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Nearly all of Puerto Vallarta's gay clubs, bars, discos, cantinas and lounges are on the South Side and one is just north of the Cuale River, which runs through the middle of town. The gay bars are within a rather short distance of each other. Gay nightlife and dancing start late at the clubs in Puerto Vallarta, especially on the weekends. Sunset will find the gay crowd poolside at Vallarta Cora and at the rooftop bar of the Blue Sunset, which has daily events. Tourists tend to go out for dinner and then for conversation and drinks at Apaches, Garbo, Frida, La Noche, Los Amigos or Sama. Later on they go to the disco clubs after midnight until the early morning hours. People will often walk the circuit from one place to the next until they end up at Manana or Club Paco Paco to dance, drink and cruise. The stripper shows at several clubs are popular and Mañana and Antropology take the lead with quite a few strippers in their line ups. Oasis also puts on a good show several nights a week with the papi chulo dancers. The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. I advise you to keep track of your tab at all the gay clubs, bars and restaurants in town.

Antropology  - Central - 101 Morelos, Plaza Rio Cuale.
"The study of Man." Antropology has an interesting and unique Mayan/Aztec motif. There's an upstairs bar with a pleasant atmosphere for drinks and conversation, as well as a quieter rooftop bar and sitting area with street viewing. A good number "the youngest strippers in town" give near continuous entermatainment from 10pm-4am every night. The staff just happens to be good looking as well. A men's club only. No cover. Happy hour, 1am-4am daily and Mon-Weds.  Daily, 9pm-4am.

Apaches - South Side - 439 Olas Altas.  Tel: 222-4004
Marianne owns and operates this festive martini and cocktail bar in Puerto Vallarta, serving all kinds of delicious drinks. This small and cozy locale has been popular with gay and straight locals and tourists alike for over ten years. Inside and sidewalk seating. Next door is Apaches Bistro serving steaks, seafood and continental fare from 5pm to midnight. Happy hour, 5pm-7pm.  Open Mon-Sat, 5pm-2am.

Blue Sunset Rooftop Bar and Restaurant - Los Muertos beach - Calle Malecon y Almendro #4.  Tel: 222-5040
Rooftop at the Blue Chairs Resort with restaurant, lovely views of Banderas Bay and a small wading pool; serving a variety of food, including Mexican and seafood.  Mon is movie night, 8:30pm; Tues is gay bingo, 7pm-9pm; Weds and Sun are the Dirty Bitches shows, 7pm and 9pm; Thurs is Cruise party at 5pm; Fri is Karaoke at 7pm; Sat is Blue Hombre show at 7:30pm. Call for further info.  Daily, 10am-midnight

Descanso Sunrest Rooftop Bar - South Side - 583 Pino Suarez.  Tel: 222-5229
The rooftop terrace bar at the Descanso del Sol hotel has views of all Banderas Bay from Punta de Mita to Cabo Corrientes. It comes to life later in the afternoon an hour or so before sunset. There is a small wading pool on the rooftop as well as a lookout terrace area. Daily, 4pm-9pm

Diva's - South Side - 388 Francisco Madero.  Tel: 223-2958
Newest cantina bar with daily specials, with host and owner Jose Miguel. "A little touch of attitude". Becoming increasingly popular with gay locals and mexicans as it is an intimate and friendly neighborhood bar.  Daily, 3pm-2am

Encuentros - South Side - 312 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-0643
Upscale pizza bar lounge, nicely decorated. Lovely place for drinks, conversation and a snack, with such appetizers as tuna, chicken, cold crab, beef, and guacamole. Mixed clientele. Happy hour, 8pm-10pm.  Daily, 6pm-2am

Frida  - South Side - 361 Lazaro Cardenas.
Gay-owned, gay-friendly Mexican cantina with 8 or 9 tables and bar for drinks and conversation. Draws a mostly lavender crowd. No cover and inexpensive drinks. Popular among locals.  Daily, 1pm-2am

Garbo - South Side - 142 Pulpito.  Tel: 223-5753
An upscale ambience and a well-dressed crowd make this a popular choice for tourists and locals alike. Elegant "minimalist Deco". Live music during the season every night except Tues, guitar or piano and jazz singer, starting around 10:30pm. Friendly owners German and Javier and waiter Lalo to serve you. Good reports on the music. No cover. Up the street from Kit Kat restaurant. Happy hour, 6pm-9pm.  Daily, 6pm-2am.

Kit Kat - South Side - 120 Pulpito.  Tel: 223-0093
Upscale lounge with chic decor and tasty international cuisine, reminiscent of a New York high-styled club. Cushy chairs and cream colored, over-stuffed banquets add to the Art Deco ambiance. Long time favorite gay spot for dinner and cocktails. Gay owned, mixed crowd.  Daily, 5pm-1am.

La Noche - South Side - 257 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-3364
Intimate bar/lounge with soft music and subdued lighting, "where conversation is encouraged". Daily martini specials, with over 25 choices on the menu. Popular. Happy hour, 7pm-9pm.  Daily, 7pm-2am.

Los Amigos Bar - South Side - 237 Venustiano Carranza upstairs.  Tel: 222-7802
Upstairs next door to Paco's Ranch, this gay bar cantina has been a lively and colorful place with a pleasant ambiance for over eight years. The bar opens out onto a terrace in the back, giving the place an open feeling. Los Amigos attracts a festive mix of gay locals and tourists. No cover, inexpensive drinks.  Daily, 6pm-4am.

Los Balcones - Central - 182 Juarez street
Closed. Los Balcones was Puerto Vallarta's oldest gay club, but closed its doors after 22 years, alas.

Club Mañana - South Side - 290 V. Carranza.  Tel: 222-7772
Vallarta's newest gay club is an open-style Hacienda with dancing in the indoor air-conditioned disco as well as on the outdoor patio area. International guest performers, strippers and drag queens perform regularly. Beautifully appointed and now one of the most popular places in town with dancing inside and out. Just around the corner from club Paco Paco and down the street from the Senor Frog's store. DJs Ramses and Alex. Stripper shows nightly at 11:30 PM; inquire about other shows or special guests. Cover.  Sun-Thurs, 9pm-6am; Fri and Sat, 9pm-8am

Mercurio's Pool Bar - South Side - 168 Francisca Rodríguez. Tel: 222-4793
Pool-side bar at the gay Hotel Mercurio. Happy hour, 3pm-6pm.  Daily, 3pm-10:30pm

Oasis - South Side - 156 Pilitas street at Amapas.  Tel: 223-5273
DeWayne's Oasis bar with karaoke and male strippers. The main bar with music and videos by DJ Daddy "O"; also a nice rooftop area to view the stars. Karaoke on Thurs, 9pm-Midnight; Papi Chulo dancers, Tues, Fri and Sat, 9pm and 11pm during the winter season. Happy hour, 6pm-8pm.  Open Tues-Sun, 6pm-2am.

Club Paco Paco - South Side - 278 Ignacio Vallarta.  Tel: 222-1899
Puerto Vallarta's gay nightlife has long centered around Club Paco Paco (photo right), which has been the most famous and largest gay club in town for years. Even the straight locals all know its name and location. The ground level, which is open from 10pm-6am, has two bars and a large modern disco dance floor with lights, lasers and artificial fog. The DJs play a combo of techno, hip hop, electronic and pop disco. The cantina on the second floor, which opens during the day at 1pm, has a bar, pool table and jukebox. On the third level is the rooftop bar and the outdoor terraces with their views of the town. During the winter months the rooftop bar area is quite popular until around midnight, after which people descend to watch the drag/transvestite show in the club, go over to see the strippers in The Ranch, or walk the circuit to Mañana, Anthropology and the Olas Altas street bars. The Ranch is connected through a passageway in the back of Club Paco Paco near the bathrooms. The cover charge after 9pm includes the colorful and quite popular drag shows Thurs to Sat nights at 1am and 3am. The place is usually hopping from around midnight to 4am, especially on the weekends.  Happy hour, 1pm-9pm.  Daily, 1pm-6am.

Plasma - South Side - 235 Pino Suarez.
The one gay bar in town with videos on a plasma screen, pool table, and a back room/labyrinth for men. Happy hour, 6-9pm.  Daily, 6pm-2am

The Ranch - South Side - 239 Venustiano Carranza.  Tel: 223-0537
The Ranch is a split level disco bar/cantina with a large bar area and dance floor. Located around the corner from Club Paco Paco and next door to the entrance to the gay bar Los Amigos, the main attraction at the Ranch are the stripper shows at 11:30pm and 1am. Cover charge includes a national drink, the stripper shows and also the drag show in Club Paco Paco, which is connected through a passageway in the back of the bar. Music by DJ Miguel. Happy hour, 9pm-Midnight.  Daily, 9pm-6am.

Sama - South Side - 510 Olas Altas.  Tel: 223-3182
Trendy and elegant new martini bar located next door to Mama Dolores restaurant on Olas Altas street, with sidewalk and inside air-conditioned seating. Friendly staff and service with owner Jose Gonzalez. Happy hour, 5pm-7pm.  Daily, 5pm-2am.

Stereo - South Side - 267 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 111-4243 and 123-8030
Small kewl dance club-bar with a European style in ambience and music. DJ Erick from Kit Kat on Mon, DJ Juancho on Weds, and the other nights with popular DJ Ramses mixing pop with house. Mixed young gay and straight.  Daily, 9pm-4am.

Vallarta Cora - South Side - 174 Pilitas.  Tel: 223-2815
At the Vallarta Cora gay hotel with heated pool, patio, video room and bar service. The clothing optional jacuzzi and steam room reportedly get pretty steamy. Men only, lots of locals and nationals. Cover includes a drink. Popular in the early evening after the beach.  Daily, 3pm-midnight.

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