This guide to the best things to do after dinner in Monterrey will help you experience some of the city’s quintessential night-time activities. As one of Mexico’s largest metropolises, Monterrey boasts an especially diverse nightlife scene.
While much of the city’s nightclubs and bars are centred around Barrio Antiguo, there is also a vibrant nightlife in the more affluent San Pedro neighbourhood. Those uninterested in heading to a club can find a variety of things to do as the day draw, including watching the sunset from a lookout and wandering around a city park under lights. There are activities and places to go for everyone after having dinner in Monterrey.
- 1
Explanada Santa Lucia
One of the prettiest spots to wander at night
- Asequible
- Ambiente nocturno
- Fotos
Explanada Santa Lucia is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful spots in Monterrey. The public square is in the middle of the city, just next to the Mexico History Museum. It’s a very popular place to head for a walk or romantic picnic, with plenty of space to sit and relax near water fountains.
At night, Explanada Santa Lucia is an especially safe place to head for a stroll after dinner. The fountains are lit up in multiple colours and you can enjoy the beautiful reflections of buildings in the artificial pond and waterway.
Dirección: Sta. Lucía, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Mapa - 2
Mirador del Obispado
Panoramic views over the city from a lookout
- Asequible
- Ambiente nocturno
- Fotos
Mirador del Obispado is a viewpoint at the top of the Cerro del Obispado, just outside of Downtown Monterrey. The hilltop vantage point also features the largest national flag in Mexico, flying at the top of the hill. The highlight of a visit is to enjoy the panoramic views of the city. From 775 metres above sea level, you can see right across most of the metropolitan area.
If you head to the mirador for sunset, you’ll get an incredible panorama of the sun disappearing behind the cityscape. Otherwise, a visit late at night also shows the city in a completely different way, when it’s completely illuminated by city lights. The hilltop has parking and some surrounding gardens to take a wander.
Dirección: C. Loma Larga 2447, Obispado, 64060 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Horario: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Mapa - 3
Gargantuas Cultural Space
A popular gallery and bar showcasing jazz, rock and blues music
- Ambiente nocturno
Gargantuas Cultural Space is an art gallery and music bar located in the middle of Monterrey. The incredibly retro space is an underrated gem when it comes to nightlife in Monterrey. The space features pictures of Che Guevara, Emiliano Zapata, and other rebel characters throughout history adorning the walls.
Gargantuas Cultural Space also showcases some of the city’s best rock, blues and jazz bands and performers every week, with live music and concerts on a regular schedule. The music bar is a very popular place for the city’s bohemian crowd to meet and mingle over a local craft beer.
Dirección: Mariano Escobedo 740, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Horario: Tuesday–Saturday from 6 pm to 11.45 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Teléfono: +52 81 8375 6718
Mapa - 4
Faro de Comercio
An iconic monument lit up at night in Macroplaza
- Asequible
- Ambiente nocturno
- Fotos
Faro de Comercio is a well-known city monument in Monterrey’s famous Macroplaza. The huge plaza features monuments, fountains, and gardens, with Faro de Comercio being just one part of the expansive green space. The monument is a tall and slim lighthouse built in 1984 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce of Monterrey.
The monument was designed by the famous Mexican architect Luis Barragan and constructed by Raul Ferrera. During the day, the tower stands out from the city skyline, towering high above any of the surrounding buildings. It's especially impressive at night, being completely lit up. At the top of the monument is a laser beam that shines across the city and surrounding hills.
Dirección: Juan Zuazua 1049-S CASINO DE MONTERREY, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Mapafoto de JavierDo (CC BY-SA 3.0) modificada
- 5
Luztopia
A Christmas festival on the canal
- Familias
- Ambiente nocturno
Luztopia is an annual Christmas festival on the Canal de Santa Lucia. Located on the outskirts of Downtown Monterrey, it is incorporated into Parque Fundidora. The night festival runs across the festive season from November until January each year. The festival of lights is one of the best places to take the whole family after dinner in Monterrey.
During the festival, there's a variety of iconic structures and creative sculptures all lit up in colourful lights for almost 2 km down the canal. There's also a range of stalls selling food, drinks and Christmas goodies. While it's commonly crowded on a weekend in December, you can purchase tickets online to save time. Kids can enter for free.
Dirección: Parque Fundidora, Paseo Santa Lucía. Avenida Fundidora y Adolfo Prieto, Obrera, 64010 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Horario: Daily from 5 pm to 11 pm
Mapafoto de vladimix (CC BY-SA 2.0) modificada
- 6
Bars in Barrio Antigua
The city’s nightlife hub in the centre of Monterrey
- Ambiente nocturno
Barrio Antigua is known as Monterrey’s historic quarter and nightlife hub. It’s characterised by cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. It has plenty of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and live music venues for everyone to enjoy.
In particular, you’ll find some of the most popular bars scattered around the streets in Barrio Antigua. Most bars in the area showcase live music sessions with bands often playing alternative rock and jazz. You can also find hip breweries serving craft beers, high-end rooftop bars, and late-night clubs, all open until the early morning hours.
Mapafoto de Robert Valencia (CC BY-SA 2.0) modificada
- 7
Arena Monterrey
A famous concert hall in Fundidora Park
- Ambiente nocturno
Arena Monterrey is a major concert venue in Fundidora Park, to the east of Downtown Monterrey. The huge indoor arena seats up to 17,000 people, and is used for concerts, shows and indoor sporting games. It also features a bar and restaurant, catering services and VIP suites.
For major international headline acts, tickets are usually sold out months prior. However, you’ll also find a range of weekly events, for which you can pick up tickets at the door. The modern stadium has become an icon of Monterrey and always has something on the schedule.
Dirección: Av. Francisco I. Madero 2500, Centro, 64010 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Teléfono: +52 81 1515 4100
Mapafoto de Fer aponte2 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modificada
- 8
Auditorio Rio 70
A popular live music venue in Monterrey
- Ambiente nocturno
Auditorio Rio 70 is a popular live music venue just outside of Monterrey's downtown. It's just back from Rio Santa Catarina and next to the Pulga Rio shopping mall. The distinctive venue has a rounded, patterned roof that provides excellent acoustics to make the most of the outstanding sound system inside.
Auditorio Rio 70 showcases some incredible live performances, kid-friendly shows, and plays. It also has a snack bar selling popcorn, chocolate, and drinks. It's best to check the schedule for upcoming performances online and secure your ticket beforehand. There is plenty of parking across the road at the mall.
Dirección: Serafín Peña 1051, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Teléfono: +52 81 8340 3211
Mapa - 9
Monterrey casinos
There's a variety of casinos around the city for games and dining
- Lujo
- Ambiente nocturno
Monterrey has a variety of casino complexes, most of which lie outside of Downtown and along major highways in the surrounding neighbourhoods. These are a great option for those looking for card games, bingo machines, dining and drinking options, and late-night fun. Many of the casinos in Monterrey are open 24/7.
Casino Revolucion is one of the most popular casinos in the city, across from Parque Fundidora. The other major casino is Jubilee Casino, near the Nuevo Sur shopping mall south of Downtown. They all offer multiple floors of fun, with plenty of parking onsite, too.
- 10
Nightclubs in Monterrey
A range of clubs in Monterrey playing all genres of music
- Ambiente nocturno
Monterrey has a range of nightclubs that stay open until the early hours of the morning. Some of the most vibrant clubs are concentrated around the city centre, especially Barrio Antiguo. There's a variety of clubs available, including those that play electronic dance music, top 40 hits and reggae for dancing the night away.
Barrio Antiguo is where you can find unique nightclubs, such as Casa Morelos and Ambia Social Club. Many nightclubs stay open until 2 am or later, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.