Pubs and Clubs of Oaxaca

Pubs and Clubs of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico (A)

Oaxaca is a very artistic city, full of musicians and artists trying to get their revolutionary message out. It has a few salsa joints but Oaxaquenos would rather be heard. There are some fantastic funky little pubs that have live music or even at times poetry readings. Later on in the night you can check out live bands in night clubs or reggeaton in sweaty clubs that pour onto the streets.
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Sights Featured in This Article

Guide Name: Pubs and Clubs of Oaxaca
Guide Location: Mexico » Oaxaca
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (A))
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 2.0 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Author: Tracy Gaudreau
Author Bio: My name is Tracy Gaudreau and I am originally from Canada. I have a strong passion for Latin America. After working in the travel industry and then backpacking for several years I moved to Oaxaca, Mexico. I ran a hostel in Oaxaca and also wrote for the local English newspaper. I fell in love with this city and hope to help others do the same.
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Fandango/ La Embajada
  • La Nueva Babel
  • Cafe del Borgo
  • Freebar
  • La Tentacion
  • Elefante
  • Cafe Central
1
Fandango/ La Embajada

1) Fandango/ La Embajada

Fandango reads on the outside of the building but the area has three interconnecting bars known as la Casa de los Perros. The actual Fandango part has a more retro style with a long bar. Through a dorrway you will find Embajada which is a favourite amongst students and travelers. It’s a great place to hang out with friends or even meet some new ones. You can take in the relaxed atmosphere on couches drinking beer, cocktails, hot chocolate and teas. The music is a mix of rock, alternative and reggae which can be enjoyed while playing a game of Jenga or trivia from their board game collection. The decor covering the walls ia a random collage of photos, magazine clippings and maps. Certain nights during the week you can get treated to free shots of mezcal.

Hours of Operation: 6:00pm – 1:00am
2
La Nueva Babel

2) La Nueva Babel

The Bohemian lifestyle of Oaxaca comes alive in this small artistic pub. Here you can sip a drink while enjoying live music, attend an open mic night or a poetry reading. It has three small cozy rooms on the ground floor one being a court yard. Upstairs is an eclectically decorated loft with little tables and cushions to drink around and chat with friends. The rooms downstairs are unique show cases of artwork and designs with comfy pillows and tables covered in collages. When there is a performance going on people are wedged in where they can sitting on the stairs and sharing bench space especially if Leo Arvizu is playing. Leo is a local musician who works magic with the guitar playing flamenco and traditional Latin American music. They have a selection of wines, cocktails, beer and mezcal here to enjoy. As well they also offer a range of food from appetizers to light snacks. This café has long been a meeting place for artists, musicians and revolutionaries to drink and share ideas.
3
Cafe del Borgo

3) Cafe del Borgo

Café Del Borgo is one of many bars on a block of calle Matamoros where you can bar hop. This small almost pub like bar has become the place in Oaxaca to enjoy live blues and Jazz entertainment. This classy little joint fits a small stage in the corner. Borgo draws a mix of people from the older expats who come for the music, young professionals out for an after work drink as well as tourists and students. You can sit and drink at a table that looks out onto the street or on a high stool or at the bar. Borgo has a great easy going atmosphere with a friendly owner. It’s a great place to meet for a drink before heading onto the clubs. They offer a range of drinks and tapas, Jazz is every Sunday night and a blues band plays every Friday with no cover charge.
4
Freebar

4) Freebar

Freebar next to Café Del Borgo gives you a completely different vibe. This is a hot night spot where the music is turned up and gyrating bodies are crammed into the dance floor to beats of the best reggeaton Latin America has to offer. They do however like to mix it up a bit with pop, hip hop, electronic, rock, salsa and cumbia. This packed throbbing bar is a place to get sweaty and dance to some Daddy Yankee with a beer in hand. There isn’t usually a cover charge but when there is it’s only 20 pesos and includes a free beer. There are drink promotions different nights of the week to look out for. Freebar is popular with a mix of young foreigners and locals. The décor is minimal in this dark bar but a party crowd is guaranteed.

Hour of operation: 9:00pm to 3:00am
5
La Tentacion

5) La Tentacion

La Tentacion or in English the temptation is the place to try out your salsa moves. This bar is upstairs and opens up to a good dance space. Nights in La Tentación are accompanied by hot rhythms with live groups playing salsa, meringue, cumbia, reggae, and ska as well as selections by a DJ. When it comes to salsa, this is the real deal. This is where the locals come to show off their moves. You can sit back and watch them spin and turn their partners or you can give into temptation and try it out for yourself. On different days of the week they feature local bands and different types of music to sit back and enjoy. On weekends come prepared to dance. There is an endless bar menu of beers, liquors and cocktails.

Hours of operation; 10:00am – 3:00am Tuesday to Sunday
6
Elefante

6) Elefante

This massive club draws a huge party crowd on weekends and nights during the week when they have drink promotions. There are two levels to the club with a huge dance floor that has seating around the edges. There are many long bars and waiters attending tables so you will never have to wait for a drink. On occasion they have discounted prices on drinks or shots of mezcal offered as you enter the premise. They have various events from live music and fashion shows to spice up a night of reggeaton, Latin and international music. This bar stays open into the late hours of the morning and on a random night of the week is a happening after hours haunt.
7
Cafe Central

7) Cafe Central

This is where the artistic, bohemian and alternative crowds of Oaxaca come out to play. Central is owned by one of Oaxaca's innovative painters, Guillermo Olguín. During the week the bar hosts various events such as art shows, music acts and independent films. Some of these events have cover charges that range in cost. The wall space is used as a gallery for local artists to display their work and join the ranks of the many famous Oaxacan artists. On the weekends the bar turns into a night club with a varied selection of funk, ska, pop, Latin and international music.

Hours of Operation: Approximately 9:00pm – 2:00am Wednesday to Saturday

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Pubs and Clubs of Oaxaca

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Oaxaca is a very artistic city, full of musicians and artists trying to get their revolutionary message out. It has a few salsa joints but Oaxaquenos would rather be heard. There are some fantastic funky little pubs that have live music or even at times poetry readings. Later on in the night you can...