LGBT Mexico City
Mexico City, the country's capital and one of the world's largest megacities, is a socially progressive city with a long history of embracing diversity with anti-discrimination policies and a tolerance for those who choose lifestyles other than that dictated by conservative Catholic doctrine (historically very strong in Mexico). Homosexuality has been legal in Mexico since the 1860s, with same-sex marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples both legalized for Mexico City in 2010, setting a model for the rest of the country. As of 2020, more than half of Mexico's states allow same-sex marriages.
LGBT travelers find a warm welcome in Mexico City where the travel costs are generally far lower than other gay friendly international capitals. Mexico City offers a rich cultural experience with an enormous active arts community, world famous cuisine, and fun nightspots that cater to an openly gay clientele.
The city's annual Pride events have been held in June since 1979.
Understand
The Zona Rosa district is the historic center of the city's gay community and still attracts a lot of LGBT travelers to its variety of clubs, restaurants, and shops. Several other districts of the city are very LGBT friendly in the 21st century and may offer even better options though the Zona Rosa continues to be a major hub for the gay community.
- Centro Historico offers an unparalleled selection of cultural riches, from historic sites to some of the city's most famous arts venues. It's also home to two of the city's most popular gay bars plus several LGBT-friendly clubs with parties that rock seven nights a week.
- Condesa and Roma are popular neighborhoods full of small shops, sidewalk cafes, and small hotels or airbnbs in cool art deco buildings, several with LGBT owners who cater to the tastes of a gay clientele and who can provide current local insight and recommendations.
Visitor information
- Capital LGBTTTI - Mexico City's Tourism Office officially welcomes the LGBT community with a 27-page guide in both Spanish and English that explains the city's policies of tolerance and provides detailed official information tailored to the needs and interests of the LGBTTTI traveler
- Gay Mexico City - is the greater LGBT community's information hub for all local events and issues pertaining to alternative lifestyles in CDMX, including all of the events of Pride Week. They publish a travel guide that includes recommendations for gay bars, cruising spots, spas, a taco tour and gay friendly restaurants and hotels.
See
- 1 Museo de la Mujer (Women's Museum), Calle Republica de Bolivia 17, Centro, ☏ +52 555 795 9596. Chronicles the history and role of women in Mexico. Though not specifically an LGBT museum, they sometimes have programs and workshops for the LGBT community.
- 2 Frida Kahlo Museum, Londres 247, Coyoacán. Modern art fans flock to the Frida Kahlo museum, so do feminists and so do members of the LGBT community who admire her open bisexuality in an era when such lifestyles were not flaunted. Though married to muralist Diego Rivera, Kahlo had numerous high-profile affairs with both men (including Leon Trotsky) and women (including Georgia O'Keefe).
- 3 Museo Memoria y Tolerancia (Museum of Memory and Tolerance), Plaza Juárez, info@myt.org.mx. Originally conceived as a museum documenting instances of genocide, the focus has expanded to include many types of intolerance, including intolerance of sexual deviations. A number of exhibits and lectures are of interest to the LGBT community.
Do
Pride Week
- June - Pride Week includes more than 60 events celebrating the LGBT lifestyle, a few highlights are:
- * Marcha del Orgullo LGBT (Gay Pride Parade) - biggest LGBT event of the year in Mexico, with a lively parade down Avenida Reforma
- * BearMex - events during 3 days of Pride Week that cater to the interests of the bear, leather, and fetish crowd
- * La Mas Draga - concert and show featuring the most fabulous drag queens
- * Pervert - 2 full days of techno rave, sign up in advance because venues are announced just hours in advance
- * Pride Together - huge dance party with four stages, 10 live performances and 20 DJs that keep the party rolling all day and night
Bath houses
- 1 Sodome, Calz. Gral. Mariano Escobedo 716, Polanco. Large multi-level facility with a bar and lounge, hot tub, labyrinth, go-go boys and monthly themed parties.
- 2 Banos Finisterre, Manuel María Contreras 11,San Rafael, Cuauhtémoc, ☏ +52 555 535 3543. Local bathhouse with a diverse clientele. Busiest time is Saturday and Sunday mornings around 08:00.
Events
- Sungay Brunch - Monthly event held on a Sunday afternoon/evening. Info is available via Instagram (@sungaybrunch) with tickets sold via EventBrite. Various locations throughout the city.
Buy
Eat
- 1 Lardo, Agustin Melgar 6, Condesa. Casual Mediterranean influenced restaurant owned by lesbian celebrity chef, Elena Reygadas. The place is a gay favorite for breakfast and brunch.
- 2 Pujol, Tennyson 133, Polanco. Celebrity chef Enrique Olvera's Pujol has been nearly impossible to get reservations practically since its opening in 2000. It one of Mexico's top restaurants with innovative contemporary Mexican cuisine, the star of which is the mole nuevo laced with 1,000-day aged mole.
Drink
Zona Rosa
- 1 Kinky Bar, C. Amberis 1. Large 3-floor bar with a mix of mainstream LGBTQ singles and couples. Drinking, dancing, drag performances and go-go boys.
- 2 Cabaretito - Punto y Aparte, C. Amberis 61. Multi-level club with drag shows on the rooftop, karaoke on the second floor, dancing on the first floor. No cover charge and cheap beer (Tecate).
- 3 Vaqueros Bar, Florencia 35. Laid back cowboy atmosphere with a 30+ age group of various LGBT with a few straights mixed in. Dance floor and live performances nightly.
- 4 Nicho Bears and Bar, Londres 182. Popular watering hole for the bears and leather crowd, including a large number of younger bears (should we call them "cubs"?)
- 5 Baby, Londres 179. Drag shows, go-go boys, long lines and a young crowd.
Centro
- 6 La Purísima (La Puri), Republica de Cuba 17. Fun dance club with parties going all night. Huge crowds on weekends.
- 7 Marrakech Salon (El Marra), Republica de Cuba 18. Iconic Mexico City gay bar with great music and large crowds.
- 8 Pecado, Republica de Cuba 45. Small club with a lively bar attracting a mixed crowd. Drag queens and performers are on a small stage at the back.
Sleep
LGBT friendly hotels can be found in every part of the city and a large number of Airbnb hosts actively reach out to the LGBT community. A few noteworthy choices that appeal to LGBT travelers are listed here.
- 1 Las Alcobas, Av Masaryk, Polanco. Posh luxury hotel in a former mansion with an interior designed by the Yabu Pushelberg duo. Upscale dining and spa services.
- 2 Condesa DF, Parque Espana, Condesa, ☏ +52 55 5241 2600. Upscale boutique hotel that has been a favorite of the LGBT community since opening in 2005. iPods in rooms and a house dog, along with a rooftop terrace bar and a sushi bar. The El Patio restaurant is a brunch favorite for the LGBT see-and-be-seen crowd.
Connect
Mexico City has excellent cell coverage with 5G service throughout the city via several providers.
Most hotels and restaurants provide free WiFi and the CDMX city government provides free WiFi service in many public parks.
Stay safe
Mexico City is welcoming of LGBTQ travelers and it is extremely unlikely that you will be singled out for any kind of hate crime or verbal abuse. Such things are far in the past. Nonetheless, it would be wise not to flaunt lifestyle choices if you leave the city for more rural explorations where minds change slowly. The main tourist areas and popular LGBTQ neighborhoods will be completely safe and you will feel quite comfortable there.