Regarded as a diverse and vibrant city, Guadalajara nightlife has something to offer everyone. Traditional cantinas, fashionable dance clubs, and live music venues abound, and you’ll also find a thriving craft beer sector and many cultural events.
This lively Jalisco center is Mexico’s second-largest city and well known for mariachi and tequila. And, as you might expect, the nightlife here is fantastic, complete with traditional music which can be a breath of fresh air if you’re visiting after coming from the neighboring beach town party scene of Puerto Vallarta.
Guadalajara nightlife entertainment isn’t limited to raucous fiestas. After dusk, this sophisticated, culturally rich city offers various varied activities, from theatrical events to late-night shopping and traditional Mexican wrestling.
Whatever your interests are, keep reading to discover something to keep you entertained in Guadalajara when the sun goes down.
Where To Party In Guadalajara?
If you’re in Jalisco’s capital and want a good time, here are some fabulous venues to experience the incredible Guadalajara nightlife.
Guadalajara is widely regarded as the birthplace of traditional Mexican culture, so it’s no wonder that there are numerous ancient cantinas here, some of which have been in operation for almost a century.
These old taverns provide welcoming environments where people may drink, speak, and nibble for hours, even beyond midnight. After dusk, Chapultepec Avenue and Zapopan are extremely busy,
Consider visiting bars in the Colonia Americana neighborhood if you want something a little more expensive. If you’re a hipster who enjoys the craft beer scene, Guadalajara is one of the places leading the way, with dozens of microbreweries opening in the last five years.
Guadalajara’s dance clubs don’t open until well after midnight, so if you want to start the night early, you can quickly locate a lovely pub to eat a meal and a few drinks. The celebration then continues till the early hours of the morning.
Puerto Vallarta is recognized as Mexico’s most prominent gay tourism destination, as Guadalajara has a significant and active homosexual community and conducts a major pride parade every June.
Guadalajara Nightlife Safety & Tips
The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old, and when it comes to enjoying the Guadalajara nightlife there is no exception. If you’re heading to a cantina or a craft beer pub, casual attire is entirely acceptable, but for nightclubs and expensive locations, try to dress up but don’t overdo it.
Although it is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages in public places, authorities rarely intervene with discreet public drinkers who do not cause a disturbance.
On weekends and holidays, many clubs impose a cover charge. If you arrive early, you may be able to escape the cover price. Women may be given free entrance during Ladies’ Nights and earlier in the evening or during dull times.
Check the prices of food and drinks before ordering, and keep track of your bill. To keep things easy and avoid unnecessary costs, it’s a good idea to clear out your drinking tab every two rounds. Carrying and paying in cash rather than using a credit card is preferable.
Getting about after 10 p.m. may be difficult because city buses cease sooner or later, but you may hire a Taxi or Uber. Taxis are typically safe, although extra vigilance is advised.
In each city, a traveler, like anybody else, is exposed to minor criminals. Guadalajara is no different. Local authorities and law enforcement can assist if something goes wrong while you’re away.
How Expensive Is It To Party In Guadalajara?
A 7-day vacation to get amongst the Guadalajara nightlife costs $858 for a single traveler, $1,541 for a couple, and $2,889 for a family of four.
Hotel rates in Guadalajara range from $25 to $126 per night, with an average of $32, whereas most vacation rentals run from $20 to $280 per night for the full house.
You should budget roughly $78 per day for your holiday in Guadalajara, the average daily price based on other tourists’ spending.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you should anticipate paying for a night out in Guadalajara:
-Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 625.00 MXN
-Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 32.50 MXN
-Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 60.00 MXN
-Cappuccino (regular) 47.63 MXN
-Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 18.81 MXN
The Best Bars In Guadalajara
La Fuente
La Fuente is located in the city’s historic core and is a must-see landmark on any tourism itinerary. This is everything you might want from a classic cantina.
If you’re curious about the bike over the bar, it was purportedly left there by a drunken guest one night in the 1950s.
Escarabajo Scratch
Escarabajo Scratch, a laid-back pub a short walk from Guadalajara’s cathedral, is covered with beautiful murals and paintings of blues performers ranging from Robert Johnson to Tom Waits.
The vibrant venue showcases artists from various genres, but rock and blues are the staples. It even functions as a cultural center, hosting film workshops and book discussions. Escarabajo Scratch hits all the basics with inexpensive beer and fantastic food.
Pare de Sufrir
The bar’s name translates to “Stop Suffering,” a lighthearted reference to a contentious evangelical church that employs the same slogan.
Pedro Jiménez, the project’s proprietor, works directly with artisanal producers to offer the greatest bottles to the bar.
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state and the origin of tequila, is linked with Mexico’s national spirit. However, Pare de Sufrir is a famed mezcal bar serving the smokey cousin of tequila since 2009.
Many of these spirits are from the southern state of Oaxaca, although others are regional favorites. If you want to try a fruity Jalisco-made mezcal, get a shot of raicilla.
Chango Vudú
If you want something dark and atmospheric, Chango Vudú is the place to go. The bizarre establishment, located in a windowless basement, combines speakeasy décor with fluorescent lighting and graffiti.
A low-lit bar runs along one wall, where you may order beers or a variety of drinks.
Chango Vudú has acquired a reputation as one of the city’s most remarkable live music venues since its inception in 2018. The large bar showcases a variety of live music performances, with a concentration on jazz and techno.
The Best Clubs In Guadalajara
Guadalajara’s nightlife is well-known across Mexico for its exciting events, friendly people, and great nightclubs. These are the greatest places to go if you’re in the city and looking for a fun night out.
Bar Américas
Unquestionably the greatest nightclub for fans of electronic music, hundreds of DJs has had the opportunity to spin on their turntables over the last 10 years.
With a wide variety of beverages and a friendly atmosphere, this is a terrific place to spend an evening with friends till morning.
Cantina Mexicaltzingo
Cantina Mexicaltzingo bar doubles as a fantastic nightclub at night and is steadily becoming a local favorite.
It’s located in the Chapultepec neighborhood, the city’s most dynamic sector, and they serve superb authentic Mexican food while live music or a DJ live performs up on stage.
Lola Lolita’s
This nightclub, located on one of the city’s most prominent roads, continuously hosts fashion displays, music festivals, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
It contains all the traditional characteristics that make a nightclub great: fantastic music, excellent drinks, and good vibes.
Envy
If you’re looking for a gay-friendly Guadalajara nightlife venue Envy is a trendy nightclub with avant-garde décorations and a sophisticated ambiance. They offer unique cocktails and cooled beverages as live music fills the dance floor.
If you want to party with your friends or meet new people, this is the place to go.
Guadalajara Nightlife Summary
The Guadalajara nightlife isn’t restricted to boisterous fiestas. When the sun goes down, this sophisticated and culturally rich city comes alive with a variety of events.
This vibrant Jalisco hub, Mexico’s second-largest town, is widely renowned for mariachi and tequila. And, as one might assume, the nightlife is great, with traditional music and local beverages.
