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Vallarta Condos Vallarta Villas Gay Hotels - B&Bs Gay Guide
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Here are most of the
straight bars, discos and nightclubs in Puerto Vallarta if you want to
check them out, desire a change of pace or are in town with some straight
friends. Though not comprehensive, this page does list many of the frequented
spots for drinks, music, dancing and sports watching. The most popular
straight nightlife area is the downtown malecon strip which includes such
hangouts as Carlos O'Brian's,
Hard Rock Cafe, Hilo,
Mandala,
Señor
Frog's and the Zoo. The restaurant
La Bodeguita del Medio
offers excellent live Cuban music, while Bebo Tero, Paradise
Burger and Viejo Vallarta have rock 'n
roll on a regular basis, with Bebo Tero probably the top choice
for late night rock music, drinks and views of the malecon and Banderas
Bay. The second area of nightlife is the newer one centered along Ignacio
Vallarta street on the South Side near the gay clubs Mañana and
Paco Paco where you can find live music at Club Roxy,
Mesa 61,
Mariachi Loco and sometimes El Torito, or a lively night
over along Olas Altas street at Andale. From what I
see and hear I would rate the Zoo, BeboTero and Hilo as
the top places downtown for a good time, but Señor Frog's
and Carlos O'Brian's
are also popular and often crowded as they
both serve food and alcohol and have dancing. The drinking age in Mexico
is 18. The bars and cantinas serve alcohol until 2am while dance clubs
will go until 4am-6am. Nightlife in Vallarta in the discos and clubs tends
to start late, usually livening up around 11pm to midnight.
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Andale - South Side - 425 Olas Altas.
Tel: 222-1054
The bar is on the first floor, which
can be quite crowded during the winter months. Sidewalk restaurant has
seating also on the second and third floors overlooking Olas Altas street,
8am-11pm. Daily until 2am
Bebo Tero - Central - 522 Paseo Diaz Ordaz.
Tel: 113-0099
The newest live music venue in downtown
Vallarta. Loud live rock 'n roll and an excellent view overlooking the
malecon and Banderas Bay from the second level up has made this locale
very popular with the 20-30 year old crowd. Next door to Bar Oceano which
has been around since the '60s. Bebo Tero clubs also found in Guadalajara
and Tlaquepaque. Music starts around 10:30pm. Daily, 6pm-3:30am
Carlos
O'Brian's - Central - 786 Paseo Diaz Ordaz. Tel: 222-1444
The most well-known and one of the
most popular straight drinking and dance bars in town, after 32 years (photo
at left). The restaurant serves American and Mexican food during the day
and into the evening. Almost always a young crowd and a lively DJ that
keeps things hopping - bit of a fraternity atmosphere as some people have
noted; best to go to party and dance after 10-11pm. Happy hour, Noon-6pm.
Daily, Noon-2am
Christine - North Side - Ave. de las Garzas
at the Hotel Krystal. Tel: 224-0202
Large disco dance club on the north
side of Vallarta with a capacity of around 1,200. Recently remodeled with
a complete change in the interior of the disco along with an upgraded sound
system, laser and light show and VIP rooms. Quite popular. Cover charge,
though women get in free on Tues and Fri. Daily, 8pm-4am
Club Roxy - South Side - 217 Ignacio Vallarta.
Tel: 223-2404
The only rhythm and blues venue
in Puerto Vallarta, also playing rock and reggae, with nightly music by
the house or guest band. Often a lively crowd, especially when the bands
get jamming on the weekends. The line up changes so call for further details.
Music starts around 10pm. No cover. Daily, 8pm-2am
Cuates y Cuetes - South Side - 163 Francisca
Rodríguez at pier Los Muertos. Tel: 223-2724
A restaurant/bar on Los Muertos
beach, included here as it often has good live jazz/salsa/light rock/reggae
music in the evenings from sunset until around 11pm. Popular for happy
hour. Daily, 8am-11:30pm
El Faro - Marina - 245 Paseo de la Marina.
Tel: 221-0541
Lighthouse cocktail lounge with
guitar music and panoramic views of the marina of Puerto Vallarta from
the 110 foot tower. Daily, 5pm-2am
El Torito - South Side - 290 Ignacio Vallarta.
Tel: 222-3784.
Sports bar and restaurant with seven
satellites and twenty-five televisions (straight central!), with capacity
for some 250 sports fans and revelers. Known in town for their BBQ ribs
and chicken wings, since 1982. Ladies night, Tues, Fri and Sat with cover
and open bar. Daily, 11am-4am.
Hard Rock Cafe - Central - 652 Paseo Diaz Ordaz.
Tel: 222-2230
Popular spot on the Malecon serving
American dishes and seafood. Memorabilia here includes pictures from Linda
and Paul McCartney, a Ringo Starr suit, and guitars from Bo Diddley, Carlos
Santana and Sting. Since 1990. Daily, 11am-2am.
Hilo - Central - 588 Paseo Diaz Ordaz.
Tel: 223-5361
One of Vallarta's newest straight
clubs, "hip, hot, great sound system, cool décor". Hilo, Carlos
O'Brian's, Mandala, and the ever hopping Zoo are probably the most crowded
nightlife places downtown on the malecon. Popular with an upscale 20-something
crowd. Cover charge on weekends. Daily, 4pm-6am
J&B Golden Times - South Side - Francisco
I. Madero 176. Tel: 223-3609
Live music, Weds-Sat, with cumbia,
romantica, merengue, danzon, tango, rock & roll. Mon-Sun, 7pm-4am
J&B Salsa Club - North Side - Blvd. Francisco
Medina Ascencio #2043, Km 2.5. Tel: 224-4616
Latin based music, from salsa and
merengue to samba. Often with live bands on the weekends. Fodor's guide
calls it "the best club in town for dancing to live salsa." Mon-Sat,
10pm-6am
La Bodeguita del Medio - Central - 858 Paseo
Diaz Ordaz. Tel 223-1585
Cuban cuisine in the upstairs and
downstairs dining areas with pleasant views of the malecon and the Bay.
Live traditional Cuban music, boleros and rumbas from around 9pm to midnight
or so. Daily, Noon-2am
Mariachi Loco - South Side - 254 Lazaro Cardenas.
Tel: 223-2205
For a change of pace and some real
local flavor, try this restaurant and bar with live Mariachi, the native
music of the state of Jalisco. Menu includes shrimp, Mexican dishes, spare
ribs and fish filet. Dinner from 6:30pm; Live music from 8pm; Mariachi
show from 10pm. Daily, 6:30pm-3am
Mandala - Central - 640 Paseo Diaz Ordaz.
Vallarta's newest high-tech restaurant,
disco and video bar, next door to The Zoo, where Club 69 and Mogambo used
to be. Becoming popular with the tourist and upscale crowds.
Mesa 61 - South Side - 264 Ignacio Vallarta.
Tel: 223-2175
Relatively new bar-restaurant with
food, drinks and weekend music with a guest DJ in the upstairs loft/lounge.
At the corner of Vallarta and Cardenas streets across from Mariachi Loco.
Daily, 8am-2am
No Name Cafe - Central - 460 Morelos.
Tel: 223-2508
Combination sports bar and restaurant
(straight central!) with some 30-plus televisions with major national and
international sports coverage. Large sports memorabilia collection. Popular
for lunch and dinner - BBQ ribs and deep dish Chicago style pizza are the
house specialties. Occasionally with live rock 'n roll. Daily, 8am-2am
Paradise
Burger - Central - 740 Paseo Diaz Ordaz. Tel: 223-2328.
All American fare with some Mexican
specialties added in to spice things up, and a great location ocean front
in the middle of the Malecon. They usually have live rock 'n roll in the
evening during the winter, Thurs to Sat nights. Daily, 10am-1am
Señor Frog's - Downtown - 518 Morelos.
Tel: 222-5177
This restaurant and international
night-club chain with a lively atmosphere, especially on the weekends,
has moved over to downtown from the South Side. Big drinks and loud music
make this a favorite with the younger straight set. A college spring break
favorite. Often crowded. Food until midnight. Daily, 10am-1am
Steve's Sports Bar - South Side - 286 Basilio
Badillo. Tel: 222-0256
Lots of conversation, drinks, simple
food, board games and sports on the 8-10 televisions. "Vallarta's NASCAR
headquarters. American and Canadian satellite systems show NFL, CFL, NHL,
MLB, NBA, NCAA basketball and Formula 1 racing". Daily, 11am-10pm
Viejo Vallarta - Central - 484 Morelos upstairs.
Tel: 222-0589, 222-8558
Lively restaurant and bar. Sometimes
features local bands playing ska, reggae, punk, rock and the blues in the
evenings. Located across the street from the Boy on the Sea Horse statue
on the malecón, since 1969. Restaurant open 11am-11pm; bar,
11am-4am.
the Zoo - Central - 630 Paseo Diaz Ordaz.
Tel: 222-4945
Great sounds and a cool ambiance
make the Zoo one of the most popular straight night clubs in Puerto Vallarta.
The music is a combination of techno, dance, Latin, reggae and pop and
the DJ knows how to mix 'em good. Usually a cover charge. Bar opens
10am; music starts daily, 10pm-4am.
Further info and visitors' reviews of Puerto Vallarta's Nightlife can be found here: Yahoo Travel and here: Virtual tourist and here: All Vallarta
Notes: Hooters and Planet
Hollywood are no longer in Puerto Vallarta. Adios! Kahlua and Mogambo were
sold in 2007 and replaced by the quite popular disco-restaurant Mandala.
Senor Frog's moved from V. Carranza street on the South Side to downtown
at 518 Morelos, where Planet Hollywood once was years ago.
Dance bar Hilo on the malecon
Bebo Tero - popular for live
rock and roll
Hilo nightclub
(photo thanks to Stephen Manente)
