Mexico City
Entertainment
Cinema, Nightclubs
Mexican films from the Golden Era in the 1940s and 1950s are the greatest examples of Latin American cinema, with a huge industry comparable to the Hollywood of those years. Mexican films were exported and exhibited in all of Latin America and Europe. Maria Candelaria (1944) by Emilio Fernández, was one of the first films awarded a Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Famous actors and actresses from this period include María Félix, Pedro Infante, Dolores del Río, Jorge Negrete and the comedian Cantinflas.
More recently, films such as Como agua para chocolate (1992), Cronos (1993), Amores Perros (2000), Y tu mamá también (2001), El Crimen del Padre Amaro (2002), Pan's Labyrinth (2006) and Babel (2006) have been successful.
Some theaters in which to catch these films are Cineteca Nacional, Coyoacán, and Avenida Insurgentes (tel: (55) 5665 0709).
Nightclubs
Many nightclubs open starting on Wednesday, but Friday and Saturday are the biggest nights. Many of the larger hotels have adjoining discos or lobby bars with some surprisingly high quality live entertainment. From small salsa clubs and crowded discos to live concerts featuring the world's most popular stars. At Garibaldi Plaza the numerous Mariachi bands often play into the wee hours of the morning. The city offers the traditional in terms of cantinas and tequila, largely found in México City's Historic Center, while at the same time uber-chic places are a plenty in the popular neighborhoods of Polanco and Condesa. The nightlife scene starts late, many clubs and discos don't open until after 10 PM and they go till the wee hours of the morning.
Here are a few recommendations:
The Black Horse is
an English pub with a twist. This bar is funky and offers some of the best jazz,
rare-groove and hip-hop bands in México City. Occasionally, it throws in some
cutting edge salsa and alternative groups for good measure.
A chic bar is the PM (5553-0438) which offers a cool, Manhattan-ish atmosphere,
with music played at a very manageable pitch while offering great food. It is
the perfect spot for pre-drinks before heading to the adjacent AM nightclub
(5286-8572) that currently is México City's hottest venue to hear the latest
in electronic music. The club can be difficult to get into so try not to arrive
in groups, bring females, and be patient.
La Pata Negra is one of the most recognized and popular bars in the neighborhood.
Even on Sunday nights the place is packed. It now has a second floor which puts
on live music. 5211-5563/4678.
For an intimate experience, Barneys (5212-0007) is great. Red velvets, leather-interior booths and colonial-style ceiling fans add to the atmosphere.
To find more nightclubs and reviews:
7/09/2008