Nightclubs

Neptuno (Av. Rafael Melgar at Calle 11, tel. 987/872-1537, 9 p.m.–4 a.m. Tues.–Sun., cover varies) is a good place to check out the local party scene where revelers bump and grind to Latin, pop, rock, and electronic beats. The club is spread over two floors and has a huge dance floor, laser light shows, and theme nights weekly. Things really get going after midnight, especially on weekends.

Overlooking the Caribbean, Tiki Tok (Av. Rafael Melgar btwn Calles 2 and 4, tel. 987/869-8119, www.tikitokcozumel.com, 9 a.m.–2 a.m. Mon.–Wed., 10 a.m.–4 a.m. Thurs.–Sun., no cover) is a South Pacific–inspired restaurant-bar-club complete with coconut lamps, palapa decor, and large wood masks. Drinks range from US$2.50–5, and a live salsa band gets the crowd moving Thursday–Sunday. But don’t get your dancing shoes on too early—the band gets going at midnight, playing ’til 3 a.m. A DJ gets the crowd bumping and grinding every other night.

Bars and Lounges

1.5 Tequila Lounge (Av. Rafael Melgar at Calle 11, tel. 987/872-1537, www.1punto5.com, 9 p.m.–5 a.m. Thurs.–Sat.) is a hip lounge bar overlooking the Caribbean. It has low couches and chairs, outdoor decks, and house music playing in the background. Specialty shooters are the way to go, though the premium martinis pack a punch.

Another lounge on the Caribbean, Room Service (Av. Rafael Melgar s/n, facing Punta Langosta mall, tel. 987/869-2868, www.roomservicebar.com, 8 p.m.–4 a.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m.–5 a.m. Fri.–Sat.) is spread out over three floors, with DJs spinning tunes four nights a week. The first two levels are dedicated to pop music, the top floor electronic. Get here after midnight when the place is really going.

The world’s smallest Hard Rock Café (Av. Rafael Melgar near Av. Benito Juárez, tel. 987/872-5271, www.hardrock.com, 10 a.m.–1 a.m. daily) has ocean views during the day and live music starting at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The food is unremarkable—stick to drinks—and if you’re still collecting them, T-shirts are sold at the boutique up front.

For a spring break atmosphere all day (and all year) long, head to the Punta Langosta shopping center, where Carlos ’n Charlie’s (tel. 987/869-1647, www.carlosn-charlies.com, 10 a.m.–1:30 a.m. Mon.–Fri., 11 a.m.–1:30 a.m. Sat., 5 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Sun.) and Señor Frog’s (tel. 987/869-1650, www.senorfrogs.com/cozumel, 10 a.m.–1 a.m. daily) make driving beats, drink specials, and dancing on tables the norm.