The Musical Pulse of Baja – Venues

Whether you like singers, or full bands, or karaoke, there is no shortage of local venues for live entertainment.  Most of the time, there is no cover charge or ticket needed.  And for the bigger events that do charge admission, it is usually much less than a ticket would cost north of the border.  The paid events are often for the benefit of a local group or charity.

Most of the restaurants or clubs with live music concentrate on Friday and Saturday nights, but there are options during the week also.  With summer ending, many of the regularly scheduled gigs will be changing, but on Tuesdays Christopher Spanos is at Charly’s Place, and there are one dollar fish tacos also.  Thursday nights you can find the weekly Blues Jam with Hola Soy Lola at Tequila Disco Bar in Tijuana.  Last month was the 100th consecutive week for that show, and always a good time.  Wednesday and Thursday you can usually find Eddie Alpuche or Julio Acosta entertaining with their karaoke / live singing performances.  Frequent locations include Los Amigos, Paradise Cove, and Pescador.  On Fridays and Saturdays, throw Steve Morgan and Chuy Gomez into the mix, with Bahia Cantiles, Charly’s Place, Rosa and Rita Bar (at the Rosarito Beach Hotel), Popotla Bar, and Baja Calypso as options.

Speaking of Baja Calypso, Quino from Big Mountain can often be seen there on Friday or Saturday nights.  Other locations for live bands from Rosarito, Tijuana, Ensenada, and even San Diego, include the Lighthouse, Poco Cielo, Hotel La Mision, KM42 Pub and Grill, Victoria’s Cafe, Calafia, Sunio Beach Club (inside Castillos Del Mar), Rosarito Beach Pizza, KaBaCo-by-the-Sea, and Kava Cafe (inside Quinta Del Mar).  The long-time dancing location at Rene’s Sports Bar has been closed during a re-model into a casino.  Not sure what will be available there when it re-opens.

On Sundays, you can be serenaded during brunch at Mi Casa Supper Club, Leo’s, the Original La Fonda, the other La Fonda to the north and Ruben’s.

For updates of which performer is at what venue, call ahead or check online.  Almost every venue and performer has a website, even if it is their Facebook page.   You can also join the Facebook group Rosarito Living or download the free android mobile  app Rosarito Living for weekly summaries.  There are many options in Tijuana, Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe also.  A quick search on Google or facebook will reveal much.

Please remember that sometimes your tips are a big portion of the money the performers make, along with the other support personnel, such as bartenders, waiters and cooks, security and parking attendants.  Their efforts all help contribute to your enjoyment.  If you are able, and if the service was good, please remember to include them in your tipping considerations.