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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 nightlife hot spots for drinks, music, dancing and sports watching. The most popular straight nightlife area is the downtown malecon strip which includes such hangouts as  Hilo, Mandala, Señor Frog's, the Zoo and Hard Rock Cafe, The restaurant La Bodeguita del Medio offers excellent live Cuban music, La Chata and La Destileria restaurants have mariachi, while Bebo Tero and Viejo Vallarta have live rock 'n roll on a regular basis (sometimes at Paradise Burger as well), with Bebo Tero probably the top choice for late night rock music, drinks and views of the malecon and Banderas Bay. There's also nightlife at La Regadera and De Santos on Morelos street, one street up from the Malecon. The second area of nightlife is the newer one centered along Ignacio Vallarta street on the South Side near the gay clubs Mañana and The Ranch where you can find live music and a good time at Club Roxy, Mariachi Loco and sometimes El Torito sports bar, or some lively Vallarta nightlife over along Olas Altas street at Andale. From what I see and hear I would rate the Zoo, Hilo, BeboTero and Mandala as the top places downtown for a good time, but Señor Frog's is 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. Vallarta nightlife in the discos and clubs tends to start late, usually livening up around 11pm to midnight. Andale - South Side - 425 Olas Altas.  Tel:  222-1054 The bar is on the first floor, which can be quite crowded and loud during the winter months. Sidewalk restaurant has seating also on the second and third floors overlooking Olas Altas street, 8am-11pm.  Daily until 2am Bar Oceano - Central - 565 Paseo Díaz Ordaz, upstairs.  Tel: 222-0959 Cantina overlooking the malecon, with one of the oldest and more celebrated histories in Puerto Vallarta, as Liz Taylor, Richard Burton and director John Huston used to drink there in the '60s and '70s.  Daily, 10am-1am BeboTero - 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.
Now closed. Clothing store is still open, but the bar-restaurant is closed and has reportedly been sold.

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 (photo at left). Cover charge, though women get in free on Tues and Fri.  Daily, 9pm-4am

Cheeky Monkey - Central - 556 Paseo Diaz Ordaz at Corona, upstairs.  Tel: 222-8938
Italian restaurant and bar on the second and third floors above the malecon, with balcony views of Banderas Bay. Pasta, sandwiches, salads, subs.  Daily, Noon-10pm

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

De Santos - Centro/Downtown - 771 Morelos.  Tel: 223-3052
Mediterranean international cuisine from Spain and Italy in a chic environment. After dinner the place becomes a straight disco nightclub. House DJ spins a combo of flamenco, mood, lounge, and jazz music for meals and later. One of the owners is a member of Mexico's most famous rock group Mana.  Dinner daily, 5pm-1am; music begins around 11pm-4am.

El Barril - Centro - Guerrero 225 at Juárez.  Tel: 223-2155
Downtown cantina with street side views and cheap beer. Mon-Sat 1:00pm-2:00am

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, 6pm-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

Glam - Central - 460 Morelos.
Puerto Vallarta's newest upscale downtown disco, restaurant and bar located next door to Viejo Vallarta where the No Name Cafe used to be, at Mina street. Two levels, 8 different terraces for seating, and plenty of TV screens and music. Restaurant and bar, 8am-11pm; Disco, 11pm-6am

Hard Rock Cafe - Centro - 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.

High - South Side - 329 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-8868
After-hours late night dance club bar. If you like to party until daylight this maybe the place for you.  Wed-Sat, Midnight-8am

Hilo - Centro/Downtown - 588 Paseo Diaz Ordaz.  Tel: 223-5361
One of Vallarta's newest straight clubs, "hip, hot, great sound system, cool décor". Hilo, Mandala, Senor Frog's and the 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-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. Live bands on the weekends, Fri and Sat nights. 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

La Regadera - Centro/Downtown - 666 Morelos.  Tel:
Cantina, bar and downtown dance club. Best known and popular with locals as a karaoke bar, with some 7,000 songs in english and spanish to choose from and 13 large plasma screens.  Mon-Sat, 9pm-4am

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.

Monchis Sport Bar - South Side - 245-A Cardenas.
Popular local watering hole. "Forget the big-chain tourist joints and sketchy local dive bars and stop in to Monchis for a ridiculously cheap icy cold Corona or Pacifico....The friendly gang here likes to casually drink, laugh, and swap local gossip. There's no food here, we prefer to drink our lunch, thank you very much, but popcorn, peanuts, and snacks come out regularly."

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 - Centro/Downtown - 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.

Z'Tai - Central - 737 Morelos.  Tel: 222-0306
Restaurant, lounge and garden that spans a city block from front to back. Discover three different concepts combining a stylish Pacific Rim International restaurant, a Zen like garden, and an oceanfront view Minimal Bar lounge upstairs overlooking Banderas Bay. Entering from the malecón is the ZBar, an upstairs lounge with chill-out music, bay views, and comfy banquettes to relax on. Venture farther and you'll find an expansive open air garden area that serves cocktails as well as an array of Asian-inspired dining and snacking options, accompanied by electronic music at a level still appropriate for conversation. Seating is casual and spans several elevations, overlooking Zen gardens and flowing ponds. At the opposite end (Calle Morelos entrance), there's an air-conditioned dining area.  Daily for food, 6pm to 2am, bar service until 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  The info on this and other pages was deemed accurate when posted, but can change. Please be sure to confirm any rates and details directly with the businesses in question before planning your night out.

Note: Kahlua and Mogambo were sold in 2007 and replaced by the now 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 was located several years ago.