Nightlife
Acapulco is home to one of Mexico's hottest nightlife scenes. Discos and beach bars pulsate with music and brim with tanned revelers who dance and romance till dawn; luckily, you can recover from a loco night while you lounge beachside the next day. Keep in mind that covers and opening hours can vary by season and according to special events, so phone ahead before heading out for the night.
To ease into the scene, take in one of Acapulco's breathtaking sunsets with a coco loco – a rum-laced cocktail served from a coconut – in hand. Enjoy both at the self-proclaimed birthplace of the drink, the once-glamorous (but now a little worn around the edges) Hotel Los Flamingos (Av. López Mateos No. Fracc, Peninsula de las Playas; 744/482 0690; www.hotellosflamingos.com) – the heyday nostalgia (don't miss its photo gallery of '40s and '50s Hollywood stars) and panoramic views are a terrific mix. For a more organic sunset/coco loco combo, head out to one of the tranquil oceanfront beach huts along Pie de la Cuesta near Coyuca Lagoon (six miles west of the Golden Zone), where you can slurp down a tropical drink amidst the sublime natural scenery. Another excellent way to kick off an evening is by catching one of the nighttime La Quebrada cliff diver performances from the patio of La Perla Restaurant (Plazoleta la Quebrada 74, Peninsula de las Playas; 744/483-1155 or 744/483-1221; www.hotelelmiradoracapulco.com.mx) at the Hotel El Mirador. The 10.30pm show is most memorable when the cliff divers make their plunge with flaming torches in hand.
Acapulco's muy caliente nightclubs don't even open their doors until 10 or 11pm and the party rarely gets started before midnight. The more exclusive clubs have cover charges of $20 to $50 (women usually pay less or even get in free), but many also include open bar. Men should wear pants and a nice shirt when hitting the town, as several clubs keep dress codes. Some of the swankiest nightspots are located high in the hills of the Las Brisas quarter, with dazzling views of the lights surrounding the bay. Of these, the cliff-side Palladium (Carreta Escénica, Las Brisas; 744/446-5490; cover includes open bar; www.palladium.com.mx) reigns supreme, with 160 feet of wraparound glass windows that hug a dance floor that cantilevers out over the cliffs. The club's younger crowd dances the night away to electronic and house music, often spun live by top international DJs.
There's a good concentration of clubs along the Costera, east of the Diana traffic circle. Baby-O (Costera M. Alemán 22, Golden Zone; 744/484-7474; cover and pay per drink; www.babyo.com.mx) has been an Acapulco favorite for three decades, attracting a well-dressed clientele of 20- and 30-somethings who come to bump and grind to the hottest contemporary hip-hop, techno, and dance hits. Less formal, but no less fun, is the oceanfront Disco Beach (Costera M. Alemán 111 at Playa Condesa, Golden Zone; 744/484-8230; cover includes open bar), famous for its wild Friday night foam parties. The club permits casual attire and pumps out dance music beachside. Next door, Ibiza Lounge (Costera M. Alemán at Playa Condesa, Golden Zone; 744/484-8230) is operated by the same owners but touts a slightly more upscale beach vibe – the big difference is that, while there's no cover, you'll have to pay per drink.
There are several good beach bars (usually with low or no covers) along Playa Condesa. Enjoy your tequila – order Don Julio or Herradura to fit in – with an ocean breeze and in the company of sometimes raucous crowds at the sports bar Mangos (Costera M. Alemán at Playa Condesa; 744/484-4762; no cover) or at the pirate-themed Barba Roja (Costera M. Alemán at Playa Condesa; 744/84-5932; no cover). Several bayside restaurants and bars set off fireworks throughout the night, so grab a waterfront seat to see the show.
For a taste of spring break action, cross the Costera to the near-always packed Carlos 'n Charlies (Costera M. Alemán 112; 744/484-0039; no cover; www.carlosandcharlies.com), an Acapulco institution known for lighthearted fun and young crowds. Popular dance hits promise a packed dance floor, and when you need a break, grab a table overlooking the Costera to spy on the bustling scene. If a swanky lounge is more your beat, head over to the Las Brisas hillsides, where Sky Garden (Carreta Escénica 28, in La Vista shopping complex; 744/446-5771; cover and pay per drink; www.skygarden.com.mx) blends beautiful people and stunning views of the bay. The smart décor features bed lounges, fountains, and candles, and is accompanied by chill lounge and house music.
If it's salsa and tropical music that you're after, Salón Q (Costera M. Alemán 3117; 744/481-0114; cover includes open bar) is the so-called "Cathedral of Salsa." The club features live bands and entertainers who fill the dance hall with merengue, salsa, and Latin rhythms – the weekends often bring impersonators of popular Mexican entertainers.
