Puerto Vallarta is Mexico’s biggest LGBT tourism hotspot for international travelers, and with good reason. Its welcoming environment and diverse array of gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses — including hotels, bars, restaurants and stores — make it the kind of place that lures LGBT travelers from around North America and beyond. But what’s the gay nightlife really like in Puerto Vallarta?
During my most recent visit, my husband Angel and I checked out a bunch of the gay bars in the Zona Romántica, the so-called Romantic Zone, a supremely walkable neighborhood where nothing is more than a few minutes by foot. Since Puerto Vallarta is the kind of gay travel destination that you could easily go out every single night of the week, it’s important to figure out which nightspots offer the ambiance you like the best. These are some of our favorites for a perfect gay vacation in Puerto Vallarta.
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Blondies Loft & Slush Bar: You know those big slush machines that usually produce disgusting frozen drinks? Well, at Blondies they’re actually good. This two-level bar is located away from most of the Puerto Vallarta gay nightlife; it’s better for stopping after a day at the beach. You can take a table on the sidewalk or head upstairs to the surprisingly stylish lounge bar.
KINKY Karaoke Bar: If you’re lucky, the waiter will give you a strange plastic clapping device to help you make some noise to show love for the karaoke singers here. It’s a big, clean bar with a nice stage and sound system. Perfect for anyone looking to serenade their friends (I tested my skills by singing something romantic by Mexican balladeer Alejandro Fernandez).
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La Noche: Puerto Vallarta’s best gay bar with a rooftop deck, La Noche offers multiple levels for imbibing and socializing. Gyrating go-go boys usually inhabit the ground floor, while the rooftop is a laidback place to enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s warm weather.
Mr. Flamingo: This strategically placed bar is open to the street on a corner, blasting mostly English-language pop music so enthusiastically that even people on the street are likely to start dancing. Lively, loud and friendly, it’s a fun place for a drink with friends and people watching. Puerto Vallarta is such a popular gay vacation destination that it’s not unlikely that you’ll run into people you know here (I certainly did on more than one occasion).
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Paco’s Ranch: This roomy dance club is a comfortable favorite for locals and visitors alike. The DJs usually spin a mix of highly danceable English- and Spanish-language music. You may pay a cover here, but it’s usually worth it.
Reinas: Possibly the only Queen-Elizabeth-themed bar in all of Mexico, this decidedly unique gay bar is lined with posters of the royal family and is even furnished with a make-up stand where you can turn yourself into a queen on your own.
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Wet Dreams: This is a male stripper bar. That’s the main thing. It’s small but clean, with good music and a cast of very friendly go-go boys who will chat you up but expect a tip. If you’re not into go-go bars, don’t stop here. But if you are, hey, you’ll love it here.
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