Mexico

Mexico City 

Nightlife

Paurro

Born and raised in Mexico City, Paulina Rodriguez (aka Paurro) has built a name for herself with her style of Latinx club music, 90s house, breakbeat and UK garage.

Paurro's career spans over a decade. It's seen her work as the label manager for Berlin imprint Cómeme, and as a booker and programmer for Aire Libre radio station where she hosts her radio show. Her latest EP, 

was released under SOS Music and explores her chosen theme of female warriors and forgotten women. The producer also has two residency nights in CDMX called House of Paurro and Konichii where she hosts national and international talent.

As someone with an extensive knowledge of the underground music scene, it's only right her guide covers her top clubs in CDMX – from the best parties to local bars and clubs.

The No System House is a spot created by people that are deeply involved in the underground music scene in Mexico. It’s a great DIY space that hosts different events like album release parties, ambient happenings, art exhibitions, and parties with great local artists. It also has a space for rent to practice your DJ skills, record a set or a radio show and do live streaming. 

This club is a staple and an institution in CDMX’s nightlife. The night to go is on Fridays for its HI-NRG night and you should really get ready to do some serious dancing. There is a community going there for years to compete in the middle of the dance floor which makes the vibe of that place incomparable. There is nothing like that anywhere else in Mexico City  

This spot works as a rehearsal space and a music production studio during the week. However every Thursday they host events in the afternoon with DJ sets from local artists which are also streamed plus beers and mezcal for sale. It’s a great plan if you want a taste of the emerging electronic music scene. 
 

Club Colima is a small but very cute bar/club with great cocktails, great sound and a very diverse program of mostly local DJs every week. The spot is inside a delicious fried chicken sandwich spot called Frito y Cruel so you can get some food there if you get hungry. The vibe feels like the next-door bar where all your friends go and the music range goes from cumbia to afro beat to house and a little bit of techno too. 

Yu Yu has become a true classic to CDMX nightlife. With the recent opening of its own radio station called Drama plus the bar upstairs (with a delicious cocktail menu), the place has come full circle. This club is the one with the riskiest music programming and variety of genres but always with amazing taste. You can jump into a footwork, a techno, or a reggaeton night, there is something there for everyone. 

Salón San Luis is a time capsule to the romantic Fichera years of modern Mexico. This ballroom with 73 years of tradition is a complete experience with a live salsa and cumbia band, beautiful and skilled dancers, old-school bottle service, and red velvet with mirrors all over. I always feel nostalgic after leaving, it’s legendary. 

This is a spot with three floors with different atmosphere’s to hang out, eat and try different flavors of Pulque. The top terrace has commercial music, on the second floor they host different DJ’s every night and the first floor has cumbia, salsa, hip hop, and a more eclectic vibe. 

Funk is an electronic music club hidden in a basement located in Colonia Condesa. Its sound system and lighting are amazing which makes every night memorable. Its music programming is pretty diverse musically with a great combination of national and international talent every night. You definitely can’t miss this one. 

Faena is an extravagant cantina and a Taurine museum that has been open for more than 80 years. It is an ideal spot to pre-game before a night out. Its vibe is super old school and zero pretentious, just what a cantina should be. They serve some appetizers like caldo de Cameron and tostadas de pata but the main purpose of going there is to have a drink and a long chat with friends. 

Pulqueria los Insurgentes

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