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Nearly all of the Puerto Vallarta gay nightlife scene - the night clubs, bars, discos, cantinas, lounges and antros are on the South Side/Zona Romantica, and three are 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. Sunset will find the gay crowd poolside at Vallarta Cora and at the rooftop of the Blue Chairs Sunset restaurant-bar which has daily events. Tourists tend to go out for dinner and then for conversation and drinks at Apaches, Garbo, Sama, Frida, La Noche or Los Amigos. 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 nightclub Manana, Paco's Ranch (formerly Club Paco Paco) or Los Balcones to dance, drink, converse and cruise. The male stripper shows at several nightclubs are popular - Anthropology and Manana take the lead with quite a few handsome strippers in their line ups. By the way, the legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. I also advise you to keep track of your tab at all the gay clubs, bars and fine Puerto Vallarta restaurants in town. In general the thriving Puerto Vallarta gay nightlife and entertainment scene in the discos tends to start late, usually livening up around midnight or so, and of course weekends are the most active time both at the gay bars and at the Puerto Vallarta gay beach. Antropology - Central/Downtown - 101 Morelos, Plaza Rio Cuale. "The study of Man." Anthropology generally features close to 20 male strippers who give near continuous entertainment from 9pm to 4am nightly. The strippers are attractive, extra friendly and very entertaining as one would be by dancing on the bar, the floor and the table. A good place to come alone or bring friends and the gay bar staff here just happens to be good looking as well. Promotes itself as Mexico's only gay male stripper bar where the strippers take it all off - for men only. Cover, but free passes are often available at many gay hotels and the gay beach. Club can be booked in advance on a limited basis for private parties.  Daily 9pm-4am Apaches - South Side/Zona Romantica - 439 Olas Altas.  Tel: 222-4004, 222-5235 Marianne and Andrea own and operate one of Puerto Vallarta's most festive martini and cocktail bars, serving all kinds of delicious drinks. This small and cozy locale has been popular with gay and straight locals and tourists alike for more than ten years. Inside and sidewalk seating. Next door is Apaches Bistro restaurant 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 At the Blue Chairs gay hotel resort with its rooftop restaurant, lovely views of Banderas Bay and a small wading pool; serving a variety of food, including Mexican and seafood. Mon is Karaoke night, 8pm; Tues is gay bingo, 7:30pm; Weds with The new Dirty Bitches Show, 8:30pm; Thurs is Pool T-dance and Diana's after-Cruise party at 5pm; Fri is Sunset T-dance pool party at 5pm; Sat is Blue Hombre Male Dancers show, 8pm; Sun with The Dirty Bitches Show, 8:30pm. Call for further info. Happy hour 10am-5pm.  Daily, 10am-midnight

Casanovas - South Side - 302 Lazaro Cardenas.
Male stripper shows every night from 11pm-3am. Also appealing to some straight female clients. Reports are these guys know how to put on a good sexy show.  Mon-Sat, 10pm-4am

Club Zenit - South Side - 235 Pino Suarez.
National DJs spinning so you can boogie your night away around their outdoor pool. Beer, juice and bottle water only 20 pesos.  Daily, 10pm-6am

Diva's - South Side - 388 Francisco Madero.  Tel: 044-322-152-1519
Cantina bar with daily specials; host and owner Jose Miguel. "A little touch of attitude". Becoming increasingly popular with gay tourists, locals and Mexicans as it is an intimate and friendly neighborhood bar. Now with draft beer and iced buckets of beer.  Daily, 2pm-2am

El Cabaret - South Side - 284 Basilio Badillo.  Tel: 222-7772
Dining, cocktails and entertainment in the evening with such performers in 2010 as The Kinsey Sicks, Lea DeLaria, celebrity impersonator Joanna and vocalist Kim Kuzma. Part of the best in gay Puerto Vallarta and the expanding and ever lively Club Manana complex. El Cabaret is accessible through the main Mañana night club entrance as well.  Daily, 6pm-2am

El Pianito - South Side - 284 Basilio Badillo upstairs.  Tel: 222-7772
Puerto Vallarta's new and lively piano bar, with Ron Pass and Bobby Wetherbee at the piano, Thursday to Sunday, 9pm-1am. Another addition to Club Manana, Puerto Vallarta's largest gay nightclub-entertainment complex. Upstairs from El Cabaret restaurant. Happy hour, 6pm-9pm.  Daily, 6pm-2am

Encuentros - South Side - 312 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-0643
Gay owned 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 - 301-A Insurgentes (formerly at 361 Lazaro Cardenas).  Tel: 222-3668
Mexican-style cantina with bar and 4-5 tables downstairs from 1pm and a more expansive upstairs area with bar and balcony for people watching, drinks and conversation open at 7pm. Very popular among locals since 2001 for its coziness, reasonable drink prices and many friendly, familiar faces. Now in the new location on Insurgentes street at Carranza, one block from the old haunt. Spaghetti night on Weds, 60 pesos; a different dinner selection nightly, 6pm-Midnight.  Daily, 1pm-2am  Frida website here

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, guitar or piano and jazz singer, starting at 10:30pm. Friendly owners German and Javier to serve you. Good reports on the music. Voted #1 Puerto Vallarta martini bar in 2008. No cover. Next door to the Abbey gay Hotel and just down from Coco's restaurant.  Daily, 6pm-Midnight.

Hotel Mercurio Pool Bar - South Side - 168 Francisca Rodríguez.  Tel: 222-4793
Pool-side bar at the gay Hotel Mercurio. Happy hour, 3pm-6pm, with beer at 10 pesos and margaritas and piña coladas 2 for 1.  Daily, 3pm-10:30pm

La Miseria - South Side - 267-D Lazaro Cardenas street.
Cantina bar, in the evenings for drinks and the techno-house music.

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, with 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/Downtown - 182 Juarez street, upstairs.  Tel: 222-0261
Now re-opened under new ownership and management after a lapse of some 3 years. Los Balcones was Puerto Vallarta's oldest gay club, in operation since 1983. In its heyday, Los Balcones was the best dance and drink bar in town, as it was unique and wonderfully decorated; and they've done something special again. Hope it catches on as the place is a beauty. Daily, 10pm-6am

Club Manana - South Side - 290 V. Carranza.  Tel: 222-7772
Club Manana, Puerto Vallarta's newest and currently the most popular gay dance club and discotheque (photo left), is an open-style Hacienda house with dancing in the indoor air-conditioned disco portion 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 nightlife entertainment places in the whole town. Just around the corner from Paco's Ranch and down the street from the Senor Frog's store on the South Side. DJs Marko, Eduardo, Ramses and Alex. Poolside cafe open daily, Noon-7pm, serving soup, salads and sandwiches. Stripper shows nightly at 11:30 PM; inquire about other shows or special guests. Voted the "#1 Dance Club in Puerto Vallarta" in the Virtual Vallarta readers' choice awards. Club Mañana certainly makes an effort to spice up the nightlife in gay Vallarta. Cover charge. The club Manana complex has recently expanded to include the El Cabaret restaurant-entertainment center and Puerto Vallarta's newest piano bar, El Pianito, both located at 284 Basilio Badillo street. Happy hour daily until 9pm.  Open Tues-Sun, Noon-6am; Mon, 5pm-6am

No Borders - Centro - 221 Libertad upstairs.  Tel: 044-322-136-8775
Cantina style Mexican bar with friendly Julio as one of your bartenders - definitely consider wearing your cowboy hat. Has a pleasant rooftop patio area with some views of the town. The Puerto Vallarta original gay Bingo returns starting November 19 and every Thursday at 7pm with hosts Emery and David. Happy hour, 5pm-9pm.  Daily 5pm-2am
 

Picante - South Side - 264 Ignacio Vallarta at Cardenas.  Tel: 223-4007
One of Vallarta's newer and hottest dance clubs, Picante (formerly known as South Beach) is located on the corner between Paco's Ranch and La Noche. The bar and restaurant serves food and drink downstairs, and a dance area upstairs with DJ Nosferatu playing techno, electronic dance and hip hop.  Happy hour, 8pm-10pm

Sama - South Side - 510 Olas Altas.  Tel: 223-3182
Olas Altas upscale martini lounge with both air conditioned indoor seating and open air patio seating overlooking Olas Altas. Beautifully renovated decor features comfortable white leather lounge seating in an atmosphere that is sophisticated yet fun, full of music and videos yet you can still hold a conversation with your friends, intimate and cozy or large and open for a group of friends to gather and a selection of beverages that will satisfy any taste. Friendly staff and service with owner Jose Gonzalez.  Tues-Sun, 6pm-1am  Sama website here

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 some straight.  Daily, 9pm-4am.

Vallarta Cora - South Side - 174 Pilitas.  Tel: 223-2815, 222-6263
At the Vallarta Cora gay hotel with heated pool, patio, video room and bar service. The clothing optional jacuzzi and steam room in the backyard area reportedly get pretty steamy. Men only, with lots of locals and nationals. The 50 peso cover charge includes a drink. Popular in the early evenings after the beach.  Daily, 3pm-midnight.

Viva - South Side - 508 Olas Altas.  Tel: 222-5957
Bar disco club. Newest venue in the South Side-Zona Romantica, inside bar and entertainment area and outside street-side seating. Next door to gay martini bar Sama.

The information provided in the Gay Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide was deemed accurate when posted but changes occur, so you may wish to confirm any details directly with the business in question before planning your night out. Travel advice: I highly recommend that you check drink and food prices before ordering, always keep good track of your tab at all the gay bars and night clubs, and count your change when you go out to party, eat or dance. Please remember to be generous with your tipping. More travel tips here.

Mr. Gay Puerto Vallarta 2008 Results (with video) The Mr. Gay PV 2008 Competition, which began at 9pm on September 14th at the former Sr. Frog's Club on Vallarta's South Side stimulated the audience well into the night as they watched nine handsome and hunky men strutting their stuff in an attempt to claim the 2008 title. Congratulations to 2008's Mr. Gay Puerto Vallarta, Alejandro Lamas Bogarín, who received money, clothing, jewelry, cruises, gift certificates and much more. Organized by and benefited local non-profit Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. (Vallarta Confronts AIDS), the night began with charismatic dancers dressed as Roman warriors and an opening performance by special guest host Alejandra La Bogue.

Some of the Annual Happenings in Gay Puerto Vallarta:

Annual Latin Fever - Thanksgiving weekend, Nov 24-Nov 29, 2009
Venues include Los Balcones, Paco's Ranch, Blue Chairs hotel, Bite Me! beach club, the Marazul and Oscar's restaurants.

Vallarta Fever - Thanksgiving weekend, Nov 24-Nov 29, 2009
Gay circuit party by Club Manana and Club Papi - venues include Club Manana, Blue Chairs resort, the Bite Me! beach club, Stereo bar, Abbey gay hotel and Oscar's restaurant.

Will Gorges Annual Latin Fever
Produces and promotes the Latin Fever Thanksgiving weekend and New Years celebrations in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Steve Buczek's 7th Annual Leather & Bear Week in PV - Jan 24-Jan 31, 2010
Venues and hosts include Blue Chairs resort, Abbey hotel and Club Manana. Further info at beefdip.com