Big city nightlife in a small town
Oaxaca is small compared to other Mexican cities like DF Guadalajara or Monterrey, but its rich culture is just as obvious at night as it during the day. Local and national live bands and DJs, karaoke, juke boxes and cantinas, Oaxaca has it all.
Today, I’m going to tell you all about my favourite bar – Txalaparta.
By day Txalaparta is a colorful bar with hookahs and a tasty set lunch for M$60; around midnight it becomes a place to dance to assorted rhythms from Latin to jazz, world music, trip hop, reggae and more (sometimes with live bands or guest DJs). It gets a good party atmosphere going at weekends, with a mixed local and international crowd. – Lonely Planet
In 2010 Roy Bernardino, one of my wife’s best friends, sold Elefante Bar on Calle 20 de noviembre (where my wife and I met in 2009) and renovated an old colonial building on Matamoros a few blocks from the Zocalo to open Txalaparta Bar.
Restaurant – Hookah bar – Night Club
The large interior covered patio has become the main seating and dancing area, with a long wooden bar with a gorgeous lit cabinet in the back (pictured above). The old colonial rooms have been painted deep shades of red with low tables and benches set up for hookahs, each room decorated distinctly. During the day Txalaparta becomes a restaurant, serving menu del dia set meal for less than $5 CAD.
On weekends Txalaparta hosts live bands and DJs using a raised stage over the dance floor. They also added a rooftop terrace that has been used for concerts and DJs as well. Check out these great photos from inside Txalaparta from the same photographer whose photos I shared in my post about the El Pochote market.
Cerveza and mezcal
One of my favourite things about Txalaparta, besides the good company and eclectic music is their selection of different beers and mezcal. Roy has made the effort to stock imported and craft beer, a difficult feat in a small city in Mexico where Sol and Corona battle it out like Pepsi and Coke. I don’t drink beer but I do appreciate the selection, and I can always find a good mezcal.
Planning your night out
Check out Txalaparta’s facebook and twitter pages for information about upcoming events, or just drop in and grab something to eat or drink, you will not be disappointed.
