Written by Stephanie Carmon
When going out in Merida there are lots of great choices! Here we have put together a list of some of our favorites.
1. Salsipuedes at Paseo Tulum
We checked out Salsipuedes Merida’s newest spot to hit up for a chill, but very fun Tulum-y vibe (minus the Tulum prices!).
This cantina “vergana” has a great menu of botanas created by one of Merida’s top chefs Roberto Solis. As done in most cantinas, you sit down order your drink, my go-to is usually tequila :), and then they serve you up awesome vegan snacks. For vegans there is a world of options; however, meat lovers won’t be disappointed either they have lamb, seafood and killer chicken wings.
Music every evening includes DJ’s, bands, live performances and even karaoke. It’s an outdoor venue which makes it “safer” by pandemic standards. They are located in Paseo Tulum and, along with the restaurant and bar, there are also some great spaces used by local artists and stores selling original art and home decor. It’s definitely worth a visit, it is a fun cantina/restaurant hangout.
- Open 12-10pm everyday
- Calle 60 x 37 y 39 Centro, Merida
- IG: salsipuedesmid
- https://www.facebook.com/salsipuedesmerida
6.Catrín
We have been patrons of Catrin since its beginning. Is a fun and colorful restaurant with a Mexican menu from all over the Republic. They are a botanero which means their meals are meant to be put in the middle of the table and shared. The menu consist of meats, soups, elaborated vegetables and all hot dishes are served on a cast iron plate.
Catrin is a local trendy place to hang out and have some drinks with friends in the patio area. The bar specializes in cocktails and has a variety of spirits and beers to choose from. Outside, a stunning mural of the famous Catrin greets everyone venturing in! The festive ambiance invites the diner to stay not for just a meal, but for a long evening of great food, cocktails and laughs with friends.
They are starting to have some controlled live music on the patio!
Calendar of Music: starts around 7pm but the schedule changes depending on Covid.
- Tuesdays live music in the courtyard it’s chill, but some of the trendiest musicians around town.
- Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays DJ Pashe Latin music-electro cumbias-reggaetón
- Saturdays DJ Chap starts with house chill then finishes the evening with reggaetón and Latin music.
- Location: Calle 47 between 54 and 52
- Open Hours: 1-10pm everyday
- Reservations: 999 518 1725
- https://www.facebook.com/Catrinmid
- https://www.instagram.com/catrinmid/
2. Mercado 60
Mercado 60 has been around for several years now and is an open-air food market with 14 different restaurants, a concept store of various Mexican brands, and live music almost every night of the week! Since it first opened, it has been a huge hit with both locals, tourists and foreigners alike who live in Merida. The variety of really good food and drinks plus the music makes it an ideal place to visit in the evenings if you are looking for a festive ambiance. It’s a great place to go with friends and is super family friendly.
Their live music calendar is:
- Wednesdays: Latin music or Pop
- Thursdays: Rock and Pop
- Fridays and Saturdays: are Latin, Salsa and Cuban music
- Sundays: there is a Mexican folkloric dance show—one of our favorites!
In the works: As the pandemic allows Mercado 60 will be adding on Eden Paraíso, a beachy-vibe restaurant. bar, Havanita Social Club, a new salsa club, a new roofed area to keep out the rain, and a kids area.
- Open from 6-11pm everyday
- Located on Calle 60 and 51 & 57
- https://www.instagram.com/mercado60/
- https://www.facebook.com/mercado60
- http://www.mercado60.com/
3. HôN Mérida
HôN Mérida is new on the scene and is one of the newest additions to the Calle 47, the street we at MID City call culinary row. They installed themselves there during the pandemic and have earned a loyal client base because of their great Asian food. Half of the menu is Vietnamese and the rest is made up of food from Thailand, Japan, and China. The dishes are delicious and the ingredients are always fresh. My favorite is the Bánh bao—steamed Vietnamese bread stuffed with tofu or pork belly–sooo good!
The outdoor bar/restaurant area opened when Merida started to open up again. They have a great mixology menu as well as a mean selection of mezcales. Hon is a great place to go with friends – and stay for hours. There is a homey feel as if you are in your own backyard. Also Another super plus about Hon is their awesome music groove. You won’t find the same music in any other place in Merida
Calendar of Music:
- Wednesdays they have jazz
- Thursday they have special events
- Fridays is DJ Amauri wiri malix
- Saturdays DJs and Live Bands and that vary depending on the program of the month it could be cumbia, electronic music or funk.
- Open Hours 3pm-10:30pm everyday
- Location: Calle 47 x 52 y 54
- Website: https://www.hon.com.mx/
- https://www.facebook.com/honmid
- https://www.instagram.com/honmid/
4. Paseo 60
Paseo 60 has been a favorite of ours since it opened up nearly 2 years ago. It is a trendy cultural center where you can find full dining restaurants such as Crabster, Querreke, Mercy and Teya, plus a gourmet market with many awesome restaurant stalls to order to go or to sit outside on the tables provided or in the inside dining area called “Casa Maquinas”. Also at the plaza is Aldrin Ayuso clothing designs, Entrepisos Fine Mexican arts store, Casa Manzanero museum about singer and composer Armando Manzanero, Alejandra Herrera Hair Salon, barber shop, art gallery, and more! It’s perfect for tourists or visitors because they have an upscale ADO bus station on the premises as well as two hotels: NH Collection and City Express Plus. The architecture is designed so that there is a nice breeze at all times of the day and there is a large outdoor eating area.
We love to go there for its bustling nightlife and live music Tuesday to Sunday starting at 7:30pm. The stage is centrally located and faces an outdoor eating area that keeps everyone much safer in this time of the pandemic. And you can see the stage from all the restaurants and from the indoor dining area Casa Maquina.
It is also a great spot to have breakfast; the three restaurants, Crabster, Teya and Merci serve some of the best breakfasts in town. With the return of the Sunday mornings biciruta, it’s a great time to go out, get some exercise, eat a nice breakfast with the fam or friends, and enjoy a leisurely day. They are now renting bikes every day from 7am to 10pm.
Also, on every other Sunday on the 2nd floor there is a plant bazaar. Check their social media for the exact days.
- Open Hours:
- Location: Calle 60 x 37
- https://www.facebook.com/Paseo60
- https://www.instagram.com/paseo60/
5. Amado by The Beerbox
Amado is a nice gastropub also located in what was Casa Dominga on Culinary Row (Calle 47). We love Amado because it has a fantastic section of microbrews from Mexico and abroad and we even found Sierra Nevada from Chico, California, my hometown.
The pub is in a beautiful building which adds to the experience. As you walk in, it looks like you’re walking into a large colonial mansion and each room has very tall ceilings and they use the space as a gallery now showing the art of Yucatecan artist Kari Arceo. There is also a large patio area that is dimly lit and spacious. It’s a perfect place to listen to music and hang out with friends or family.
The last time we went we tried some tapas of cold cuts and cheese on toasted french bread or fried plantain and mushrooms with garlic and chile. The appetizers were good and both paired with a pale ale: Celestun from Esmeralda Brewing, very nice and full flavor, and Cayaco from Colima which was light but flavorful. With each meal they offer you a beer pairing so if you are a craft beer lover, this could be your kind of place! They also have a full bar, so even if you aren’t so keen on beer, there are lots to choose from.
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays LIVE MUSIC
Jazz and Soul great grooves in a trendy space (both outdoor and indoor dining)
- Open Tuesday -Sunday 1-10pm
- For reservations call: 999 251 8748
- https://www.facebook.com/AmadoByTheBeerBox
- https://www.instagram.com/amado_by_thebeerbox/
7. Casona Origen
There is a newly renovated colonial in the Centro that is most definitely a lovely place for outdoor events. The Casona Origen has created the ambiance of a community center and invites people who enjoy the arts, music and film to come to their events. They just recently have started doing live music and film events in their large outdoor patio area as well as hosting art bazaars and other activities that enrich the community.
It’s a great space to meet new friends or hang out with old ones. The vibe is chill and cultured and there are people of all ages enjoying themselves by the pool or under the large shade trees. It’s a great new vibe for Centro!
Soon they will be publishing a detailed calendar of events, but for now you can go to their Instagram and see when their next event is. They have been hosting live music every other Friday usually starting at 8pm. Sometimes they have food or drink for sale as well.
- Location: Calle 57 #442 x 44 y 46
- Reservations or questions: bio@origen.centro
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/origen.centro/
IG: origen.centro
