Mexican authenticity, our roots, traditions and history are evident in every element of our culture. Our food is one of the most delicious and beloved in the world; our handicrafts are so colorful and varied that they impress all who visit; and our variety of music thrills everyone. Luckily, in the CDMX we can find incredible restaurants where you can eat enchiladas, tlayudas and cochinita pibil; tianguis and fairs to chacharear; and great places to enjoy live Mexican music concerts.
From mariachi to romantic trios, boleros or rancheras, in Mexico City there are many places where you can listen to all kinds of Mexican music in all its essence. There are all kinds of them: some with drinks and snacks and others, much more formal, in traditional concert format. There is a great variety to choose from!
Garibaldi Square
Of course we couldn’t skip this classic. We could affirm that this square located at the Lagunilla is the home of the mariachi. In fact, there are monuments to great figures of the Mexican song, statues dedicated to José Alfredo Jiménez, Lola Beltrán, Javier Solís and Pedro Infante.
These artists filmed many of their movies in this plaza, but Garibaldi is also known for the constant presence of mariachi groups, trios, norteño groups and Veracruz music groups that dress in their characteristic costumes and serenade passersby (and partygoers) with their serenades. In case you don’t know, you can ask them to sing your favorite songs for a party or celebration.
It is clear that Garibaldi square is, without a doubt, one of the most important places to listen to mariachi music most famous in all of CDMX.
📍 Plaza Garibaldi, colonia Centro
📅 Monday to Sunday
🕛 At any time
Tenampa Room
In the same square we find the Tenampa Salon with a great vibe and great tradition. This establishment opened in 1925 and has seen the tradition of mariachi and jarocho music evolve in the Zone.
Singer-songwriters of the stature of Chavela Vargas and José Alfredo Jiménez have passed through its tables, as well as actors such as Cantinflas, who even filmed his movie El portero here.
In addition to mariachis, at Tenampa you will also hear live rancheras and boleros rancheros. Let the tequila or mezcal take away your lovesickness. And don’t miss out on trying their menu, so don’t crack and make a reservation.
📍 Plaza Garibaldi 12, colonia Centro
📅 Monday to Sunday
🕛 Sunday to Wednesday from 14:00 to 02:00 and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 14:00 to 03:00
Candlelight
The series of candlelight concerts that has conquered the CDMX but also other corners of Mexico and the world, in addition to tributes to classical composers such as Tchaikovsky, Mozart or Beethoven or current artists like Taylor Swift or Bad Bunny; also wanted to surround a sea of candles to the best songs of Mexican music with their concerts of ranchera music and tributes to great artists of mariachi and bolero.
One of them is its tribute to José Alfredo Jiménez at the Hacienda de los Morales. A show where Violeta Ortega and Puerto Candela reinterpret the most famous songs of the Mexican actor and singer, many of them considered to be the best Mexican rancheras. Que Te Vaya Bonito, Cuando Sale La Luna, Si Nos Dejan… A review of the singer-songwriter’s entire discography in the best of atmospheres.
His other tribute to Mexican music is Candlelight: Unforgettable Boleros in El Cantoral. A journey through the most applauded songs of this genre. From Somos Novios by Armando Manzanero to Historia de un Amor by Carlos Eleta Almarán or Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez.
📍 Different locations throughout the CDMX
📅 Any day of the week
🕛 18:00, 19:00 or 21:00, depending on the Tribute
🎟️ You can buy your tickets here
Rodrigo de la Cadena’s Cave
If you’re looking for a good drink while watching boleros in concert, maybe La Cueva de Rodrigo de la Cadena is the place for you. They define themselves as “the cathedral of bohemia in Mexico”, and the truth is that they are right.
This cave was founded by Amparo Montes in 1970 and it was Rodrigo de la Cadena who followed in her tradition years later. It is one of the few places left in Mexico to enjoy the most authentic essence of bolero and its romanticism. And also one of the best weekend plans in the CDMX. We especially recommend it if you are a hopeless romantic or if you need to drown your sorrows.
📍 Avenida San Antonio 256, Nonoalco, Benito Juárez
📅 Saturdays and Sundays
🕛 21:00
Capital Bus
A curious way to enjoy Mexican music concerts is to get on this tourist bus. But not in just any truck, Capital Bus makes a tour of the most important most emblematic places of the CDMX while enjoying the most authentic mariachi music.
A plan for children and adults in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere to get to know the city in a different way and experience the traditional songs of our country to the rhythm of mariachi and rancheras, a perfect plan!
📍 C apital Bus Stop Zócalo – 5 de Mayo, avenida 5 de mayo 61, Centro Histórico de la CDMX
📅 Last Saturday of the month
🕛 20:00 a 21:15
🎟️ You can buy your tickets here