
Jimena took me to one of these pars that you will never find by yourself as a tourist… even if mentioned in a guide book, you’ll probably overlook it and not put it on your list.
That’s why I love slow traveling and meeting the locals. They bring you to the spots!
La Perla is a small bar, with a few tables and a stage in the middle… at night, they stage a kind of drag show, with some of Mexico City’s renowned female impersonators. It’s less strictly Drag than a sort of cabaret.
Since 1946, the bar has been running. You need to be there before 10 pm in order to get a table. The crowd: pretty mixed, and lots of locals. I don’t think there were many tourists here.
The first show had international tunes, from Girls just wanna have fun, to Material Girl and Cher’s Believe…
Then the dance floor was open for some Mexican hits, mostly from the 80s, that were cheered frantically. At 1 am, another round, this time strictly Mexican Music, the biggest hits, and the crowd went wild.
We left soon after, as it seemed they would not play Jimena’s favorite, Macarena.
It’s a fun place. Don’t expect a totally professional sow. sometimes it seems the Drag queen din’t know the song much at all….
But if you’re looking for a bar with true local Mexican ambiance, where groups of friends go at night to have fun, it’s well worth a visit.