9 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Acapulco

Palladium is a cliffside club that is consistently ranked among the top clubs in town, with a younger crowd and fabulous views met with equally fabulous DJs. The club's floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that you'll have an amazing view of the bay stretching as far as the eyes can see as you groove to the beats of some of the most popular DJs from all over the world. If you're into hip hop, trance, house, or techno music, this is where you'll find it, and the sound system is second to none.

Be aware that you'll be expected to dress to the nines, and there's always a line to get in. It's 20 minutes west of city centre.

Believe Acapulco is a classic nightclub offering solid DJs playing well-cultivated sets against an epic backdrop of the Acapulco Bay and an open bar. This is a chill venue where you can dance with your friends and drink all night—the cost of the bar is included in your cover. That makes it a solid spot where you don't have to watch your spending or flash your wallet around after you get in. Of course, the bartenders do expect to be tipped handsomely, so keep that in mind.

This club has a bit of an upscale vibe to it, so it's important to dress smartly when you head out. It's about 20 minutes southwest of city centre.

Mezcalina offers a unique take on your typical mezcal bar with pounding reggae beats instead of the usual hip hop or R&B tunes, but it's got a fun, vibrant atmosphere. It's a bit out-of-the-way, making it something of a hidden gem that's popular with locals and not well known among visitors. You'll find it at the top of a spiral staircase in the back of a shopping centre, but you'll get a wide range of craft mezcal cocktails. The music is solid here, and the crowd always has a smile.

If you're looking to soak up some local culture in Mexico, Mezcalina lets you do it in style. It's about a half-hour from town to the west.

Barbarroja Acapulco offers an experience that's a bit different from other local bars: a pirate-themed club complete with costumed dancers and a ship-inspired décor. This one is among several local beachfront bars on the central strip of city centre Acapulco, and it offers an open-air, inclusive, and overall fun vibe to it. You'll raise your cocktails and groove to hot hits or, if you like, sing a sea shanty while corsair-garbed table dancers strut their stuff and you enjoy the outdoor vibe of the Acapulco nights.

This is the place to come if you want something a bit more quirky and, at times, a bit more adult-oriented. Bonus: after a few drinks, you can bar hop.

London English Pub offers up a full-page list of wine, beer, and spirits and a menu with burgers inspired by nations all over the world. You can go for a London, chicken, Mexican, or Italian burger, or just grab a basic bacon burger. They also offer baby back ribs and wings and local snacks like nachos. This one is as much a restaurant as a bar, but it's styled like a traditional British pub, so it's got a relaxed and casual vibe and showcases regular live bands.

The alcohol list includes all the staples and features a selection of non-alcoholic offerings. It's 25 minutes west of town.

Canta Piano Bar Amour is a classic piano bar where you'll enjoy traditional tunes which you can sing along to while enjoying a cocktail with gorgeous views of the bay. This is a popular spot with locals and visitors alike looking to enjoy a more laid-back and refined yet still vibrant nightlife experience. It's also known to showcase such popular musical artists as singer Luis Miguel so you might get a treat when a well-known crooner steps up to the mic. The sound system is top-notch, as is the piano player.

Reviews of this bar have called it magical and romantic, so it's a wonderful option for a couple's night out. It's 20 minutes west of city centre.

Hannah Sun Club is an outdoor, open-air bar with astounding views of Acapulco and hosting some of the biggest musical acts in just about every genre. Whether you're into classic salsa music, rock and roll, hard rock, hip hop, R&B, or any other style, you might find a concert here. It's not your typical music venue, however; the bar also hosts 2 swimming pools that you can lay beside on beds while the staff provides bottle and food service right to you.

While many Acapulco clubs only really come to life after sundown, Hannah Sun Club opens early. The party goes on all day and lasts till dawn. It's 20 minutes from central city centre.

Baby Lobster Bar is surrounded by thriving nightlife and offers an open-air, beach bar experience with tonnes of fun, a wild vibe, and great craft cocktails. The bartenders serve up sweet mixed drinks that are ice-cold while you relax by the surf on the sand, or you can hit the dance floor to move to the beats of a great local DJ. Don't be surprised if some of the more carefree patrons here jump right up on the tables to shake it to the beat.

This is another one that's a great option if you're looking for a bar hop experience; it's right among a stretch of solid beach bars and clubs. It's 25 minutes west of city centre.

Forum de Mundo Imperial is an indoor arena drawing some of the biggest names in music from all over the world for top-notch shows with outstanding production. The forum can seat up to 4,000 people and includes a state-of-the-art facility. The façade as you approach is lit by over 4 million LEDs that can create almost 17 million colour combinations, among the largest of its kind in Latin America. Acts that the Forum has hosted include everyone from Luis Miguel to the Cranberries. It's also an event space and hosts special events throughout the year.

From rock to traditional Latin music, acrobatics, and comedy shows, this one offers it all. It's about a half-hour south of city centre.