Drink.
Mexico City is a fun place to go out at night, especially if you’re hitting up the Mexico City gay bars. There are a ton of bars spread right across the city, but most gay tourists prefer to visit the ones in the gayborhoods.
Most Mexico City gay bars are only open Thursdays through Saturdays. A few are open on other days, but almost all are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. The nightclub vibe is definitely reserved for the weekends. The bars that are open on different days tend to offer more of a chill vibe than a wild party zone. Operating hours are all over the place. Most tend to open around 9 pm and close in the early morning; then again, a few open at midday, and some close at 5 pm. The good news about this is that whenever you’re in the mood for a drink, it’ll be easy to find one.
One of the many things gays love about the nightlife at Mexico City gay bars is that drinks are cheap. There are one or two upscale bars that hike their prices up, but you can buy beer, for example, for as little as 20 pesos ($1).
Cover charges are pretty standard in Mexico City gay bars. Some are as low as 50 pesos ($2.50) and can go up to 350 pesos ($18). The higher the charge, the more likely a drink or two is included. Getting to the bar early is the best move, as the bars are less likely to start charging during the first few hours.
During the week, most Mexico City gay bars start buzzing from 9 pm. On weekends, they kick things off a little later, around 10 pm, but that’s when the lines start to snake around the block—so, pro tip: beat the rush and get there early. Because in Mexico City, Thursday is the new Friday, and nobody likes to wait!
There are three hotspots to bar hop for gay travelers in Mexico City; Zona Rosa, the official gayborhood, is where most of the Mexico City gay bars are clustered. However, you can also find a few chic gay bars in both the Historic Center and Roma districts.
There’s more to Mexico City’s drinking scene than just a bottle of Corona. Tequila reigns supreme here, starring in most cocktails at the Mexico City gay bars. Mezcal, another Mexican spirit, hails from various types of agave and packs a smoky punch. It’s typically sipped straight—if you dare—because it definitely comes with a kick. Tread lightly if it’s your first dance with Mezcal. You can test your limits at La Botica, a popular gay bar in the North Roma district.
Filter your night
Papi Fun Bar is on C, Amberes, in the Zona Rosa gayborhood, and as the name suggests, is a fun hangout. It’s a very relaxed vibe with a very mixed crowd. The bar is known for its cheap drinks and daily specials. There are drag shows and go-go dancers.
Papi Fun Bar is open Tuesday through Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., with no cover charge.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Bar
Guilt is an upscale dance bar in the Roma district around 10 minutes by cab from the Zona Rosa gayborhood. It’s a popular venue for people who love to dress up; there’s even a dress code, so it’s best to leave your baseball caps and flip-flops in your hotel. Some of the city’s best DJs keep the giant dance floor packed. There’s a drag show every Thursday night.
Guilt is open three nights a week, Thursdays through Saturdays, from 11 p.m. until well into the morning. The cover charge is around 240 pesos ($15).
Facilities: Dancing, Bar, Live music
Tom’s Leather Bar is a men-only gay bar in the Roma district, 5 minutes in a cab from the Zona Rosa gayborhood. There’s a dark room for cruising, go-go boys on the tabletops, and adult films playing on screens throughout the venue. It’s split over two levels, and the interior has a dark gothic vibe.
Tom’s Leather Bar is open from 9 pm until early morning on Tuesdays to Sundays.
Facilities: Dancing, Dark Room, Leather Bar, Bar
La Purisima is a gay dance bar located in the old Historic Center of Mexico City, around 15 minutes by taxi from the Zona Rosa gayborhood. It’s described as vulgar Catholic chic with a giant statue of the Virgin Mary in the back. The bar closed in July 2024 for renovations and updated common areas like the bathrooms.
You can party at La Purisima three nights a week, Thursdays through Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Facilities: Dancing, Bar
Marrakech Salon in Mexico City’s historic center is a dance bar for a mixed crowd. Latin music and 80s pop hits head the lineup. There are drag, cabaret, and go-g0 boy shows. The drinks are cheap, and there are nightly promotions. It’s a small venue but doesn’t feel crowded. The decor is a kitsch-retro cabaret vibe, with neon lights illuminating the space.
Marrakech Salon is open Thursdays to Saturdays, 6 pm to 2.30 am, and there is a cover charge,
Facilities: Drag Show, Go-go show, Dancing, Bar, Live music, Cabaret show
El Pecado (or Sin Bar in English) is a drag bar that later becomes a nightclub. It’s located in the historic center of Mexico City. The bar caters to a diverse crowd, and the drag queens are fierce. The music ranges from pop to reggaeton. There are drink promotions every night.
El Pecado is open Fridays and Saturdays only from 6 pm to 3 am.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Bar, Live music
Kinky Bar is considered the most upscale bar in the Zona Rosa gayborhood, and the prices reflect this. Primarily catering to a young, hip crowd, it’s a three-level venue with a different vibe on each floor. First is a Mexican cantina floor with kitschy decor and fun Latino music. The second floor features a glass karaoke bar and a smoking terrace at the top.
Kinky Bar is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 p.m. until well into the morning, and there is a cover charge.
Facilities: Dancing, Karaoke, Bar
El Almacen is one of Mexico City’s longest-operating gay bars; it’s been in the Zona Rosa gayborhood for decades. It still provides some of the best drag performances in the city. The diverse crowd here is known for having a cool, relaxed vibe. The venue also has a snack menu, including burgers, fries, and local dishes.
Unlike most other venues, El Almacen is open every day except Monday. It opens at 9 p.m. and closes around 3 a.m.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Restaurant, Bar
La Botica is a mezcal bar in the North Roma district around 10 minutes by cab from the Zona Rosa gayborhood. If you’ve never tried mezcal, it’s a Mexican spirit made from an agave plant with a smoky flavor and 80–110 proof. This venue has been serving up mezcal cocktails to the gay community for years. Bar snacks that complement the drinks are also available.
La Botica is open daily from 5 pm until 2 am.
Facilities: Restaurant, Bar
Vaqueros Bar in the Zona Rosa gayborhood is decked out in a cowboy theme. Don’t expect to see line dancing; it’s a dance bar featuring drag shows and karaoke. Top DJs play 80s hits combined with Latin pop. It’s a large venue with two levels and three bars.
Vaqueros Bar is open five days a week from Wednesdays to Sundays, midday until 11.30 pm. There is a cover charge,
Facilities: Drag Show, Go-go show, Dancing, Karaoke, Bar, Live music, Cabaret show
The second of the Cabaretito group bars in the Zona Rosa gayborhood is El Taller. It’s sometimes referred to as The Workshop. There is entertainment every night with a mix of drag, cabaret, and go-go boys. Rumor on the street is that there’s an XXX male-only show on Sunday nights.
Cabarétito El Taller is one of the few gay bars open every night of the week from 6 pm until 2 am. A cover charge may apply on some nights.
Facilities: Drag Show, Go-go show, Dancing, Bar, Live music, Cabaret show
Nicho Bears & Bar is in the geographical center of the Zona Rosa gayborhood. It’s predominantly a bear (Oso) bar, but their friends and admirers are welcome. There’s dancing every night and bear karaoke on Fridays. There are also drag shows and underwear nights. While there are no dark rooms or specific cruising areas, it’s a well-known cruise bar.
Nicho Bears & Bar is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 8 p.m. until well into the night.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Karaoke, Bar, Live music
Baby Club opened in 2023 in the center of the Zona Rosa gayborhood and has go-go boys, drag, and dance parties. The drinks are cheap, starting at 20 pesos ($1). It’s predominantly a young crowd, and the music is Top 40. There’s an outdoor terrace for smokers
Baby Club is open four days a week, from Thursdays to Sundays. It opens around 6 p.m. and closes well into the morning.
Facilities: Drag Show, Go-go show, Dancing, Bar
The Cabaré-Tito group operates two gay bars; the first Cabarétito Fusión is on the eastern side of the Zona Rosa gayborhood on Londres Street. It’s a dance bar that mostly gets a younger crowd but has a welcoming vibe for everyone. The bar blends drag, comedy, music, and dancing in a fun and flirty atmosphere.
Cabarétito Fusión is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. to late. Cover charges may apply for special events.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Bar
Rico Club is a drag bar on the east side of the Zona Rosa gayborhood. The city’s most well-known drag artists perform here weekly. There are cheap rotating drink promotions. After the drag show is over, the club becomes a dance bar—pop, disco, and techno provided by top DJs.
Rico Club is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. There are no cover charges before 8 p.m.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Bar, Live music
Destinations
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