7 Best Things to Do in Mazatlán at Night

If you’re looking for a big night out in Mazatlán, the Golden Zone (Zone Dorada) is a great place to start. The coastal region of the city is home to the big beach resort hotels and caters for tourists with open-air cafes, restaurants and beach bars and clubs to take you from dusk till dawn.

If you want to eat out, you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving traditional Mexican fare. Many quality seafood restaurants are also located in The Golden Zone, dishing up an abundance of shrimp, which is the favourite local delicacy. After dinner, explore some of Mazatlán’s best night clubs in this area, including Classico and Joe’s Oyster Bar.

The Malecón is the oceanfront promenade stretching the length of the city’s bay and is one of the most popular things to do at night in Mazatlán. This 7 km stretch of seafront is lined with a wide choice of restaurants, cafes and bars, where you can grab an outside table to people-watch and enjoy the beautiful ocean views.

It’s an exciting area to discover, and the Malecón really comes alive when the sun goes down. Take an evening stroll to see street performers and live music, as you soak up the atmosphere and take in the sights. Don’t miss the cliff divers at ‘El Clavadista’, who often continue to perform after dark with torches to illuminate them.

If you’re looking to see a colour-filled sunset in Mazatlán, head to Playa Cerritos, a beautiful beach situated to the north of the city. The beach offers a wide expanse of golden sand stretching for 5 km and can be reached on foot from the Golden Zone or the Old Town.

With a dramatic coastline, Playa Cerritos offers dazzling sunset views and a peaceful, laid-back vibe. There are several seafront restaurants and bars, so grab a front-row seat to look out over the ocean with a delicious cocktail in hand.

Mazatlán’s historic Old Town (Centro Historico) looks particularly beautiful at night when the stars are out. Take an evening stroll to see some of the city’s most impressive statues and historical sights, such as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, lit up by moonlight.

The main central square, Plaza Machado, is the heart of the Old Town and full of life in the evenings. You can watch street performers and live music from open-air cafes with tables spilling into the street. There are numerous wonderful restaurants in this part of town, such as Topolo and El Presidio Cocina de México.

Sitting on the beach in the Golden Zone, Joe’s Oyster Bar is a well-known night spots in Mazatlán, hailed as one of the best bars in the city. Take in the ocean views as you tuck into delicious seafood and Mexican dishes, including ceviches, tostadas, aguachiles and tacos.

At night, Joe’s Oyster Bar steps it up a gear and is more like a nightclub with DJs and pounding dance music. This is the place to enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails or dance under the palapa roof in the open-air till the sun comes up over the Pacific.

If you’re looking to go clubbing in Mazatlán, Classico is one of the most popular nightclubs in the city. Found in the Golden Zone, this large-scale mega-club is not for the faint-hearted with spectacular light shows, acrobatic dancers and a state-of-the-art sound system.

Classico is an upmarket venue, with an extensive and decadent cocktail list and table service. Many locals head here for a big, and late, night out in Mazatlán, with the party starting around midnight on weekends and closing only when the sun comes up. Check the Classico Facebook page to find out what’s on and any upcoming events. 

For one of the best things to do in Mazatlán at night, a fine dining experience at El Presidio Cocina de México surely must make the cut. Found in a converted 10th-century house in the heart of Downtown, it’s claimed to be one of the best restaurants in the city and is the perfect place for a special meal out on your trip.

El Presidio serves up a mouth-watering Mexican menu with plenty of seafood in a sophisticated space. The central courtyard is the Instagram-worthy highlight of the restaurant itself. Secure an outside table, where you can enjoy your food surrounded by tropical flowers and plants, with chains of fairy lights festooned above you.