from the bars and can be heard from blocks away. The drinks here are much cheaper than Condesa and Roma, catering to a much more local clientele than its neighbors to the south.

Zocalo

The Zocalo is the historic city center of Mexico City. During the day, it is by far the busiest part of the sprawling city, with every street lined with vendors and thousands of people going to and fro. At night, it gets shockingly quiet, save for a few areas. The main plaza is always lively, and I’d recommend getting a cocktail from one of the rooftop bars as you watch and listen to the hustle of the city below. Calle Regina a few blocks south of the plaza is an excellent place to go afterwards. It’s a pedestrian-only street lined with bars frequented mostly by locals. This is a great area to start the night, offering affordable drinks and a lively local atmosphere. Nightclubs in the Zocalo are few and far between, but they do exist. Close to Parque Alameda and the National Art Museum is a small nightlife area with gay clubs like La Purisima.

Elsewhere in Mexico City

Those neighborhoods are my area of expertise, and should suffice for any traveler visiting the city. Like I mentioned earlier, Mexico City consists of dozens of different neighborhoods, each with their own nightlife scene. Polanco is the wealthiest neighborhood of Mexico City, with an abundance of exclusive bars and rooftop lounges that I haven’t even attempted to sniff as a budget backpacker. Escandon lies to the south of Condesa and is an up-and-coming neighborhood that will likely experience its own boom before too long. The Juarez business district has an abundance of nightlife options outside the Zona Rosa. Secret raves at Ex Fabrica MX, daytime booze cruises down Xochimilco, the list can go on and on. Seriously, there is so much ground to cover in Mexico City, but for any short-term visitor to CDMX, I guarantee I got you for now.

Best Bars in Mexico City

Let’s start with the best places in the city to just hang out and grab a drink. Whether you’re looking for a unique ambiance or to try creative cocktails with ingredients that you never imagined could ever work together, these are the bars to check out.

Best Bars in Roma Norte

• Departamento
  • Departamento is Mexico City staple, boasting a spacious rooftop and an aesthetic interior. Both levels have bars, DJs, and dance floors. Frequented by an international crowd with the main records being spun catering to fans of house, electronic, and funk music. The drinks aren’t the most spectacular, but the vibe on the terrace bar is unmatched.

• Pulqueria Los Insurgentes
  • A multi-level establishment with a rooftop bar, two dance floors, and live music and DJs on the weekends. A reliable local hotspot that has become popular among international travelers and expats for its budget-friendly cocktails and heaping servings of pulque. Great fun with a friendly, lively crowd.
• Cafe Tacobar
  • Tacos and cocktails, need I say more? Cafe Tacobar is famed for serving up some of Mexico City’s best tacos, and excels at whipping up cocktails, to boot. A small, cozy bar with limited seating, so be sure to get here early to guarantee a seat.
• Bar Las Brujas
  • A women-run bar serving creative cocktails. This small, intimate bar bordering Plaza Rio de Janeiro is great for sipping slow and chatting away.

• Maison Artemisia
  • A lively bar serving crafty Mexican twists on classic cocktails in a dimly-lit, speakeasy setting, occasionally livened up by a DJ.
• Licoreria Limantour
  • A centrally-located bar on the intersection of Roma Norte’s most bustling streets. It’s a two-story bar with a terrace, and one of Mexico City’s most iconic cocktail bars.
• Balmori Roofbar
  • A stunning rooftop restaurant that also specializes in cocktails. It’s on the pricier end, but the setting doesn’t get much better than this.
• Supra Roma Rooftop
  • A restaurant located on Avenida Alvaro Obregon that becomes a lively nightlife spot later in the evening. Stunning views from the enclosed rooftop with huge windows. High-quality food and drinks, but is one of the pricier establishments in the area.

• Madre Roof
  • One of the most beautiful bars in the city offering a luxurious ambiance perfect for both intimate date nights or large gatherings with friends. Delicious food and fantastic cocktails, as well as a rooftop area separate from the restaurant.
• La Roma Brewing
  • A brewery serving a wide variety of beers in a minimalist setting. Very spacious with outdoor and indoor seating perfect for large groups of friends.
• Jazzatlan Capital
  • A cozy, classy bar often featuring live music and performances. Jazz is most common, but often varies from night to night. I even caught a flamenco show here once. Great for date nights or even solo sipping sessions.

• Mercado Roma
  • A food market with several restaurants and bars, as well as a space that frequently hosts events like salsa nights and DJs. Perfect for big groups who struggle with deciding on picking a single place.
• Bambu
  • A restaurant with a second floor that becomes very lively late into the night. Jungly decor, good drink specials, loud music, and lights shows that really bring the crowd to life. Much more local crowd than most spots in Roma Norte.

• Tlecan
  • A standing-only mezcal bar on Alvaro Obregon with an atmosphere calling back to Mexico’s indigenous roots. Delicious cocktails served in a unique concept bar by friendly staff.
• Diablo Negro
  • A concept mezcal bar that takes the term “alternative” to another level. Drinks, food, decor, and music all lean towards a more alternative theme, with rock and metal being heavy in the rotation of this dimly-lit bar.
• El Sirenito
  • An upscale restaurant and bar that frequently has performances, from drag shows to live music. Gets very lively later on in the night and often erupts into a full-on dance party.

Best Bars in La Condesa

• La Clandestina
  • A mezcal bar just off of Parque Espana with indoor and outdoor seating and a wide selection of smoky mezcal cocktails. Great for mezcal-lovers looking for a low-key vibe and relaxing ambiance.

• Gin Gin Condesa
  • As the name suggests, this trendy bar specializes in gin cocktails, serving up some of the best in the city in a well-decorated setting.
• Felina
  • A cocktail bar on the far south of Condesa with indoor and outdoor seating, serving up tacos and good vibes. Not much else needed.
• Tempo Piano Bar
  • A new bar in Condesa featuring a sophisticated atmosphere with live music.
• Trappist
  • Lively pub-style establishment offering a wide array of local and international beers. Hard to go wrong with this one.
• Baltra Bar
  • One of Condesa’s classic cocktail bars with great interior design and mixologists cooking up inventive cocktails.

Best Bars in Mexico City’s Zocalo Centro Historico

• Bar Pata Negra
  • A tapas bar with a wide selection of craft beers and cocktails served in a lively atmosphere. Frequently host DJs and live music. Best bet for drinks and dancing close to the Zocalo.
• Apapacho Hostel Rooftop
  • Apapacho Hostel’s rooftop bar might be one of the nicest in the Zocalo. The decor is beautiful and they throw weekly parties on the terrace. Happy hours are two cocktails for $120 pesos, which is as competitive as it gets in Mexico City. For backpackers looking for a good time, look no further than Apapacho.

• Nardo Cocktail Club
  • Arguably the trendiest bar in the historic center of Mexico, serving one-of-a-kind cocktails in a uniquely-decorated environment.
• Bosforo
  • A cozy bar just south of Parque Alameda with one of the largest selections of mezcal in the city. Also serves beer and traditional Mexican small plates.
• Zinco Jazz Club
  • A retro-style jazz club serving food and drinks with a show. A must for music and cocktail-lovers who want to enjoy a live performance in a classic, vintage environment.
• Salon Tenampa
  • A traditional Mexican cantina in Plaza Garibaldi, better known as Mariachi Square. Come here for an authentic Mexican experience as live mariachi bands serenade the entire restaurant.

Best Bars in Juarez and Zona Rosa

• Handshake Speakeasy
  • Recently named the Best Bar in the World, and deservingly so. Handshake is home to classy, sophisticated decor and mixologists that rank among the world’s best. Groups of one or two might be able to sneak in a spot in front of the bar, but be sure to make a reservation if you want a table. If not, you will absolutely be waiting in long lines, but the concept and location truly give it an authentic speakeasy feel.
• Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar
  • A small speakeasy hidden in the back of a restaurant. A vintage, sophisticated aesthetic serving unique cocktails in an equally unique setting.

• Xaman Bar
  • Similar to the two above, Xaman has a speakeasy setting with a hidden entrance and inventive drinks. Unlike the other two speakeasies, the decor is more alternative and modern, as opposed to shooting for the classic, retro vibe.
• Cityzen Rooftop Bar
  • Home to arguably the best views of Mexico City, complemented with good food and drinks to justify the price tag. Located on the 38th floor of the Sofitel, putting you right in the heart of the towering skyscrapers of Avenida Reforma.

Before hitting the Mexico City clubs, make sure you have a plan for staying connected. I use Saily eSIM to keep me online during my travels, ensuring that I have internet from the moment I land to the moment I leave. Coordinating travel plans with new hostel friends, getting a cute local’s number, ordering a taxi home, and so on – having an eSIM makes life that much easier when you’re on the road. Data packages for Mexico start at just $5, and you can use my code “eli5” for an additional 5% off of your first Saily eSIM.

Best Clubs in Mexico City

Best Nightclubs in Roma Norte

• Departamento
  •  While the terrace has more of a bar setting, the second floor provides an unmatched vibe for a nightclub. The music has never disappointed me, always providing a great fusion of house with an eclectic range of genres, from funk to Beethoven. Very popular among locals and international folks alike.
• Centro de Salud
  • A grungy, gritty nightclub with multiple rooms and DJs. A much more local scene with an alternative crowd coming to dance to rock, metal, and more experimental electronic music. Centro de Salud is the closest I’ve felt to being in Berlin while in Mexico City.
• Bar Oriente
  • A centrally-located nightclub on Avenida Alvaro Obregon. Music can vary, but usually house music and reggaeton. Small, narrow dance floor in front of the stage with a larger bar area for sitting. A safe play on any given night.

• Mama Rumba
  • A haven for salsa, cumbia, bachata, reggaeton, and Latin music in its many forms. Whether you want to show off your moves, or just watch the more seasoned salsa dancers effortlessly gliding on the dance floor, this is a place you must visit at least once in Mexico City.
• Casa Romma Antro
  • A basic, cookie-cutter reggaeton club. Nothing too special, but a safe bet for Latin music, a local crowd, and a lot of dancing.

• Mezontle
  • A large, reggaeton club that is a go-to spot for locals looking for Latin music. A typical club setting with VIP tables and a packed dance floor. Mediocre drinks and unreliable service, but if you’re looking to perrear, this is the place to be. They frequently host concerts, as well, so keep an eye on Mezontle’s Instagram to see if any of your favorite artists plan on showing up.

Best Nightclubs in Condesa

• Funk Club
  • A nightclub in a large basement of an unassuming building on Avenida Insurgentes Sur. As the name suggests, it specializes in a funkier, groovier fusion of electronic music. 

• House of Boogie
  • New to the scene but quickly making waves as the best techno club in the city. House of Boogie specializes in house music fused with disco and funk that’ll guarantee you’ll be grooving on the dance floor all night.

Best Nightclubs in Zocalo Historic Center

• Bar El Sausalito
  • A popular bar among the LGBTQ+ community with retro music, cheap drinks, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Come here if you want to jam out to 80’s, 90’s, and early 00’s music while tossing back 20 peso chelas.
• La Purisima
  • Located right next to El Sausalito is La Purisima. I can basically copy and paste the description of Sausalito from above. The only difference is that it has more of an eclectic playlist when it comes to music, although retro jams are very much in rotation.
• Sunday Sunday
  • Sunday Sunday is a weekly electronic party that happens every Sunday. The entrance is very unassuming and you might wonder if you’ve ended up at the wrong place entirely. However, once you go up the elevator, you’ll be greeted by good vibes and plenty of dancing. Sunday Sunday has multiple bars, levels, and a room serving Mexican street food staples.

Again, this is just scratching the surface. Mexico City is a dynamic destination, always growing ever-changing. Despite coming back nearly every year, the city can often feel unrecognizable as neighborhoods transform and new bars come and go. The one constant that can be relied on is that Mexicans always, always know how to have a good time. As long as that is true, Mexico City stands strong as one of the best nightlife destinations in the world. These bars are among the city’s best, but there is so much more to discover in this electric city. Go and see for yourself.

Also, be sure to check out my complete itinerary for backpacking in Mexico with 77 jam-packed pages covering over 33 different destinations in this amazing country!

Buy Me A Beer!

If this post helped you out, please show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. It allows me to keep writing travel guides to help you all travel the world on a budget.