A former church turned beloved indoor-outdoor venue, this Roma-Condesa staple has grown into a crucial nexus of international and local music. Keep a keen eye on the constantly varying calendar—on any given night you might step into a punk-fueled party with Amyl and the Sniffers, one of TR/ST’s hedonistic techno raves, or perreo throwdowns led by DJ Rosa Pistola. Their yellow neon entrance sign sums it up best: “Aquí no hay días de bajón,” or “There are no down days here.”

Tap into Mexico City’s boundary-pushing underground at this small but mighty venue near the historic center. The converted apartment space frequently hosts noise and punk showcases from local labels, as well as international experimental powerhouses like Mueran Humanos and Arcade Fire’s Sarah Neufeld and Jeremy Gara. Run by members of post-rock ensemble Vyctoria, the collective also distills their own mezcal and bakes pizzas on-site.

Located in La Merced, and steps from La Viga metro station, this Mexican metal sanctuary was started in an abandoned movie theater that has since become a community-run haven for goth, grindcore, and more. Metal legends Sepultura, Celtic Frost, and Kreator have all thrashed the stage here, and even Bono visited when the venue was recognized by the United Nations in 2004.

This gem in the neighborhood of Xoco is known for hosting jazz, bolero, big band, and classical music concerts, enhanced greatly by the space’s adjustable acoustics, comfortable seating that wraps around the stage, and architect Gerardo Broissin’s futuristic design. In 2022, when the Latin Grammys greenlit acoustic sessions with Mexican regional stars El Fantasma, Lupita Infante, and Los Dos Carnales, recording here was the clear choice.

Hidden up three flights of stairs in Colonia Roma’s Cafebrería El Péndulo, a popular bookstore chain with locations around the city, this intimate, cabaret-style venue has been showcasing alternative, folk, and jazz musicians for years. The space is wonderfully intimate, with room for just 114 guests who can pile into its wide red booths and be inches from folk icons like Fernando Delgadillo or pop-rock legend Julieta Venegas. Hang around after the show for beers on the rooftop terrace.

Housed in what was once a vault for the Bank of Mexico, this small, sensual speakeasy is a musical time capsule complete with red-velvet drapes, candlelight, and a long bar mixing old-school cocktails. Their broad programming features established jazz acts, swing and funk ensembles, and heart-pounding jam sessions. Call ahead to make a reservation and arrive early to avoid a queue.

The draw here is simple: high ceilings, smooth floors, meticulous lighting design, and expertly curated shows that’ll have you dancing all night. Located a few blocks from Mexico City’s emblematic Monumento a la Revolución, this colorful hall opened its doors in 2007, since becoming a top space to catch rising names in cumbia, reggae, hip-hop, and Afrobeat. With acts like Los Aguas Aguas, Chico Trujillo, and La Dame Blanche on the bill, the vibe is simply spellbinding.

International indie favorites like El Último Vecino, Diamante Eléctrico, and Marineros have all delivered star-making performances at this roughly 300-capacity club—ideal for enjoying a mezcal shot and letting your hair down. The venue’s brutalist concrete interior is a necessity, as it’s located directly under one of the city’s most heavily transited overpasses, standing at the border of neighborhoods Condesa and San Miguel Chapultepec.

Cofounded by members of Mexican ska band Panteón Rococó, this divey but stylish hall in Roma Norte offers laidback cantina food and a crucial space for emerging punk, rockabilly, and metal acts. Over the years, the venue has remained true to its mission of community support, hosting many charity events for disaster relief and even 4/20 bazaars.

This cozy jazz oasis came to Roma Norte in 2018, an extension of its revered mother venue, which opened over a decade prior in the city of Cholula. Adorned in heavy velvet curtains and flashy neon, the rustic two-floor space welcomes a plethora of jazz virtuosos, Afrobeat experimentalists, and even freewheeling improv jams. Don’t miss out on their stacked tap room, pouring some of the best craft beers the city has to offer.