La Paz nightlife is more diverse and vibrant than that of San José del Cabo, but not as crazy and tourist-oriented as what you’ll find in Cabo San Lucas. Many Baja expats who live in surrounding towns come to La Paz for live concerts and other performances.

A former journalist and Canadian expat maintains an up-to-date website (www.rozinlapaz.com) that describes all the venues and lists most of the goings on around town. Most venues are open nightly until at least midnight or later on weekends.

One of the oldest watering holes in town is Tequilas Bar and Grill (Ocampo 310 E. at Mutualisimo, tel. 612/121-5217) with simple decor, pool tables, and a cigar bar. It has a full kitchen and will happily cook your fresh catch for you.

Bar Salsipuedes (Obregón 2130, btw Allende/Juárez, tel. 612/128-5594) seems to attract a concentration of the city’s marine biologists. Besides serving drinks, it shows films, arts exhibits, and sports events.

Carlos’n Charlie’s, on Paseo Obregón, has an attached dance club called La Paz Lapa (Obregón and 16 de Septiembre, tel. 612/122-9290).

Above Pizza Fabula Casa de Villa (Obregón and 16 de Septiembre, tel. 612/122-5799) is a rooftop bar and nightclub that’s popular with locals.

The Hotel Perla’s Nightclub La Cabaña (Obregón 1570, tel. 612/122-0777, 9 P.M.–3 A.M. daily) hosts norteña bands, usually on Thursdays and Sundays.

On the malecón, sportfishing outfitter Jonathan Roldan has opened the Tailhunter Bar & FUBAR Cantina (Obregón 755 btw Salvatierra/Torre Iglesias, cell tel. 612/125-3311, U.S. tel. 626/638-3383, toll-free U.S. tel. 877/825-8802, www.tailhunter international.com, mains US$6–14) with nine flat-screen TVs showing all the major sporting events. Enjoy a margarita or cold beer on tap while you work out the details of your fishing trip. The kitchen will prepare and serve your fresh catch or vacuum-seal it to go. You can also order from a menu of traditional Mexican dishes with a Hawaiian flair. For example, the Hawaiian burger comes with teriyaki sauce, cheese, pineapple, mushrooms, lettuce, and tomato.

With locations in Rosarito, Ensenada, and now La Paz, Papas and Beer (Vista Coral Plaza, Márquez de León at Topete, tel. 612/128-5145, www.papasandbeer.com) prides itself on providing a wild spring-break experience for the college crowd. It seems a bit out of place in La Paz, although unlike the Baja California (Norte) establishments, this one attracts more of a local crowd. Its beach club serves a menu of seafood and Mexican dishes.