La Negrita Cantina

Very fun lively atmosphere, live Cuban band. The music great, somewhat crowded but people had no problem creating space to dance. Wasn't able to have food or drinks as we had to wait outside in line and by the time we entered the kitchen was closed. So if going on a Friday get there before 8 pm to enjoy the full experience.

Very fun lively atmosphere with a live band. The music great (and local) Was given complimentary chips at the beginning. We also ordered nachos with pollo (chicken) - massive portion! It was a Friday and we were there around 7:45 onwards but it was busy!! Online menu is extensive and it reached via a QR code. Only negative point is that the cocktails are super watered down and sugary - Probably why many tables were ordering just beer.

This is easily one of the most fun bars I have ever been to, and I have been to a lot all over the world. Simply amazing atmosphere. Can get pretty crowded, but isn’t that what you want? Locals, expats, tourists, all here. Go here and thank me later.

Loved the live music and huge drinks. Electric Lemonade was so good. The snacks delivered to the table were a nice touch. Very happy with the service.. the place was very very full and we were always helped in a timely manner.

Had really high hopes as the reviews were good. I arrived and had a few tables to choose from, but I was happy to get a table to listen to the band. It did take me awhile to flag down a waiter for a drink, I got a margarita. Getting it took about 15 minutes- seemed like the tables who were reordering drinks ordered and got severed before I even got my drink. Atmosphere was great! Loved the live music. I noticed locals and tourists there so you get the best of both worlds. I didn't have any food so I can't review on that. My margarita wasn't strong at all. But still nice and refreshing. When asking for my bill, again took awhile. I gave exact change and then my waiter asked where his tip was. I've traveled mexico MANY times, and I know it's not mandatory and I do tip if my service is great. I didn't feel the need too as the service was mehh, he was not happy. He even came back again to ask why no tip- which left a very sour taste in my mouth. Don't think I'll go back, so just beware!

When everywhere else is a ghost-town, La Negrita is packed. This cantina has been keeping patrons happy since 1917. It is definitely a must-visit joint in Merida. (Not only because of the 900ml jam-jar draughts for MXN100.) The atmosphere of laughter and happy chatter is almost as intoxicating as the mezcal. This is a place where people come if they are in the mood for fun.

My wife and I really enjoyed our visit to la negrita. With live music and spicy cocktails we decided to get some foot and stay for longer then we were planning on. So why the 2 star review? In my home country tipping is not mandatory. In Mexico this seems to be neither. But some places are forceful. Our waiter demanded at least 10% and this left us with a bit of a bad taste. If you don't mind this, definitely go. I won't be doing back. Edit: if you so want to address this problem, then speak to the guy in the red cap

We went on a Thursday night. They had live music that added to a hype atmosphere. They bring out botanas. We ordered a bucket of artisanal beer and a piña colada. The piña colada was was a little light but maybe I just like mine strong. The bucket of artisanal beer came with a “snack” which were nachos and it was plenty to feed 3 people. Definitely worth going

An uplifting cultural experience for USA tourists. The live band was purely Mexican, and the rock pop music was cool, and they granted patrons out of their tables to join the band on stage and sing. Karaoke meets live band! Wonderful huge iced Margaritas!

I loved this place! The music and ambiance were so colorful and lively. The service was quick and friendly and the food was tasty! I got a mezcal flight and it was amazing. Definitely recommend!

A MUST GO when in Merida. Live music, good food, super yummy tasty drinks and you can even order JUMBO drinks (per my mojito photo) This was so much fun. We came here our last night and the vibes were just so great. Musicians and Employees are super friendly too!!! They have a million fans everywhere but it did nothing with the heat so be prepared!

Definitely a tourist place. We visited last trip as well as current trip. The live music was excellent. The drinks were expensive & super weak. Ordered shots to add to our "mocktails" & still weak. Very odd. ORDER BEER instead of mixed drinks. Service was good. No AC -it was 103 degrees with a couple fans on. Several fans not operating.

This place was a great bar with live music. The tapas just kept coming as we drank delicious drinks. It's a must if your staying in Merida.

This place is great for fun groups. The music tonight was awesome, Miriam is amazing. Lots of wait staff, very accommodating and friendly. Ordered a mojito and it was flavorful and extremely large. I would def return. They serve botanas, small appetizers, to your table for free if you're eating or drinking, that was a bonus as we didn't order food, only drinks. It can get extremely loud, not a place for intimate conversations.

Heard about this place and the free snacks they provide with a drink purchase so we had to check out. As we enter the front door the inside is empty, where's all the people? This is supposed to be a popular spot.. and then you get to the back courtyard area and there are all the people. This place was packed and lively. We ordered beers and the famed snacks showed up shortly after (see picture). Chips with eight bowls of snacks. There was spicy peanuts, chicharrones, beans, salsa, marinated octopus, marinated beets, and other things I could not identify. Service was great. The drinks looked fantastic too, served up in big mason jars! The snacks are not free, when we got the check there was a three peso surcharge per person (but that's like 15 cents!) All in all a great place with a great vibe!

Perfecto y delicioso, con atmósfera muy relajado y divertido. Nos divertimos mucho. Servicio muy bien

I stopped in this place for a couple of cocktails after a good two hour walk around the city. The bartender was very cool and suggested to me some new and tasty mezcals. I didn't try any food and didn't get to experience the live music in the evenings but I sense this place is one of the places to be on a good night. I will return to try some food which if the food is just as good as the drinks the.it will make this place 5 star.

I was a little disappointed given the many positive reviews. The drinks, while large, pretty weak. The snacks, while free are cold and relatively unappetizing. The vibe is pretty cool and festive. I bet it's a fun scene for music at night. If I had stuck to beer and skipped the food it'd be an alright spot.

Down the street from our Airbnb. When in Mexico try the cantinas, we are glad we went. Had a mezcal sample, it came with chapulines and orange slices with spicy salt. We prefer the lime with our mezcal. Pedro very attentive, will be back to listen to live music, 6-9pm. Nice vibe, busy place at noon.

We visited a month ago. This bar was so much fun. Live music, locals, tourists, everyone really loud and muy divertido! We had great drinks, some free snacks, and some purchased snacks. Highly recommend you go here!

THIS IS YOUR ONE SPOT STOP IN MERIDA! If you want some amazing local music, good food, and great vibes, definitely stop by la negrita cantina. I actually stumbled upon this spot randomly and was really surprised to see the music set up and entire restaurant in the back. The bar food is great, music is even better, and it's great to see so many locals and tourists mingling here.

Our waiter was super rude . Me and my dad decided to go sit at the back of the restaurant where there was literally no one there. Being that it is out doors and very hot , I wanted to sit near a fan . The only one that was blowing towards our direction was the one at the 8 top so as we sat down the waiter comes up and tells us to move to another table being that there was only two of us .So we asked if he can change the direction of the fan so that we can at least get some sort of air blowing our way .. He barely moved it and walked away . He never came back to check on us to see if we needed anything else . We had to ask other people for apps and more beer which was absolutely ridiculous!!. I wish I would I've gotten his name ...Not a good experience for me being that it was my 1st time going there.

I absolutely LOVED this gem! Walking into this bar reminds me of the local bar scenes in Havana, Cuba. This is also the only bar I've ever been to where they had a door man checking IDs before walking into the bar. Upon entry, it looks like a simple 10-20 person bar, but as you walk further down, you'll see there are ample amounts of seating, a live band, and even an outdoor space with a tree right in the center! This is a place typically visited by locals and ex-pats, but because of Yelp, I was able to experience this place firsthand! The tables are first come, first served - so be cautious of this as this place can get packed. Once you've found a seat and you'll be greeted by one of the staff and given free appetizers! SCORE! Their drinks are LARGE for extremely great prices, so be sure to spend at least an hour or two here! I wasn't a fan of cochinita pibil until I visited this place. Now, if I ever make it back to Merida, this is the only place I'll get cochinita pibil! Definitely a must-visit when in Merida!

Visiting Merida during COVID-19, we weren't sure if we'd be able to go out for drinks or hear live music. We had seen lots of people recommending La Negrita and were glad to see they were open. We arrived to see doors clearly marked as Entrance Only and Exit Only, a man at the door making a list and limiting access and seating. When our name was called, we stepped onto the sanitizing mats, had our temperature taken, and were given hand sanitizer. I was asked to log my name, temperature, and phone number in their journal. We have only been dining outside and specifically asked for an outside table, which was accommodated. The garden is huge, tables were spread out and with a line outside kept some tables empty. Our server brought us a QR code to scan for a menu. They then brought us a small bowl of chips and individual dishes of Refried Beans, Pumpkin Seed Dip, and Salsa. We started with a Trio of Mezcal - the Nivel Intermedio (240pesos) with Nuestra Soledad Matatlan, Nuestra Soledad Zoquitlan, and Nuestra Soledad San Louis Del Rio. They were accompanied by Orange wedges, Chili Salt, and Chapulines (grasshoppers). Being novices to Mezcal, we found them really smokey and definitely something you ship rather drink as shots. The grasshoppers were a snack we had wanted to try and found them a little tough and very smokey. I also had a Mezcal Cocktail - the Sunrise, a mix of Mezcal and Orange Juice. I opted for the 400ml side (70 pesos) in a large mason jar with a Spicy Chili rim. My husband went for a Frozen Margarita with Mezcal in the 400 ml size (100 pesos). Both were very strong, with great flavor, and huge for the price. We also ordered a plate of the Nachos con Arrachera (150 pesos). It was a big oval plate stacked with Fried Tortilla Chips layered with lots of Cheese, Crema, Guacamole, and tons of grilled slivers of Beef. The live band was great, loud enough to enjoy, but we could still have a conversation. We can't wait to come back on our next visit to Merida. Here are the approximate costs of everything in US dollars at the time of our visit. Trio of Mezcal - Nivel Intermedio: $11.95 The Sunrise: $3.49 Frozen Margarita with Mezcal: $4.98 Nachos con Arrachera: $7.47

Good location and nice place to chill. Outdoor was nice on a cool night but not sure if it'll b comfortable on a hot night. Had a special with cocktails and appetizers combo and was a good deal! Not too pricy. Waiter recommended Mezcaleros similar to tequila and my hubby enjoyed it. They had a great singer and a band perform. She sang salsa, Mexican pop, cumbia. Really enjoyed it. Will come back.

Very interesting bar very friendly to noisy. They must visit for a hour or less. Very crowded if you have time it's a visit if not, don't waste your time.

We had friends in from the states and wanted to give them a cantina experience. We had reservations for a table for four on a Sunday afternoon. We got there before they had music that day. It was quite crowded with a lot of local families. We ordered beers and margaritas. The beers were very cold and the women enjoyed the margaritas. Our server was very good and attentive to our table. The place had a good vibe and we plan to go when they have music.

I enjoyed the live music, the reggaetón after the live music and the mojitos. I would come back, but I wouldn't recommend if someone is really hungry. The service is a tad slow, but! It's a lively atmosphere. I will have to bring my friends here when they come to visit for a good time. Not the best place to be for a solo travelers, dates..better for groups and bachelorette/bachelor and even bday night time entertainment.

accidentally fell into this place while visiting during Day of the Dead......felt transported! We were the only gringos in the place and we were made to feel very welcome! Place was packed at 3 pm.....drinks are automatically served in ONE QUART mason jars ( you can ask for a smaller version ) Tapas brought to the table were fabulous! Great introduction to Merida.....had to go back before we left! Loved it!

Waiter was rude. We saw many people leave within minutes of arriving which should have been a clue. Food was pretty good. Had to listen to music blasting while band warmed up which the band warming up would have been much better. It looks like it could be a fun place. Within 12 hours of eating and drinking the wife came down with Montezuma's revenge that we traced to this spot and their margarita, most likely from contaminated ice. Use caution regarding drinks that would use ice.

If I could give a zero, I would. Our waiter was beyond awful. Bitter, angry, impatient and just horrible. Didn't check on us once. There are plenty of places to go with better servers. Don't spoil your evening. Go elsewhere.

While doing a tour of cenotes, our guide recommended that we check out this place before leaving Merida--and he was correct! If you are looking for a high energy place with cheap eats then look no further. If they offer you a seat in the bar, make sure you tell them you want to be by the dancing. There is a tree growing in the middle of this Cantina, and it just has magical vibes (there's probably a cenote under there). When my sister and I visited, we enjoyed the live music, the people dancing and our gigantic plate of Nachos which costed us less than $5 USD. Be prepared for it to be pretty busy (we were there around 7pm on a Tuesday and it was packed) and be open to sharing a table with strangers. Community vibes here!

Love this place! Just arrived in Merida and we are off to a great start! It's our first time staying in the centro area- within walking distance you find a plethora of eateries- This place looked like one of my dad's cantinas but it was very different inside- Service is amazing, very attentive staff catering to requests! Food is good but the drinks take the price- there house beers are smooth, with a pale ale flavor to it/ my wife had the electric blue mezcal drink and she enjoyed the cool factor in this humid climate- You are somewhat transported to a different time period (bar has been here since 1917)- A must stop!!!

This place was POPPIN. It looks small and unassuming from the outside but when you enter you realize you are at the most popular bar in town. It aesthetic pays heavy heavy homage to cuba. There is a small bar up front followed by an indoor seating area of about 30, then their is a HUGE outdoor space with a stage for live music which they have every night. I heard its packed every night (I went on a Friday evening) and it makes sense. There were people there playing cards, dancing, just having a good time anyway they liked. The drinks are cheap $50-$100 pesos and so is the food. Its not much of a food menu tbh. Just some sustenance like tacos, ceviche, wings, etc. I got the ceviche which wasnt bad and a big portion for only $55 pesos. My gf got the asado tacos which were about average for Merida. We were only gonna stay for an hour so we could catch the pok ta pok game but we ended up completely missing that. We stayed and drank and chatted with locals.

Best bar to hang out in Merida! We were in Merida for three days and out bar hopping every afternoon and evening. Hands down this place has the best atmosphere of any place in Merida. AND - the staff is very cool and attentive (unlike a LOT of places in Mexico) The host was friendly, got us a spot at the bar while he found us a table. The service while we were at the table was great. Mexican bar in Merida, Cuban band playing and the place is filled with some local but mostly people visiting. The only downside - the food sucks. Really bad. So don't eat here, go for the drinks.

Staff is amazing. Drinks are delicious, and so is the food. We had the aracherro nachos and the wings they are bomb! The place is so cool and relaxed during the day and at night there's live music and is super fun. Recommend. It was one of our favorite spots when we came down to visit.

The location is nice but only for drinking. The food wasn't good and not everything was fresh made. Also the waiters aren't really friendly. I ate better Mexican food.

Great small bar with a small selection of tasty food items. We enjoyed chips, salsa and tacos, and when my companion found he just didn't like the mole sauce on his enchiladas (it was too rich for him), the bartender was happy to bring him a new dish more to his liking. Very friendly service and the bartenders spoke a bit of English and were accommodating. The prices are reasonable here as well. Please note this place looks like a dump from the street but the bar area and the courtyard in the rear is very nice and comfortable and clean.

Look very carefully at your bill. And count your change closely. Twice I've found items on the bill that weren't ordered. Another time I gave the waiter a $500 peso note for a $180 peso tab and he gave me back $20 pesos and wordlessly disappeared. I chased him down and reminded him he owed me change for the $500 peso bill. He rolled his eyes like he knew I caught him and grunting gave me back the correct change. Food is merely ok. Place is always filled. Go figure. Go someplace else

Be careful when ordering they may charge you extra. They'll will fix it with no problem but after one to many you may not notice the extra charge. I order three 19 pesos Ámbar and I was charge for three Heineken. They fix it with no problem but just be on the look out.

Awesome atmosphere to have some snacks and drinks. Absolutely loved trying the mezcal with the crickets but if bugs aren't your thing the have a pretty good menu for a little something for everyone including a good selection of local beers

Visited this cantina while on vacation. They have a great selection of beers, food, and mezcal. They're tapas style selections are amazing. I enjoyed their negrita cerveza was delicious, and they also have a good selection of craft beers.

Great little hole in the wall bar, mixed with locals and ex-pats. Great beer selection. Had fantastic margaritas. During happy hour they offer the best free snacks!

What a great place! We had an excellent mezcal tasting here and the bartender not only gave us a quick lesson on choosing mezcals - he was also friendly and funny. The atmosphere is superbly cool with a mix of Mexican and Cuban vibes. A live band performed some great hits of Celia Cruz. I only wish they had more vegetarian bar snacks. We had the guacamole, which was nothing special.

Cool bar, would be worth five stars were it not for.... a) It closes really early (like 9:30pm at the weekend) b) I never once managed to get a seat in there, it was always full It's famous, if you are in town you probably won't miss it

Great vibe, lots of locals, love music, amazing food.. the combination (6) was so good, also quesadillas de pollo, I got the grapefruit with red wine cocktail and was so fresh and good. Friday night a band was playing great music and lots of people were dancing, great spot, little warm but you get used to it

One cannot miss La Negrita Cantina, because even if you are 2 blocks away from this bar, you can hear the music from the bar, loud and clear. We got seated immediately, and ordered tamales and something like enchiladas. Both these dishes were fabulous. For drinks, we had pina coladas and mojito, both were fab. Pina coladas, especially is a must-try here. Service is very very good. Food and drinks are great. If you like bar atmosphere with loud music, you will love this place. They had live music. For me personally, the music was TOO loud for my taste, without being able to have a conversation. But this place is still a 5-star for me.

Just go. Cheapest beers in town, great service, progressive vibe, open to all. Diversity! For Locals, tourists and expats alike.

Pedro at the front door was a real jerk amd super rude. The general feel of the joint was "we are busy so we will treat you how we want". We ordered 2 cheladas with ceviche. The ceviche was outstanding but couldn't drown the nasty customer service vibe. I wouldn't go back no matter how many videos Cheyenne shoots there smh.

Amazing staff, great drinks and a cool vibe. As Ong as you're drinking the food keeps coming so don't go crazy ordering off the menu!

We went here for dinner on our first night in Merida. The place was popping with live music and customers. Lots of couples on dates and friends drinking away. We actually got seated very quick and enjoyed the complimentary snacks they brought out, which includes popcorn drizzled with hot sauce(so good I even do it at home now) and some spicy pineapple chunks. Throughout the service, they actually bring out different snacks here and there which is great when you're having drinks. My boyfriend got the pork tacos and I had the cheese quesadilla(I'm a pescatarian and the menu was very limited to vegetarian or seafood options). The quesadilla was good but half way through it got kind of boring even after mixing it up with the sauces. Ceviche was good though, highly recommend it. We also went during happy hour so 2 for 1 cocktails...oh yeah!

Awesome Bar and snacks. Live Music and staff are great! When visiting Merida this a Must stop !

A favorite since I arrived in Mérida. As far as the food goes, I've only had the quesadillas. I mostly frequent the bar. ;) A+ on atmosphere!! The restaurant is made up of a half dozen or so rooms, which makes for a cozy and more intimate atmosphere. The service staff is attentive and friendly. The Cantina is situated in a corner where the roads cross; there you'll find a direct entrance to the Cantina. There is seating at the bar as well as smallish tables, good for seating a small party. Monday: 2 for1 Mojítos Tuesday: 2 for1 Margaritas

A surprise within. From the street it appears as a bar but once you enter and going back you travel thru small rooms of cozy tables becoming entering into the grand room in the back with a stage for live music, bar, plenty of tables and it's all outdoors. It was amazing walking thru this eclectically decorated bar. So many young hip people who come here to drink and eat. Unfortunately, I got here too late and the kitchen was closed but their craft beer we tried was delicious and at least, they had free snacks to hold me over! I will definitely come back earlier for more festivities!

First off, got food poisoning from something. We had a nasty platter with 5 small dishes and some stale bread... then the piña colada was terrible and it tasted like nothing. Atmosphere was decent at best. It ruined a day of my trip while I was sick in the bathroom

Great experience. Friendly staff. Drinks are strong and a good value. Had a chicken quesadilla.. yummy. Enjoyable place to relax with friends. Nice vibe and tranquil patio. A good choice in centro Merida.....

We came here around 3pm hungry and looking to escape the afternoon heat. I ordered chicken quesadillas which were great, and it was 2 for 1 mojitos and it was the best mojito I've ever had. They brought tons of adventurous and delicious small plates around for free to enjoy with the drinks. Great atmosphere and huge patio.