Let’s drink, eat, and dance the weekend away in one of Mexico’s most vibrant cities.
When most Americans think of Mexico, they think of beach resorts. I have nothing against Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, but if we’re being honest, you’re not getting the real Mexico experience when you book an all-inclusive resort for the weekend.
Top to bottom, Mexico is an incredible place. It’s vibrant. It’s delicious. It’s welcoming. It has more world-class tequila than you could drink in a lifetime. In my opinion, it’s a must for anyone who likes to eat and drink life to the fullest and Guadalajara is a great place to start.
Why? It has a little bit of everything. As the seventh largest city in the country, it’s definitely not small, but it’s also not Mexico City. You can enjoy the finest modern restaurants and attractions, while also getting out to the countryside in no time. In this guide, let’s imagine you’re spending 72 hours in one of my favorite places on earth. It’s going to be a great weekend.
As the epicenter for quality tequila, it’s an ancient and deeply rooted tradition that dates back for centuries. In other words, what wine is to Bordeaux, tequila is to Jalisco.
Day 1: Getting Your Feet Wet
I don’t know about you, but when I get off of a flight, I’m ready for a beer and comfort food. You’ve got plenty of options right away, including Birrieria Chololo Carretera a Chapala, which is just minutes from the airport. The name may be hard to say, but this staple is a great introduction to Jaliscan cuisine. A “birrieria” is simply a restaurant that serves birria, a generic name for a stewed meat dish, often made with goat. It’s delicious.
Or, if you’d like to get into the heart of the city right off the bat, I’d highly recommend swinging by Theo by Vincent for a more modern take on traditional Jaliscan dishes. It’s a great pit stop on the way to one of the pillars of culture in the region—destilerias.
It's always nice to know where your vices come from, so an agave field should be in your future.
Any trip to Jalisco needs to include tequila. Sure, it’s a delicious drink, but it’s far more than that for Jaliscans. As the epicenter for quality tequila, it’s an ancient and deeply rooted tradition that dates back for centuries. In other words, what wine is to Bordeaux, tequila is to Jalisco. It’s important. Heading northwest out of the city, you’ll find two great distilleries—Tequila Fortaleza and Tequilere Arette de Jalisco. You could easily plan an entire vacation around touring tequila distilleries, but these two are a great place to start.
After a full day of flying and traveling, head back towards the center of the city for a nightcap at SE7ENTA, which has great cocktails and a full selection of tequilas you can browse—you know, since you’re an expert from your tours.
Day two is where the magic happens. You’ve had 24 hours to adjust, brush up on your Spanish a bit, and now it’s time to sink your teeth into everything this incredible city has to offer.
There's always something interesting happening on the streets of Tlaquepaque.
Day 2: Branch Out, Buy-In
Day two is where the magic happens. You’ve had 24 hours to adjust, brush up on your Spanish a bit, and now it’s time to sink your teeth into everything this incredible city has to offer. For the day, I’m recommending that you head south to Tlaquepaque. This suburb of Guadalajara has a little bit of everything but it’s particularly renowned for its shopping and dining.
And I’m not talking about refrigerator magnets and beach towels. Tlaquepaque’s streets are lined with charming little shops filled with antiques and ephemera that locals have gathered from around the region. It’s more akin to treasure hunting than shopping. Keep an eye out for art, furniture, and knick-knacks from a few decades old to several hundred years old.
These shops are somewhere in between an antique store and a museum—the kind where you can buy the exhibits.
Then, take a break and swing by Casa Luna, one of my favorite restaurants in the city. It strikes the perfect balance of being modern and innovative while also celebrating some of the ancient techniques that have shaped Jalisco’s food culture for centuries. Paired with a vibrant, open-air atmosphere, it’s a great place to unwind before you tackle more shopping.
I love the details of Mexico. It's a place with deep history, and you can find it in surprising places.
If you haven’t drunk your weight in tequila by this point, this is your chance because Guadalajara’s nightlife is something to behold. Really, there are too many places to list, but I’ll say Farmacia and Vietnam are my two go-to’s in the heart of the city. Both are small and full of character. If you want a little taste of Texas with your Mexican bar, Farmacia’s jukebox is ready for your crew. It’s low, stone ceilings and extensive tequila selection are the perfect vibe for your night out. Then, make your way a few streets over to Vietnam, an oddly named bar that’s short on space, but not on fine tequilas. Don’t forget to sleep at some point.
If you haven’t drunk your weight in tequila by this point, this is your chance because Guadalajara’s nightlife is something to behold.
Day 3: El Gran Final
Day three is a tricky one. The return to normal life looms in the air, which may give off a bittersweet feeling. It should also light a fire under your ass to make the most of Mexico and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you’re feeling the tequila just a bit from last night, so a quick bite and copious amounts of coffee are in order. Recharge, refuel, and then head to Pig’s Pearls for a surprisingly delicious burger. Yep, you read that right. Go grab a burger in Guadalajara—it’s good for the soul, and that hangover you’re nursing.
Now that you’re back among the living, I’d recommend improvising a little bit and following your nose around the historic district of the city. The Catedral de Guadalajara is just one of the many beautiful cathedrals around the city and you’ll find some sort of ancient attraction around every corner—not to mention markets and food carts. This area is a great way to make the day your own, whether it’s shopping, learning, eating, drinking, or all of the above.
The Catedral de Guadalajara is just one of the many beautiful cathedrals around the city and you’ll find some sort of ancient attraction around every corner—not to mention markets and food carts.
Before you leave the historic district, kick off happy hour at Cantina la Fuente, one of the oldest cantinas in the city. It exudes old-world charm—be sure to ask about the story behind the bicycle hanging on the wall, and grab a paloma while you’re at it. Now we’re ready for our last evening in Guadalajara. It’s going to be a doozy.
Other than tequila, mariachi music may be the most important cultural touchpoint in the region. In fact, if you did nothing else than dance the night away to some mariachi tunes I wouldn’t blame you.
For dinner plans, I’d probably head over to Xokol and experience one of the most creative iterations of Jaliscan cuisine out there and then mosey on over to the Turbio Wine Bar for a quick break from tequila. Lastly, there’s only one way to end your Jaliscan adventure: mariachi. Other than tequila, mariachi music may be the most important cultural touchpoint in the region. In fact, if you did nothing else than dance the night away to some mariachi tunes I wouldn’t blame you. Head to Casa Bariachi for the real deal. There’s a solid chance you’ll be the only tourist around, which means you’re in the right place. Be sure to throw some pesos to the band and you can have a tableside serenade you’ll never forget—just be sure to set an alarm for that flight in the morning.
Cantina La Fuente exudes old-world charm. The cocktails aren't half-bad, either.
I don’t have to tell you that this list is not exhaustive. I’ve been to Guadalajara quite a few times and I still feel like I’m only scratching the surface of what it has to offer, which is an exciting notion. In that spirit, I’d encourage you to use this guide as inspiration more than prescription. Test things out. Go explore. Eat some fried crickets. Jaliscans will be dancing the night away to the sweet sounds of Vincente Fernandez long after the gulf has washed those resorts away. You may as well join them.
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¿Quieres un poco inspiración para su viaje a México? Escuchas Mariachi Mùsica en Spotify.
Photography by Steve Schwartz