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Nearly all of Puerto Vallarta's gay clubs, bars, discos, cantinas and lounges are on the South Side and two 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. 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 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, 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 Paco's Ranch (formerly 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. 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 entertainment from 10pm-4am Tues-Sun. The staff just happens to be good looking as well. A men's club only. No cover. Happy hour, 1am-4am daily.  Tues-Sun, 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 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 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

Diva's - South Side - 388 Francisco Madero.
Cantina bar with daily specials; 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, 2pm-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 - 301-A Insurgentes (formerly at 361 Lazaro Cardenas).  Tel: 222-3668
Gay-owned, gay-friendly Mexican cantina with 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. No cover and cheap drinks. Popular among locals. Now in the new location on Insurgentes street at Carranza, one block from the old haunt. Spaghetti night on Weds from 5pm-8pm, 50 pesos.  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". Often live music during the season, guitar or piano and jazz singer, starting around 10pm. Friendly owners German and Javier to serve you. Good reports on the music. Voted #1 martini bar in Puerto Vallarta in 2008. No cover. Up the street from Kit Kat and Barrio Sur restaurants. Happy hour, 6pm-9pm.  Daily, 6pm-Midnight.

Hotel 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

La Miseria - South Side - 267-D Lazaro Cardenas street.
Cantina bar.

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.  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 beautifully decorated; we'll see how it goes this time around. Daily, 10pm-4am

Club Mañana - South Side - 290 V. Carranza.  Tel: 222-7772
Puerto 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 Paco's Ranch and down the street from the Senor Frog's store on the South Side. DJs 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. Cover in evening. Happy hour daily until 9pm. Open Tues-Sun, Noon-6am; Mon, 5pm-6am

No Borders - Centro - 221 Libertad.
Happy hour, 5pm-9pm
 

The Palm - South Side - 508 Olas Altas.  Tel: 223-3913
now closed, again. let's see what happens next at this location.

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. DJ spinning on Sat, 8pm-1am; T-dance on Sunday, 7pm-Midnight. Cover after 9pm. Happy hour, 7-9pm.  Daily, 7pm-2am

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, 6pm-7pm.  Daily, 6pm-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 some straight.  Daily, 9pm-4am.

South Beach - South Side - 265 Ignacio Vallarta.  Tel: 223-4007
One of Vallarta's newest and hottest dance clubs, located between Paco's Ranch and La Noche. Bar and restaurant, serving food and drink downstairs, and a dance area upstairs with DJ Nosferatu.  Happy hour, 6pm-8:30pm

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.

Vanilla & Kinky - South Side -200 Basilio Badillo upstairs. Tel: 2231797
New bar upstairs. One room is vanilla and the other is...well....you get the idea.  Daily, 5pm-2am.

Mr. Gay Puerto Vallarta 2008 Results (with video) The Mr. Gay Puerto Vallarta 2008 Competition, which began at 9 pm on September 14th at the former Sr. Frog's Club on PV's South Side, stimulated the audience well into the night as they watched 9 handsome and hunky men strutting their stuff in an attempt to claim the Mr. Gay Puerto Vallarta 2008 title.

Organized by and benefited local non-profit Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. (Vallarta Confronts AIDS in English,) the night began with charismatic dancers dressed as Roman warriors and an opening performance by special guest host Alejandra La Bogue......Congratulations to this year's Mr. Gay Puerto Vallarta, Alejandro Lamas Bogarín....

Some of the Annual Gay Happenings in Puerto Vallarta

Annual Latin Fever - Thanksgiving weekend, November 27-December 1, 2008
Venues include Blue Seas resort, Paco's Ranch, Blue Chairs hotel, Marazul and Oscar's restaurants.

Steve Buczek's Annual Leather & Bear Week in PV - January 25-Febuary 1, 2009
Venues and hosts include Blue Chairs resort, Abbey hotel, Club Manana and DeWayne's Oasis. Further info at beefdip.com

Vallarta Heat - Feb 22-March 1, 2009
Women's week in Puerto Vallarta. Contact Deb Parent at deb@conxity.com & further info at vallartaheat.com