Salón Tenampa

"Somewhere between a restaurant and a bar are cantinas, where you can eat (usually great) food, drink beer, tequila, or cuba libres, and play cards or dominoes. If you’re at Tenampa, it means you’re in for a long, fun night out—where you can make friends while singing ranchero songs and boleros alongside one of the mariachi bands from Plaza Garibaldi. While drinking tequila, of course, especially since they offer a commendable selection for every budget. On the food side, you’ll find tacos and the Botana Tenampa platter starring a variety of garnachas: sopecitos, tlacoyos, chicharrón gorditas, crispy chicken taquitos that are the perfect size for dipping into guacamole, and potato-and-chorizo-filled pambazos. It’s a masa feast to keep the celebration going." - mariana camacho

"Somewhere between a restaurant and a bar are cantinas, where you can eat (usually great) food, drink beer, tequila, or cuba libres, and play cards or dominoes. If you’re at Tenampa, it means you’re in for a long, fun night out—where you can make friends while singing ranchero songs and boleros alongside one of the mariachi bands from Plaza Garibaldi. While drinking tequila, of course, especially since they offer a commendable selection for every budget. On the food side, you’ll find tacos and the Botana Tenampa platter starring a variety of garnachas: sopecitos, tlacoyos, chicharrón gorditas, crispy chicken taquitos that are the perfect size for dipping into guacamole, and potato-and-chorizo-filled pambazos. It’s a masa feast to keep the celebration going." - Mariana Camacho

"El Tenampa on Plaza Garibaldi Full disclosure: It’s authentically tourist-tacky in Plaza Garibaldi, the traditional Mexico City center for mariachi music and culture. But when you’re ready for a serenade, you’re ready. The plaza fills up late at night, every night, with a motley crew of local revelers from all walks of life, plus visitors, vendors, and dozens of extravagantly attired orchestras. Taking a table at Salón El Tenampa, right on the plaza, may afford a modicum of order. A Garibaldi institution beneath its fabulous neon sign, this music hall pulls in a fascinating, Felliniesque crew of misbehaving pencil pushers, shady ladies, brokenhearted tequila swillers, wide-eyed travelers, and slumming hipsters. Strolling bands—usually pretty good—are available for hire, but bring them in close to your table to avoid sonic interference from every other trumpet in the joint."