Plaza Garibaldi

Be serenaded by mariachi band members dressed in brightly colored costumes and visit a museum dedicated to tequila at this lively square.

Discover the infectious beats of traditional Mexican folkloric music at Plaza Garibaldi. This is the city’s focal point of mariachi bands, which congregate in the hundreds to entertain couples, families and tourists. Visit a bar on Plaza Garibaldi that lays claim to introducing mariachi music to Mexico City. Learn about the nation’s most-loved liquors at an interactive museum.

Arrive early in the evening, when the bands of guitar, trumpet and violin players begin to descend upon the square. Watch as the musicians sing romantic ballads to those willing to pay for a performance. See men singing with the bands and serenading their loved ones. Admire the large sombrero hats and charro suits, characterized by buckles on the trouser legs. It’s customary to bargain with the bands if you want them to perform for you.

Go to Salón Tenampa to experience a slice of the square’s musical roots. This bar’s owner brought mariachi bands to Mexico City from Guadalajara in the 1920s. Browse photos of legendary mariachi singers on the bar’s walls and attend live concerts. Guadalajara de Noche, which opened in 1937, is another acclaimed venue to enjoy the song and dance of this unique genre.

On the east side of the square is the Museum of Tequila and Mezcal. Find exhibitions about the distillation of the two popular liquors made from the native agave plant. Among the displays are collections of antique bottles and distilling barrels. Sample different varieties of tequila and mezcal at the museum bar. The museum is open daily and has an admission fee.

The square sits at the northern edge of Mexico City’s historic center, less than a 10-minute walk from the Bellas Artes and Metro Garibaldi metro stations. Public buses and a hop-on, hop-off tourist bus also stop nearby. Visit other major city attractions such as the National Art Museum and Palace of Fine Arts.

Police patrol Plaza Garibaldi however, pickpockets often operate here. Carefully watch your personal possessions. The atmosphere can get rowdy at night, when partygoers leave the bars located in the vicinity.