posted by Donna-Lee on Mar 23
A large number of island visitors return to their cruise ships by the early evening. After the ships weigh anchor and light up their rigging as they sail off, the nightlife in Cozumel begins.
Although it is not quite as much a party town as Cancún – perhaps because alcohol and diving don’t mix well – it still swings. The hottest eating, dancing and “ass-kicking” party place is Carlos & Charlie’s rooftop dance and grill restaurant, near the ferry dock on Av. Melgar. It’s up a steep set of stairs that guarantees a problem coming back down after a few drinks! Dine on the terrace overlooking the harbor and the main drag below.
When Carlos closes at 1 am the sleepless from Seattle may wander over to find you at Joe’s, a crowded bar and live-music super party place on Av. 10 between 1 & 3 South; or at Raga, the live reggae, salsa and rock music Caribbean restaurant and bar, on Av. Salas between 10 and 15 (opens at 10:30 pm). The oceanfront drive boasts a popular Hard Rock Café and a Planet Hollywood, both smaller and more intimate than their Cancún counterparts.
The latest entry in the late-night fun search is Hooks, a restaurant/bar (see restaurant review, above) that becomes a disco around 10:30 until closing at 3 am. Less strenuous is the Laser Karaoke Bar at the Fiesta Inn Hotel, a little south of the city. Follow the sounds of singing. If you’d rather listen to real singers go to Tony Rome’s (Av. 5 South No. 21), where the duo of Bryan and Tony Rome himself croon relaxing music with two shows nightly at 7:30 and 9:30. Tony’s offers good food and loaded drinks.
If you’re traveling with children or just prefer to party early, the Hotel El Cozumeleño (phone 987/2-00-50) has great nightly beach parties with live music. Locals and visitors alike love to spend hours at night people-watching downtown. If that appeals to you, go to the Aladin Video Bar on the northeast corner of the main square. Actually, any of the plaza-side or street-side places on the island are great for absorbing the environs in the evening .
Discos
The disco dance floors can become very crowded in Cozumel. Scaramouche opens at 9:30 and closes at 3 am, two blocks south of the square on Av. Melgar. Neptuno Disco, five blocks south of the plaza, was remodeled a year or so ago and is always filled with a good mix of locals and tourists who love to dance and mingle. They have huge TV screens and a sharp laser light show.
