cancun nightlife

The night is always young in Cancun at Congo Bar. (Photo: Getty Images)

Cancún

Out on the Town in Cancún: Dancing, Drinking and Nightlife

Cancún nightlife is legendary, and still you might find it tough to figure out where you should go to enjoy the city’s party-hearty reputation. Whether you want to stay in the hotel zone or enjoy some spots downtown, these are your best options for a great night of non-stop drinking, dancing, and delicious food.

THE BIG TWO: FOR TOURISTS

It’s hard not to hear about Coco Bongo and Mandala as a tourist in Cancún. These two clubs are really designed for one thing: a night of drinking, dancing, and debauchery without ever having to worry about your wallet. Both clubs charge a flat entrance fee, either in the form of an advance-purchase ticket or cover at the door, and both bars are open all night, usually until 4 or 5am.

Coco Bongo Show & Disco

cancun nightlife
You won’t lack for surprises at Coco Bongo. (Photo: Getty Images)

This chain has three locations. In Cancún they put on a Vegas-style show boasting musical tributes, flying acrobats, wild costumes, and a VIP experience that includes bottle service and a view.

Mandala Night Club

Mandala Night Club also has multiple locations, popping up in Playa del Carmen, Cabos, and Vallarta. If you don’t really care about seeing a show, Mandala’s cover is lower, and the drinks are just as good! While at Coco Bongo you’ll hear popular dance music, at Mandala, DJs focus on Latin tunes, so you can really get your groove on.

WHERE THE LOCALS LIKE TO GO

Other options for enjoying a night on the town are more centrally located in downtown Cancún, rather than out on the strip along the hotel zone. Check out these places for different party vibes.

Congo Bar

Congo Bar is like a baby Coco Bongo. The cover charge is lower, and the bar is smaller, but you’ll find the same hot party vibe and plenty of scantily clad dancers, along with live Latin music.

Señor Frog’s

This place seems pretty family friendly during the day, when it’s mostly a restaurant, but after 9, the crowd definitely shifts and after 11, don’t be surprised to find people dancing on tabletops, wearing glow sticks, or covered in party foam. Plus, you won’t have to go far for some decent food! Like many of the bars, Señor Frog’s offers a single-price open bar, but this one includes dinner too.

The Black Pub

If what you want is a cold beer and a rock and roll vibe, head out of the Hotel Zone to The Black Pub. Alongside the musical stylings of the Whooliganz playing all the classic 90s rock songs you can handle, you can enjoy the best of the classic greasy pub menu, including nachos, pizza, and all the deep fried finger foods you can imagine.

Mambo Café

This popular spot is open Wednesday through Saturday after 10:30 pm and is usually packed with a crowd of tourists and locals. On Avenida Xcaret, in downtown Cancún, this is the spot that locals love for a night of cocktails and sweating on the dance floor to live Latin music.

Afterparty Street Food

If you decide to party downtown at Mambo Café, you’re luckily not far at all from Avenida Yaxchilán, a mile-long road that stretches between the Parque Urbano Kabah and Avenida Xcaret. Here, you’ll find plenty of restaurants that are open late, and street taco vendors open even later, to satisfy all your after-bar cravings.