Puerto Vallarta Nightlife—Where to Have the Best Time in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a huge ex-pat and tourist destination in Jalisco, Mexico. While there are a number of great things to do in the city by day, Puerto Vallarta nightlife is often on travelers’ bucket lists.
Thanks to a large number of tourists and the younger local crowd, Puerto Vallarta has tons of bars and nightlife choices to choose from. Whether you just want a cocktail or you’re looking to party all night, this guide will help you find the top bars in Puerto Vallarta.
Some bars are fancier than others, with lounge areas and live music, while others are more local spots with just a few tables and chairs. I recommend going to a mix of both for the best experience in PV!
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Best Nightlife in Puerta Vallarta—the Quick List
Looking for the best Puerto Vallarta nightlife and don’t want to wait for the details? Here’s a list of the top spots in the city by the type of place it is to help you pick.
- Top bars: Bar Frida, Monzon
- Top clubs: El Solar, Mr Flamingo , Strana
- Top beach bars: Bar Playa, Swell Beach Bar, Cuates y Cuetes
- Top gay bars: The Top Sky Bar, Bar Frida, Mr Flamingo
- Top spots for cocktails: Bar Playa, Twisted Palms
- Top spots for craft beer: Bar Morelos, Monzon, Los Muertos Brewing
Cuates y Cuetes
For a simple beer or cocktail on the beach, head to Cuates y Cuetes. The bar is just a few tables in the sand with a nice view of the pier. The sunsets in the evening are also really beautiful so consider coming here before sundown if possible.
If you want to come at dinnertime though for the sunset, you either need to get there or call ahead for a reservation. It’s a popular place for expats and tourists so you might get there and not find a table otherwise.
Cuates y Cuetes is located at Francisca Rodríguez 101, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Strana
This club is in the Hotel Zone and is one of the most popular clubs for both residents and expats. They are open until the early morning hours and they stay busy right up until closing time.
It’s one of the only true clubs in the area meaning that it functions as a club all the time. Some of the other clubs in the area operate as bars and then at a certain time of the night they start playing louder music and turn on strobe lights.
At Strana though, they’re only open during the night and early morning hours with pumping music all the time.
Strana is located at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2125, Zona Hotelera, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open on Thursday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Twisted Palms Rooftop Lounge
Twisted Palms is known for being the best cocktail bar in town largely because of their famous martinis. If you’re not a fan of martinis though (I’m not either), they have an extensive list of cocktails to choose from.
The bar is also on the rooftop so you get great views of the city whether you come during the evening or late at night.
The only thing to complain about is that they’re only open from October to July, so if you’re visiting during the other months of the year, you’ll have to find another spot for cocktails.
Twisted Palms is located at Ignacio L. Vallarta 228, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re closed on Sundays but open every other day from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
The Top Sky Bar
Puerto Vallarta is well-known for being LGBTQ+ friendly. Many people visit PV every year simply because it has some of the best destinations for the LGBTQ+ community, and that includes The Top Sky Bar.
This bar has amazing views of the city and the ocean. Going at sunset gives you the best scenery, including the orange and pink colors streaking across the sky. It gets pretty crowded, so you might want to get there a few hours before sunset to make sure you get a table.
They also have jacuzzis, so bring your swimsuit!
The Top Sky Bar is located at Amapas 380, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Los Muertos Brewing
This place is mainly for expats as it’s one of the only places in town that sells good pizza. However, many tourists come here as well if they happen to be craving a slice while on vacation.
It’s one of the best bars in PV for craft beer and they often have happy hour deals where you can get a pint of beer for less than $2.
Los Muertos Brewing is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 302, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Bar Morelos
Head to Bar Morelos for the best Puerto Vallarta nightlife. Locals and ex-pats come here for dancing, cocktails, and craft beer. While you’ll find people of all ages here, most of the crowd is in their late twenties and early thirties.
The dance floor is open every night with a DJ playing all different kinds of music. The most popular drink is the huge mezcal cocktail. They also have many different kinds of tequila to choose from for shots.
In the evenings, they have a full food menu with a huge variety of tacos made fresh to order! Grab a taco (or two!) and your drink of choice for a fun time!
Bar Morelos is located at Morelos 589, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Bar Playa
If you’ve had a full day in the sand and water and want a simple drink, Bar Playa is an excellent choice. It’s a small sidewalk bar near Los Muertos Beach. The drinks are cheap, and some even say they taste better than the ones you’ll find in other bars around the city.
All cocktails are made with fresh juice. Depending on what you order, you’ll also get a taste of local spices and herbs. The most popular drinks are margaritas and mojitos.
Bar Playa is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 179, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Bar Frida
If you’re a Frida Kahlo fan, definitely check out Bar Frida. This bar/restaurant is filled with paintings, murals, and photographs of the artist.
None of the art was actually done by her, but all the pieces are tributes to her life as an artist.
Bar Frida is known as one of the best gay bars in PV among locals and ex-pats. The downstairs is a small bar, while the upstairs is a restaurant with all the best traditional Mexican dishes.
Bar Frida is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 481, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Swell Beach Bar
Head to Swell Beach Bar if you want good drinks and food during the afternoon or evening. It’s near the pier on Los Muertos Beach, so it’s easy to find. Grab a spot under one of the umbrellas or sit on a lounge chair right in the sand.
Not only is it a beach bar, but you can rent paddleboards here or go parasailing. They have some of the best cocktails and tequila on the beach, and their meals have huge (and tasty!) portions of food.
Swell Beach Bar is located at Amapas 182, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
El Solar
El Solar easily has some of the best nightlife in Puerto Vallarta. While they open in the afternoon, they get busier in the evenings and are open until the early morning hours. As the night progresses, they change from live music to a DJ, making it more of a club scene than a bar.
During peak season (December through March), you’ll find tons of tourists here. The bar is also filled with plenty of locals and ex-pats, making it easy to make friends if you’re traveling solo.
El Solar is located at Paraguay 1294, 5 de Diciembre, 48350 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open Mondays and Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Mr. Flamingo
Mr. Flamingo is a popular club in Puerto Vallarta. It’s packed almost every night, especially on the weekends.
The drinks are huge and made with a generous amount of liquor. They play a good mix of party music, and the DJs take requests.
Don’t plan to go here unless you want to dance, as someone is sure to pull you onto the dance floor! The crowd is a good mix of people from younger to older, including both tourists and locals.
Mr. Flamingo is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 247, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Monzon
There are not many bars in Puerto Vallarta that serve amazing craft beer, but Monzon is one of them. They have some interesting options, including a jalapeno-flavored beer.
The menu often changes with new brews. You can check the website beforehand to see if there is something on tap you might want to try.
The upstairs room has several TVs, making it a popular spot for people to go and watch sports games. They also host trivia nights a few times each month. You get free drinks if you win!
Monzon is located at Venustiano Carranza 239, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. They’re open every day from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Top Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
While visiting bars is one of the best things to do in PV, here are some other great things to do in Puerto Vallarta!
- Suntan at Los Muertos beach. This beach is one of the best in Old Town (Zona Romantica). You can rent chairs from one of the many shops lining the beachfront. There are also places with instructors that can take you jet skiing or parasailing.
- Explore downtown. There are many iconic places you should visit downtown, including the Church of our Lady of Guadalupe. There are also plenty of cafes where you can sit down and take a break from walking. If you aren’t sure which places to visit downtown, you can always take a guided walking tour.
- Visit Isla Cuale. This small island has small shops where you can get gifts to bring home. They are all made and sold by local merchants. It’s a great way to support the local economy. There are also a few restaurants and bars if you want a change of scenery.
- See the Rhythms of the Night Show. It starts with a one-hour cruise where you can enjoy the sunset and the open bar. The boat takes you to Las Caletas. The show is mostly dancing, acrobatics, and music. After the show, you can check out one of the restaurants along the beach.
- Visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. While you can visit any time of the day, the gardens are the best in the morning. You can hear the hummingbirds and other wildlife clearly. They also serve breakfast and coffee in the morning. You can eat right in the middle of the gardens while enjoying the flora and fauna.
- Take a hike to Mirador de la Cruz. This hike only takes 15 minutes, but it offers some of the best scenic views of PV. You can see the town and the ocean from the top. Even though the hike is short, it’s about 200 stairs. Make sure to bring water!
If you have time for a fun day trip from PV, check out this post on the top Puerto Vallarta day trips!
How to Get to Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has an international airport (PVR) with direct flights from most larger US cities. During the peak travel season of November through March, there are also some direct flights from European and Canadian cities.
The best way to get to downtown Puerto Vallarta from the airport is to take a taxi. You will see tons of drivers offering taxis when you exit the terminal.
You can also go to the taxi counter outside to find a driver. The rates are listed at the counter, which is better for people who don’t want to try and haggle with the drivers.
If you want to take the bus, you will need to exit the terminal and walk across the street to the bus station. The bus goes straight from the airport to downtown with a few stops in between.
How to Get Around Puerto Vallarta
One of the best things about Puerto Vallarta is that it’s extremely easy to walk everywhere you want to go. Zona Romantica is the main tourist zone with plenty of hotels, bars, and clubs to walk to.
If you don’t feel like walking, you can always take one of the local buses. The fare is cheap, and the destinations are listed on the bus windshield. You can check the fares and routes here.
Taxis are another option for getting around, but they aren’t as budget-friendly. Make sure to ask for the rate before the driver leaves as most taxis don’t have meters.
When to Visit Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s best times for visiting are in early November or late April. The weather is mild, and there aren’t many events happening that draw a crowd, so you should be able to enjoy the beach without fighting for a spot to lounge.
July through October sees many days with constant rain, which can ruin your vacation. Christmas and New Year also get very crowded, making hotel prices run extremely high during December and January.
window.fd(‘form’, { formId: ‘5f654c78bf43d8ae8bbfa457’, containerEl: ‘#fd-form-5f654c78bf43d8ae8bbfa457’ });Best Places to Stay in Puerto Vallarta
Budget—Hotel Tropicana: The rooms here have all the basics you need, including TVs, air conditioning, and balconies with views of the ocean. The hotel also has its own private beach with a bar and restaurant. You can also take a swim in the outdoor pool when you don’t want to be in the ocean.
Mid-range—Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa: Just a 3-minute walk to Marina Vallarta, this hotel has basic rooms and suite options. They have a full breakfast buffet and an outdoor restaurant that serves lunch and dinner.
Luxury—Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway: This is a great spot to stay if you’re in PV on your honeymoon. It’s an adults-only hotel. They have several room options to choose from, including suites with rooftop terraces and hot tubs. The hotel has three restaurants and an outdoor pool with a bar.
Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta
The Blue Shrimp Puerto Vallarta is right on the beach and serves fresh seafood all day long. The crab tacos and calamari are the most popular dishes. They have a huge selection of both domestic and international liquor with an extensive cocktail menu.
La Palapa Restaurant is in Los Muertos Beach and is one of the most popular spots for traditional Mexican food. You can sit at a table right in the sand underneath a cabana. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a menu of seasonal desserts.
Restaurante Barcelona Tapas Puerto Vallarta is an elegant and romantic restaurant right on the beach, perfect for those visiting PV with their significant other. They’re best known for their fresh lobster tacos and ceviche. They have live music every night.
Where to Find the Best Puerto Vallarta Nightlife
The best bars in Puerto Vallarta are mostly found in Zona Romantica and along the shores of the beach. As a popular party town, the city is filled with bars and nightlife. Most are LGBTQ+ friendly as well.
Whether you’ve moved to PV as an ex-pat or you’re just there to enjoy the beach for a few days, visiting some of the bars is a must. You can either enjoy a few drinks and go home or stay out all night partying.
Traveling to Puerto Vallarta? Which bars do you plan to visit?
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