“Three places in town offer the adventurous or the drunk enough the chance to jump up and relive those singing in the shower scenes in public.”
Most people who come to Z. come to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand. But I actually think most of the fun in town starts after the sun is setting. With a multitude of nightlife and such a variety there’s something to suit everyone’s taste and budget. Almost all the restaurants in town sell alcohol, so a cerveza or two at dinner is always possible. There are also a lot of restaurants that host happy hours.
All of the beachfront restaurants along Playa Municipal start happy hour at 5 and finish at 7. Drinks are 2×1. My favorite along the beach is Rana Rene. It has the most amazing piña coladas and strongest cubas in town. For a totally Mexican feel, get a few mariachis to play for you. Another fantastic place to enjoy the sunset and tasty margaritas is the Happy Hour at Hotel Catalina. A large hotel on the road to La Ropa Beach, it has two large patio bars and has long been a popular place to gather, relax, drink and watch another beautiful Mexican sunset. So after a few drinks under your belt, its time to party. Take your pick.
There’s J.J.’s Grill, a sports bar on Vicente Guerrero. A popular hangout reminiscent to Sam’s Bar in Cheers, its full of ex-pats and smiling faces. There’s great food, free pool table and big screen TV’s televising all the games. For those wanting something a little more refined, Bay Club, on the road to La Ropa has a live Jazz band almost every night of the week, starting at 9pm. And Paul’s restaurant on Benito Juarez, now has El Mascarero piano bar. (Editor’s Note: JJs Grill, Bay Club and Paul’s are no longer open)
Coconuts next to J.J.’s has the occasional live band. It is the oldest building in Zihua and has a beautiful outdoor patio. It is always a treat to sit, drink and listen at Coconuts.
Time to liven up a little, stretch those vocal chords. Karoake is your answer. Three places in town offer the adventurous of the drunk enough the chance to jump up and relive those singing in the shower scenes in public. Ventaneando Canta Bar, upstairs on the corner of Vicente Guererro and Nicolas Bravo starts singing at 10pm. Filled with a mixture of tourists and locals it is definitely worth a laugh. Tequila Town, down the pedestrian walk across from the Municipal Plaza, offers pretty much the same scene where as Splash on Vicente Guerreo has a much more Mexican feel to it. And for anyone wanting to shake their groove thing, Zihua’s only nightclub is D’Latino. On the corner of Vicente Guerrero and Nicolas Bravo, it is open 7 days a week starting at 10pm. Mon-Th, and Sun, for ladies, its free, Fri & Sat, a small cover charge. It’s a mostly younger Mexican crowd with loud music and strobe lights. (Editor’s note: D’Latino is now called Black Bull, there is also Rumba Caliente nightclub on Calle Ejido)
Ixtapa is where the nightclubs are, Señor Frogs on the main drag, Carlos and Charlie’s on the beach, Christine’s at the Hotel Krystal and Liquid Lounge hidden away on the pedestrian walk behind Señor Frogs, they don’t get going till late and are open all night long. (Editor’s Note: Carlos & Charlies, and Liquid Lounge are no longer open). And lastly, if you’re lucky enough to be here on a Sunday, go check out the fiestas held at the basketball courts. A Zihua tradition not to be missed. Enjoy and have a tequila for me.
-February 2000
