Nightlife · Mexico City · Mexico
Mexico City nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Mexico City, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Quick answer
Mexico City has one of Latin America's liveliest nightlife scenes: world-ranked cocktail bars and mezcalerías in Roma and Condesa, old cantinas in the Centro, mariachis in Plaza Garibaldi and clubs that run until dawn. Nights start late, with dinner around 9pm. The main areas are Roma Norte, Condesa, Centro Histórico, Zona Rosa and Juárez and Polanco.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- Roma Norte
- Local drink
- Pulque
Where to go out
Roma Norte
Cocktail bars, mezcalerías and small clubs around Álvaro Obregón and Colima streets.
Condesa
Bars and pavement terraces along Tamaulipas, Michoacán and Avenida Amsterdam.
Centro Histórico
Historic cantinas, rooftop bars and mariachis in Plaza Garibaldi.
Zona Rosa and Juárez
The city's main LGBTQ+ nightlife area, plus newer cocktail bars in Juárez.
Polanco
Upscale lounges, hotel bars and dressy clubs near Avenida Presidente Masaryk.
Nightlife tips
- Use ride-hailing apps rather than street taxis at night.
- Alcohol hits harder at altitude, especially in your first days; pace yourself.
- Watch your drink in busy bars and clubs and keep valuables out of sight.
Evening sights
Viewpoint · Centro Histórico
Torre Latinoamericana
Go on a clear morning after overnight rain, when the volcanoes may be visible, or at dusk to watch the city lights come on.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- History
- After dark
Experience · Doctores
Lucha libre at Arena México
Buy a mask from the stalls outside, and use an app-based ride to and from the arena, which is in a rough neighbourhood at night.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Iconic
- Kids
Landmark · Centro Histórico
Plaza Garibaldi
Agree the price per song before the band starts, and use an app-based ride to get there and back at night.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Free
- Iconic
What to drink
- Pulque — A milky, slightly sour drink of fermented agave sap, drunk since pre-Hispanic times, often 'curado' (blended with fruit such as guava or oats).
- Mezcal — Agave spirit, often smoky, sipped neat with orange slices and sal de gusano (chilli and agave-worm salt). Most comes from Oaxaca, but the city has some of the best mezcal bars in Mexico.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. April has the warmest evenings, with lows around 11°C (52°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 18:18 | 6°C (43°F) | 2 |
| April | About 18:54 | 11°C (52°F) | 6 |
| July | About 19:18 | 12°C (54°F) | 23 |
| October | About 18:13 | 10°C (50°F) | 9 |
Getting home late
- Metro — Avoid peak hours with luggage, and keep phones and wallets in front pockets.
- Bus — Metrobús requires a rechargeable mobility card, sold at station machines.
- Ride-hailing — Ride-hailing apps are widely used, inexpensive by international standards and the recommended way to travel at night.
- Taxi — Use taxis from official 'sitio' ranks or authorised airport booths rather than hailing them on the street.
- Walking — The Centro, Roma, Condesa and Coyoacán are pleasant to explore on foot, though pavements can be uneven.
Late-night bites
- Tacos al pastor — Taquerías across the city, from long-established El Huequito in the Centro to late-night stands in Roma and Condesa; look for a busy trompo.
- Tlacoyos — Women's griddle stands in markets and near Metro stations, especially in the Centro and Coyoacán.
- Quesadillas — Market fondas and street stalls across the city.
Staying safe at night
The main visitor areas such as Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán and the Centro by day are generally comfortable, but pickpocketing is common on the Metro and in crowded markets. Use app-based rides or authorised taxi ranks rather than hailing taxis on the street. The city has an earthquake early-warning system: if the sirens sound, follow locals to open space.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and couples
Roma Norte
Roma's tree-lined streets of early-20th-century Art Nouveau and Beaux-Arts mansions now hold many of the city's most acclaimed restaurants, cafés, galleries, mezcal bars and boutique hotels, centred on Avenida Álvaro Obregón and Plaza Río de Janeiro with its copy of Michelangelo's David. It is walkable and lively by day and night.
- Good
- The city's best dining and bar scene; Attractive, walkable streets; Wide choice of boutique hotels and rentals
- Watch out
- Busy and noisy around bar streets at weekends; Prices rising quickly
- Nearby
- Plaza Río de Janeiro, Avenida Álvaro Obregón, Mercado de Medellín, Condesa
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Mexico City?
Roma Norte, Condesa and Centro Histórico. Cocktail bars, mezcalerías and small clubs around Álvaro Obregón and Colima streets.
+Which area of Mexico City is best for nightlife?
Roma Norte: Art Nouveau mansions, acclaimed restaurants, cafés and mezcal bars.