If you’re searching for the best LGBT-friendly bars and clubs in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll be pleased to know there’s an abundance of them in the town’s very own gayborhood. Named Zona Romántica, the streets are heaving with gay clubs and pubs, all close enough to each other to provide an eclectic bar crawl.

Dance into the early hours to the hottest beats at pulsing nightclubs like Paco’s Ranch. Be entertained by Puerto Vallarta’s finest drag queens at cosy, lively bars like CC Slaughter’s and the quirky queen themed Reinas Bar. You can even serenade your guests at Kooky Karaoke. Wherever you decide to spend your night, these venues are renowned for their inclusivity and friendliness to locals and tourists alike.

  • 1

    La Noche

    Pre-club party destination

    La Noche
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    With roots as a modest martini lounge, La Noche bar is now one of the hottest bars in Puerto Vallarta for a raging pre-club party. Run by friendly LGBTQ+ staff who make their guests their number 1 priority, you’re guaranteed to feel welcome as soon as you step through their doors and into the vibrant club.

    Watch Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated drag queens belting show tunes or boogie the night away with go-go dancers on the main floor. When things get a little too hot, you can head up to the lavish rooftop bar where you can enjoy tropical cocktails and a spectacular view of the electrifying city and surrounding mountains under a blanket of stars.

    Location: Lázaro Cárdenas 267D, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 8 pm to 2.30 am

    Map
  • 2

    Garbo’s Piano Bar

    For classy jazz tunes and delicious cocktails

    Garbo’s Piano Bar
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    To enjoy the best of classic and new-fangled martinis and upscale jazz music, take yourself to Piano Bar and Jazz Garbo. You won’t find pulsing beats and neon lights here, but you will find minimalist décor, a gorgeous piano, and romantic lighting, all wrapped up in a sophisticated ambiance.

    This elegant bar is particularly renowned for its cocktails – sample the coconutty Coco Chanel or the classic Cosmopolitan Martini. It’s quiet enough for you to converse with friends old and new or you can relax in a cosy corner and enjoy the gentle tinkling of the ivories by talented musicians. You might even be treated to the charming vocals of legendary Broadway Bob.

    Location: Púlpito 142, Zona Romántica, Amapas, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 6 pm to 12 am

    Phone: +52 322 223 5753

    Map
  • 3

    Code

    It’s show time

    Code
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    If you would like a bar with more than a little spectacle, then Code should be the first place on your itinerary. With the help of outstanding acrobats and other highly talented performers, you’ll witness innovative circus shows that will leave you spell-bound. An intimate and inclusive venue, you can even opt for extravagant VIP booth and table service.

    Code plays thumping pop and Latin beats from a state-of-the-art sound system that is sure to get you moving. Look up and marvel at silk aerialists and dazzling fire effects while attentive waiters tend to your every whim. You’ll leave feeling as if you’ve had a truly luxurious experience.

    Location: Ignacio L. Vallarta, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Friday–Sunday from 10 pm to 5 am (closed on Monday–Thursday)

    Phone: +52 322 108 4358

    Map
  • 4

    Cc Slaughters

    One of Puerto Vallarta’s premier gay clubs

    Cc Slaughters
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    When Puerto Vallarta’s summer temperatures have you desperate to cool off, CC Slaughter’s should be a top choice. Rest your feet under the shade of their open-air restaurant and enjoy a cool beer and a bite to eat. The chicken tacos are supposedly the spiciest around. Then when the sun sets, head inside to dance the night away in 2 gloriously air-conditioned rooms brimming with energy and fun.

    Talented DJs will spin the hottest remixes in the black-lit nightclub whilst the quieter martini lounge offers the perfect opportunity to mingle with locals and tourists alike. Certain nights of the week see drag artists and guest DJs entertaining the guests while the bar serves excellent drinks offers.

    Location: Lázaro Cárdenas 254, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 2 pm to 6 am

    Phone: +52 322 222 3412

    Map
  • 5

    Mr Flamingo

    Tiki tipples and cheesy pop anthems

    Mr Flamingo
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    Semi open-air LGBTQ+ bar Mr Flamingo is often touted as one of the best places to start and finish your night out in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. Decked out in bamboo, there’s a cool Tiki vibe complete with friendly bar staff, tropical cocktails, and charming beach décor.

    You can expect to hear cheesy classics from the likes of Shania Twain and Cher, which will have everyone singing their hearts out on the dance floor. Events at Mr Flamingo are always popular, and Pride in particular is a must if you want to celebrate until the early hours. Don’t worry, you’ll definitely spot a flamingo or 2 before the party spills out onto the streets.

    Location: Lázaro Cárdenas 247, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 2 pm to 3 am

    Phone: +52 322 223 4488

    Map
  • 6

    Apaches Martini Bar

    A friendly gay bar on the way to (and from) the beach

    Apaches Martini Bar
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    With colourful rainbow flags and vibrant plants hanging from every surface, you know that LGBTQ+ owned Apaches will give you a warm welcome. Just one block from the beach and selling zesty margaritas during the daily happy hour, this cute and compact martini bar is an ideal stopping off point on your way to the Mexican sand and sea.

    Grab a patio table to watch the world go by as you sip a Puerto Vallarta martini (flavoured with jalapeno peppers) or sit inside with a Latin Lover (tequila and amaretto) and chat about the local gayborhood with the pleasant staff. Apaches is a favourite within the community and regularly hosts mariachi bands to entertain their patrons.

    Location: Olas Altas 439, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 1 pm to 2 am

    Phone: +52 322 141 6752

    Map
  • 7

    Paco’s Ranch

    Discotheque drag

    Paco’s Ranch
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    Regularly topping lists for best gay clubs in Puerto Vallarta, Paco’s Ranch is a thriving LGBTQ+ hotspot where all are invited to dance and celebrate their uniqueness under the pulsing neon lights. One of the first gay clubs in the area, it now draws hundreds of locals and tourists alike looking for cheap drinks, dance music, and drag shows.

    Featuring at least 2 or 3 artists a night, these performances are clearly the pride of Paco’s. From lip-syncing divas and go-go dancers to tribute singers with powerhouse vocals, you’ll be astounded at the professionalism. As expected, crowds flock to the stage so we recommend grabbing a spot on the balcony to get the best view of the action.

    Location: Ignacio L. Vallarta 278, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 10 pm to 6 am

    Phone: +52 322 222 7667

    Map
  • 8

    Kooky Karaoke

    Karaoke that will leave you feeling kooky

    Kooky Karaoke
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    Whether you prefer to belt out Queen, Lizzo, or Selena, karaoke is a pastime enjoyed the world over and Puerto Vallarta is no exception. Kooky Karaoke is a trendy bar serving sing-a-longs into the early hours. Their catalogue should please the pickiest of performers, but if they don’t have your song, the devoted DJs will do their best to find it for you.

    Don a vivid wig, a funky hat, and an inflatable guitar before taking to the stage. If you need liquid courage before you step up to the mic, the bar is the well-stocked; try a Purple Rain or the Kooky Punch. And if singing isn’t for you, consider popping down for screenings of popular drag competitions instead.

    Location: Lázaro Cárdenas 315A, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 8 pm to 4 am

    Phone: +52 322 109 9703

    Map
  • 9

    Los Amigos

    Chill cowboy vibes at this cantina-styled bar

    Los Amigos
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    If dive bars are more your thing, drop by cantina-style Los Amigos for no-frills fun and authentic Mexican culture. There’s a cowboy vibe that’s as laidback as the cheerful staff, so expect atmospheric country music, cheap beer, and pleasant conversations with the local queer community.

    Ideally located around the hottest night clubs, Los Amigos is the perfect place to start a bar crawl in Zona Romántica. Take a cocktail out onto the rooftop patio where you can people watch and enjoy the cool breeze, all surrounded by stunning views. When you’re ready to come inside, there’s a dance floor and a pool table waiting for you.

    Location: Calle, Venustiano Carranza S/N-C, Alta Vista, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 6 pm to 4 am (closed on Monday–Tuesday)

    Phone: +52 322 222 7802

    Map
  • 10

    Reinas Bar

    A royally good time

    Reinas Bar
    • Couples
    • Nightlife

    Kitsch and cantina combine at Reinas Bar, a queen themed bar tucked amongst the traditional taco restaurants on Lázaro Cárdenas. It’s instantly recognisable thanks to their street sign of a smiling Queen Elizabeth II, and the regal décor continues inside with portraits of British royalty and busts of ancient rulers accompanied by sparkly tiaras and chandeliers.

    You can don your own crown, wig, and feather boa while striking your best dance moves with the glamorous drag queens that frequent the place. Drinks include affordable local favourites like mezcal and tequila, as well as a few camp cocktails that tie in with the theme. At Reinas (which means queen in Spanish), all queens are welcome.

    Location: Lázaro Cárdenas 361, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

    Open: Daily from 4 pm to 2 am

    Phone: +52 322 205 0433

    Map