If you are looking for a relaxed ambiance, typical Yucatecan food and snacks, and all kinds of drinks accompanied by live music, you will surely want to visit some of the restored cantinas in the Centro of Mérida, as well as those that have popped up in other parts of the city.
A perfect way to get to know how Yucatecans live is by checking out the lively cantina scene in Mérida, “hacer boca” (starting with) “botanas,” as the regulars say; or just enjoy the variety of typical food while you have a drink, talk, and dance to the live music.
In recent years, the cantinas in Mérida’s downtown, where almost all are located, have been renewed with new branding concepts, restoring the antique buildings where they are located with all kinds of decor, drinks, and menus, while still maintaining the homemade touch and friendly atmosphere that everybody loves.
El Dzalbay Cantina
One of the most traditional establishments, with more than 80 years of history, that has seen many generations of clients, is El Dzalbay. Traditional cantina that offers delicious Yucatecan botanas in a fresh environment with excellent service.
Tuesday to Saturday 1 pm – 10 pm / Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm. Calle 64 x 53, Centro
El Cardenal Cantina
Cantina and family restaurant with big outdoor spaces, ideal for any festivity. With live music, from salsa to rock, by local groups. Its star dish is the avocado pizza, and they have a variety of mojitos.
Daily 1 pm – 10 pm. Calle 63 x 70 y 72, Centro
El Gallito
Known for its wide bar where you can talk with “parroquianos” (frequent clients), they always have great specials and a botana service (you must try the mole and fish) that comes as fast as your first drink arrives.
Daily 12 pm – 10 pm. Calle 63 x 62 y 64, Centro
La Negrita Cantina
You can enjoy delicious tacos (the Cochinita Pibil tacos are the best), and botanas (cucumber, fried beans, Sikil Pak). There is a huge variety of beers (try the crafted beers from Yucatán), and all kinds of mezcal and cocktails. With daily live music to dance to.
Daily 12 pm – 10 pm. Calle 62 #415 x 49, Centro
La Perdida Cantina
A cantina-type bar in the north part of the city, with daily promotions and special menus with typical dishes (Lomitos de Valladolid, Poc Chuc, and Longaniza). Local rock, pop, and alternative groups will add to your visit.
Tuesday 1 pm – 6 pm / Wednesday to Saturday 1 pm – 3 am. City Center Mall
El Pipiripau, Salón de Fiesta & Cerveza
A relaxing option to end a busy day. The nachos with or without meat are excellent, as are their special drinks with mezcal, gin, and, of course, beer. With musical groups that get everyone dancing.
Daily 1 pm – 2:30 am. Calle 62 x 53 y 55, Centro
Create your own cantina tour, we are sure you will want to go to more than one!
Other cantinas in Mérida:
Bar Alonzo
Calle 10 x 13 y Circuito Colonias, Col. Itzimná
Tel. 999 127 1510
Mon. – Sat. 12 pm – 10 pm
Just men
Bar Berreteaga
Calle 65 x 54 y 56, Centro
Every day from 12 pm – 10 pm
Bar Guerrero Negro
Calle 46 x 71, Centro
Tel. 999 923 9312
Every day from 12 pm – 10 pm
Bar Latino
Calle 59 x 52 y 54, Centro
Tel. 999 923 1844
FB: Bar Latino Mérida
Bar La Gloria
Calle 66 x 73, Centro
Every day from 11 am – 10 pm
Bar La Ruina
Calle 69 x 70 y 72, Centro
Tel. 999 923 6732
Every day from 12 pm – 10 pm
FB: Bar La Ruina
El Grillón
Calle 56 x 63 y 65, Centro
Every day from 12 pm – 10 pm
Tel. 999 928 5243
El Pocito
Calle 23 x Av. Alemán, Col. Jesús Carranza
Every day from 12 pm – 10 pm
El Porvenir
Calle 52 x 53, Centro
Mon. – Sat. 12 pm – 9 pm
El Ratón
Calle 52 x 63 y 65, Centro
Every day from 10 am – 10 pm
Just men
Excelsior Bar
Calle 66 x 45, Centro
Tel. 999 900 7698
FB: Excelsior Bar
La Carmela Mezcalería y Galería
Calle 60 x 53 y 55, Centro
Tue. – Sun. 8 am – 4 pm
La Casita de Paja
Calle 55 x 44, Centro
Tel. 999 922 7945
FB: La Casita de Paja
La Flor del Bazar
Calle 58 x 65 y 67, Centro
Just men
La Gran Bombilla
Calle 52 x 67 y 69, Centro
Tel. 999 928 0041
La Pulquerida Cantina Latina
Calle 70 x 57 y 59, Centro
La Sabrosa
Calle 54 x 53 y 55, Centro
Tel 999 129 7538
Mon. – Sat. 10 am – 10 pm
La Sombra
Calle 52 x 45 y 47, Centro
Parroquianos Restaurant Bar
Calle 54 x 67 y 69, Centro
Restaurante Bar La Gran Toma
Calle 52 x 65 y 63, Centro
Every day from 10 am – 10 pm
Toma 2 Restaurante
Calle 67 x 62 y 64, Centro
Tel. 999 924 5556
Every day from 11 am – 11 pm
Toma Libre II
Calle 64 x 63 y 65, Centro
Every day from 12 pm – 9:30 pm
By Violeta H. Cantarell
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