San Miguel After Dark
San Miguel undoubtedly offers the most varied nightlife in the heartland of Mexico.
There are concerts, cabaret, literary readings, theater, art exhibits and free dance lessons. Bellas Artes and Angela Peralta both post anouncements of their theater performances around town. There are also salsa, flamenco and other varied dance performances in the restaurants and clubs either on weekends or on scheduled dates. The movie houses are fun. One even offers dinner and drinks while watching the film! The Biblioteca Pública and the Villa Jacaranda both offer daily screening of foreign and U.S. films.
There is a great source for a calendar of events. The local English speaking newspaper, “Atencíon” is distributed every week and is sold off the corner wall of the Jardin. It often includes an explanation or editorial on the various performances and events that are taking place during the week. Look for the “Que Pasa” supplement. There are also other free monthly periodicals that list events. You can pick these up around town.
Nightclubs
You can always grab a quiet after dinner drink any night of the week, but things really get going Thursday night!
El Grito
Umarán 15 415-152-0048
El Grito is the most popular dance club for the town’s young and trendy.
Pancho & Lefty’s
Mesones 99 415-152-1958
Pancho & Lefty’s has a variety of live music, everything from rock to reggae. The Wednesday happy hour lasts all night. There are three bars in one:
Main bar-rock and roll music.
Ivy bar-upstairs DJ music
Patio bar-country music
Mama Mia
Umáran 8 415-152-2063
Mama Mia has live music nightly – everything from Peruvian folk music to classical guitar – flamenco, rock or salsa.They provide some balcony seating.
Cava de la Princesa
Recreo 3 415-152-1403
Cava de la Princesa is one of the oldest bars in town. This is a popular night spot with the over 40 crowd. It books a variety of live music styles as well as impersonations of Mexican pop stars. It has a small intimate dance floor and starts late – plan to go home late! There is a limited food service with reasonable prices. Karaoke daily from 6 to 10 PM.
El Ring Disco/Bar
Hidalgo 27 415-152-1998
El Ring was formerly a cock fighting hall, and it’s fun to see! It has a ground floor plus two tiers above with flashing lights and video posters of Marilyn Monroe, Travolta and Madonna.
Thursday – a mixture of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s hits and free Salsa classes.
Friday and Saturday – contemporary club hits.
Sunday – Mexican ranchero music.
Club 27
Hidalgo 27
Thursday 8:00 PM – 12:00 PM
Club 27 has all kinds of music and draws an older crowd. They also have free Salsa lessons.
Theater
Teatro Angela Peralta
Mesones at Hernandez Macias
Teatro Angela Peralta was built in 1873, at the time soprano Angela Peralta was a very popular opera singer. She inaugurated the new theater and it was later named after her. Today, it is run by the Federal Government. The “Homage to the Arts” mural in the main lobby is very interesting. It was painted by professor Carmen Cereceda.
There are three seating areas:
Orchestra (luneta)
1st Balcony (palcos)
2nd Balcony (galeria)
The best chance to see theater troupes from around the world is in October when the stage hosts repeat performances from the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato.
El Sindicato
Recreo 4
Teatro del Pueblo – Often student performances in Spanish
Calle Stirling Dickinson 28
Both theaters hold presentations throughout the year.
There are also lectures, plays and playreadings held at smaller theaters.
-In the Bellas Artes auditorium
-Teatro Santa Anna at the Biblioteca – Plays are presented in English 4 times anually
-Instituto Allende
-Villa Jacaranda
-Parish Hall at St. Paul’s Church: Performances are biweekly and are one of the best entertainment bargains in town.
Cinemas
Cine/Bar
Hotel Jacaranda
415-152-1015
415-152-0811
Calla Aldama 53
Starts at 7:30 PM
It’s shows recently released American movies on a large screen and it includes popcorn and a drink in the $6.00 admission price. Waiters come to the table and will bring dinner menus as well. The movie schedule is published in “Atencíon” and it changes on Tuesday.
Cinemas Gemelos de San Miguel
Plaza Real del Conde
Tel. 415-152-6408
Starts 3:30 PM / 6:00 PM / 8:00 PM (call for exact starting times)
Cinemas Gemelos has twin theaters each seating 250 people. It has a floating screen with a decent sound system. The movies change on Friday. The films are usually in English with Spanish subtitles. Snacks are available.
Cinemateca Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Reloj 50 (during non library hours)
Tel. 415-152-0293
Starts at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM depending on the day.
Cinemateca Santa Ana often runs foreign films, documentaries, films relating to American music and dance. Shows are in the original language with English subtitles. There is hi tech projection and sound equipment.
Cineclub Bellas Artes
Bellas Artes Auditorium–2nd Floor
Hernandez Macias 75
Tel. 415-152-0289
Cineclub Bellas Artes shows films on Monday and Thursday 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Sundays at 6:00 PM. It has mostly foreign films: English, Spanish, and French.
Bars – Fun for a drink with friends!
While in Mexico try a Tequila con Sangrita! Watch for “Hora Feliz” (happy hour) signs around town.
La Fraqua
Cuna de Allende 3 (Near the Jardin)
Tel. 415-152-1144
1:30 PM to 2:00 AM
La Fraqua is an old Colonial building with a retractable roof over the courtyard. It is one of the oldest bars in town. There is live music 8-10 PM Sunday and Thursday.
El Campanario
Canal 34
Tel. 415-152-0775
1:00 to 11:00 PM
Closed Thursday
El Campanario has a dramatic, vaulted lounge bar area to the left of the entrance and a second rooftop bar where you can watch spectacular San Miguel sunsets. It also has a delightful home made cookie and chocolate counter to the right of the entrance. – Great for a take home treat!
Harry’s New Orleans Cafe
Hidalgo 12
Tel. 415-152-2645
Harry’s has a large “New York” style bar in the entrance patio. It is a “happening place” with the locals if you wish to see and be seen. – Don’t miss it!
Tapas y Tinis
Umáran 36
Tel. 415-154-6276
Taps y Tinis has a small intimate lounge with a black and white decor. It specializes in Spanish tapas and has a full bar with an expensive maritini menu.
Casa de Sierra Nevada en el Parque
El Chorro near Juárez Park
Santa Elena 2
Tel. 415-152-7155
415-152-7145
415-152-7153
The Sierra Nevada has a lovely setting for a relaxing margarita! Thursday’s Happy Hours 2 x 1 drinks. Free botanas and music. Thursday & Sunday 2 to 4PM And 8 to 10 PM.
Berlin
Umarán 19
415-154-9432
Berlin is a cozy, friendly, casual bar. It’s great for Mexican and German food which is popular to eat at the bar. It always has a good selection of background music. Daily happy hour from 5 to 7 PM.
El Market Bistro
Hernández Macias 95
415-152-3229
The Market Bistro is a cozy, intimate, almost English library atmosphere! It’s a great spot for a glass of wine–there are almost three dozen selections from France, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Argentina & Portugal.
La Cucaracha
Zacateros 22
415-152-0196
La Cucaracha is a funky local institution which has hosted some famious people. “Esquire” magazine called it one of the best ex-pat bars in the world due, in part, to patrons like Robert Mitchum (who allegedly shot a hole in the ceiling of the original location). It boasts a troupe of other celebrities: Anthony Quinn, Charles Laughton, and Kim Novak.
Manolo’s Sport Bar
Zacateros 26
415-152-7277
Manolo’s has five TVs, a fireplace, dart boards and card games. It serves beer, wine and mixed drinks.
Limerick Pub
Umarán 24
415-154-8642
It has a large open area with a bar and a fireplace. The owners are both from Argentina, even though the music is Irish with Irish coffee! There is a pool table, dart board and two TVs. It attracts a lively young crowd.