Cancún’s Best Bars: Señor Frog’s and Carlos & Charlie’s
Let’s face it; Cancún, Mexico’s largest Caribbean resort area on the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, isn’t a place to go if you want to have a quiet, meditative holiday; it’s THE place to have fun in the sun during the day and party during the night. And in Cancún, people know how to party and it’s a given that you’ll have more fun than you’ve ever had in your life. But where do you go to the maximum amount of crazy fun in Mexico’s Fun capital? Well, to get started, a visit to the two best bars in town are in order.
Right off the bat, bars in Mexico are like nowhere else in the world; not only do you have a few drinks and maybe a quick meal; you’re encouraged to dance along with the locals and party like it’s 1999. Even if you’re not a dancing type, in Cancún you won’t be able to help yourself; you’ll be a dancing machine. So, this means that no matter what bar you go to in town, chances are, you’re going to have a good time. However, to bring things to legendary levels, there are two bars in Cancún that have been iconic for decades; popular with international tourists and locals alike, Señor Frog’s and Carlos & Charlie’s are another category altogether; these two places are party heaven.
Señor Frog’s Blvd. Kukulcan km 9.5, Zona Hotelera (Across from Playa Chac Mool), 77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico tel: 01 998 883 3454
This restaurant/bar, while it has a wild atmosphere, it’s all in good fun, meaning the waiters and staff will pull you out of your chair to dance to the music being played by one of the best DJ’s in town; “shot girls” will come around and offer shots of alcohol; while you down your shot they blow a whistle and give you a slap on both cheeks, too!
At Señor Frog’s, it’s the staff’s job to ensure that everyone has a good time; but what makes this place especially incredible is that while many patrons will have a lot of alcoholic beverages, they manage to make the place fun for people who don’t drink, too. Even families who go to this establishment for a meal will say they had the time of their lives in Señor Frogs. The staff can get even the most staid of families out of their chairs and dancing on the tables – without alcohol involved.
If you’re looking for a gourmet meal, then this might not be the place for you. However, if you’re with some friends and really want to let your hair down, you will never be disappointed; same thing goes if you’re travelling with your family. This one place has everything for everybody…and did we mention that this place has a flipping waterslide???
For hard-core partiers, this is probably the best bar in town to go to before heading out to resorts famous night-clubs; it will set the tone of absolutely insane fun for the whole night.
Carlos’ n Charlie’s Blvd. Kukulcan Km 8.5, Local 10 y 10C, Forum by the Sea, C.P. 77500, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico tel: 998 883 4468
Practically an institution since the 1970’s, if a person visits Cancún but doesn’t go to Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s, they’ve missed the point and missed what could almost certainly be the highlight of their trip. Again, like Señor Frog’s, it’s a casual restaurant with a party atmosphere that works for those who want to get a wild night out started, but it is also a great place for families who want to enjoy a fun experience. The staff at this place are also specially selected for their ability to be great waiters and make their patrons have a good time.
Staff interaction with customers is the key here; the philosophy at Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s is “anything goes” and “feel free”. However, unlike Señor Frogs where the sole focus seems to be on customer/staff interaction and partying, Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s’ also has great food, so even fussy patrons who want a gourmet meal are going to be absolutely delighted. When guacamole is ordered, the chef prepares it right at the customer’s table to ensure that only the freshest, high quality ingredients are used. This is not a place that uses pre-made mixes! Also, according to experts, Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s has the best “ceviche” in town, which is saying a lot because Cancún is famous for the marinated fish and shrimp dish.
Carlos n’ Charlie’s is also famed for the offbeat activities it provides; waiters perform a floor show, sometimes local bands play music, and other branches of Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s provide indoor basketball courts, arcade style games, a dance floor, and markers on which to draw on the paper tablecloths.
From the moment you walk in the door at Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s, you’re treated like you’re one of the gang, like you’re a special guest at the best party you’ve ever been invited to, and the party atmosphere is suitable for everyone from children to adults; everyone’s needs are taken care of.
There are other bars and nightclubs in Cancún that are terrific for the over-18 crowd, such as Coco Bongo which is next door to Carlos’n’Charlie’s. In fact, there are so many great places that it would be incredibly difficult to come up with a Top Ten. But Señor Frog’s and Carlos’ n’ Charlie’s cater to party-goers and families alike, and nobody ever walks away disappointed. For these reasons, these two bars/restaurants are always rated as Cancún’s two legendary establishments.
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