Baja California Bars & Nightlife

The drive up the long, winding dirt track to Flora Farms can be discombobulating. You’ll repeatedly look at your GPS, wondering whether this really is the right road. It is. And the bumpy drive is worth it. First, order the bloody Mary—a masterpiece of a drink in which the garnishes could make up a meal. Then indulge in one of their sticky buns, with crunchy caramelized walnuts, and afterward, walk over to El Wine Bar y Café. The small space is impeccably kitted out. Aside from their wide selection of Mexican and Napa Valley wines (there are dozens of options by the glass), their coffee is easily the smoothest cup in Los Cabos. We couldn’t help but purchase a few bags of beans to take home, plus a few of their delicate cups to sip from.

About five miles outside town, down a rocky track, the Green Room is one of those whispered spots the folks in town don't want the tourists to find. It’s perched on the edge of an empty beach. One of our favorite things to do is sit with our legs propped up on a stool with an icy Pacifico in hand. At night, the place fills up with a lively crowd so get there early, snag a table, and get your tuna tostito order in before the sun starts to dip.

If you're looking for a rowdier night out without going full-on "spring break," Bar Esquina's Moroccan-inspired outdoor terrace—complete with nightly live music and a killer cocktail menu—is your best bet. It's the house restaurant at The Hotel Bahia in Cabo San Lucas, so even if you came to party, you've got a full menu of locally sourced small plates at your disposal. Come back for a potent espresso or a little hair of the dog the morning after.

The Cape's head bartender, Osvaldo Vazquez, has won numerous awards for his mixology skills. The Glass Box bar juts out from the rest of the hotel for a sort of floating effect (it was designed by architect Javier Sanchez to offer uninterrupted views of the Sea of Cortez and El Arco and is the perfect setting to explore Osvaldo's ever-changing cocktail program. He's also an expert on tequila and the up-and-coming Mezcal culture—fellow connoisseurs will get a kick out of a private tasting with the man himself.

The rooftop at this designy hotel looks like something out of a fairytale: flowering plants, hidden nooks, an actual stream, and a trellised beer garden in addition to a bar. Once a month, the hotel flies in a celebrity DJ for an all-out dance party. All that said, it's the panoramic views that reach as far as the marina and El Arco that are the real draw.

Cervecería Rámuri is official evidence that the craft brew movement has made it South of the border. A partnership between a Mexico City-based microbrewery and long-time Los Cabos restauranteur, the decidedly raucous spot offers a lot more than Corona. In addition to a full on-site microbrewery (beer nerds can take a full tour), there is an enormous roof complete with plenty of flat screen TVs for watching whatever soccer match is inevitably on.