5 reviewed party hostels · from €8.34/night · Hostelworld rated
Oaxaca’s nightlife runs on mezcal and cumbia. Head to **Calle Macedonio Alcalá** after dark: it’s the spine of the city’s bar scene, lined with candlelit mezcalerías and pop-up stalls selling tlayudas. The hostel crowd gravitates towards **Santo Domingo**, where rooftop bars like Selina’s serve cocktails for 80–150 MXN and the crowd spills onto the street by 11 p.m. Most party hostels cluster here too, offering free breakfast and organised bar crawls that hit three or four spots in a single night. It’s small enough that you’ll end up at the same places as friends you made that afternoon, but lively enough to keep meeting new people.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Casa Angel Hostel is an electrifying party haven, acclaimed by Lonely Planet. With modern amenities, vibrant events, and a rooftop terrace for happy hour, it embodies the spirit of celebration. Its central location and diverse activities create an unforgettable party atmosphere.
Nice social hostel well-located, just a short walk away from the famous bars and restaurants in the downtown. There are lots of activities for guests like city tours, cooking classes, hiking, horse riding, language lessons, etc. A beautiful garden full of native plants is the perfect spot where you can meet other travellers. Free healthy breakfast included.
Amazing hostel with a huge terrace where you can enjoy your favourite drink and watch the stunning sunsets. Indoor/outdoor eating areas and a cool on-site bar are great spots where you can bond with other backpackers. They have cosy hammocks and cinema screen with comfy seating for chilling. Right next to the pedestrian street crowded with shops, bars, and local restaurants.
Crazy and fun party hostel with amazing pool and garden. Several common areas are ideal for eating, drinking, playing pool or foosball with friends or fellow travellers. A lively on-site bar is a great place where locals and backpackers like to mingle. The bar is hosting crazy parties on Fridays and Saturdays.
Selina Oaxaca is a good option for those, who want to be close to some of the best attractions of the city. It has an amazing on-site bar. They host different parties and events pretty often. You can even listen to some live music, attend yoga classes or visit the library zone while staying there.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A four-stop crawl through historic mezcalerías and bars in the centre. The tour includes two free mezcal tastings, a welcome shot at each venue, and party games like lotería (Mexican bingo). Venues change weekly, but expect a mix of local spots and backpacker favourites like **La Popular**.
This crawl focuses on off-the-radar mezcalerías and speakeasies. You’ll visit three bars, each with a free shot or cocktail, and learn how to order mezcal like a local. The group is small (max 12 people), so it’s easier to meet others. Ends at a late-night taquería for tacos.
How Oaxaca's nightlife zones break down
The heart of Oaxaca’s nightlife, centred around the gold-leaf church of Santo Domingo. Streets like **Macedonio Alcalá** and **García Vigil** are packed with bars, mezcalerías, and hostels. It’s touristy but undeniably lively: expect marimba music spilling from doorways and street food stalls until 2 a.m.
A 10-minute walk east of the centre, Jalatlaco is quieter but has some of the best late-night spots. **Calle de Manuel Doblado** is the main drag, lined with colourful houses and hidden mezcalerías. It’s where locals go after midnight, and the after-hours scene is more low-key than Santo Domingo.
A residential area north of the centre with a handful of expat-friendly bars. **Calle de Reforma** has a few rooftop spots and craft beer taps, but it’s not a nightlife hub. Come here for a quieter drink before heading into Santo Domingo: it’s a 15-minute walk or a 50 MXN taxi ride.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
The go-to rooftop for hostel crowds. Happy hour runs 5–7 p.m. with 60 MXN beers and 80 MXN mezcal cocktails. The view over Santo Domingo Church is best just before sunset, but it’s standing-room only by 9 p.m. Expect a mix of backpackers and digital nomads.
A two-storey club with cumbia, reggaeton, and live bands on weekends. Entry is 50 MXN and includes a drink. The dance floor fills by 11 p.m., and the crowd is mostly locals in their 20s. Upstairs has pool tables and cheaper beer (40 MXN).
A dimly lit mezcalería with 50+ varieties behind the bar. Try the espadín or tobala: both are 40 MXN a shot. The crowd is a mix of expats and Oaxacans, and it gets loud once the marimba band starts around 9 p.m. No cover, but arrive early for seats.
A Basque pintxo bar that turns into a late-night party. The kitchen closes at midnight, but the bar stays open until 2 a.m. with DJs playing electronic and Latin beats. Cocktails are 100 MXN, and the crowd is older (late 20s–30s).
A Oaxacan cantina with live son jarocho and marimba most nights. Entry is 30 MXN, and beers are 35 MXN. The crowd is mostly Mexican families early on, but it turns into a sing-along by 10 p.m. Try the chapulines (grasshoppers) if you’re feeling brave.
A 21+ wine bar with a speakeasy vibe. The menu has 20 Mexican wines by the glass (60–90 MXN). It’s quiet before 8 p.m., but the back room turns into a lounge with DJs after 10 p.m. Dress smart: no sandals or shorts.
A tiny, no-frills mezcalería with 30 varieties and zero tourists. The owner, Don Luis, pours flights for 100 MXN. It’s cash-only and closes by midnight, so go early. The crowd is mostly locals who know their agave.
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