Every good gay bar, minus the guesswork.

Zona Rosa, Calle Amberes · Calle Amberes 1, Juárez

Three floors in one building: a cantina on the ground floor, a glass-walled karaoke bar upstairs and a rooftop looking toward Reforma. It's packed with a young crowd Thursday to Saturday, so come before 1 a.m. to avoid the list.

Zona Rosa, Calle Florencia · Florencia 37-B, Juárez

One of Zona Rosa's longest-running gay bars, with drag, comedy and DJ sets, affordable drinks and lots of regulars in their 35-plus years. A comfortable place to settle in for the evening.

Zona Rosa, Calle Amberes · Calle Amberes 18, Juárez

A no-cover corner bar with a streetside patio that's more for chatting and people-watching than dancing, with drag or live singers on some nights. Opens mid-afternoon, so it works well for an early drink; check your tab before paying.

Zona Rosa, Calle Florencia · Florencia 35, Juárez

A two-story cowboy-themed cantina with banda, norteño and ranchera nights, plus midweek karaoke and drag. Low-key and mostly local, behind a storefront with barely a sign.

Zona Rosa, Calle Londres · Londres 182, Juárez

The city's bear bar, started by the BearMex community, with upbeat DJs and karaoke on Fridays. Busiest Thursday to Saturday after 10.

Centro Histórico · República de Cuba 18, Centro

A campy, cash-only salón downtown where Latin pop and '80s hits fill a small dance floor and drag shows start around midnight. Worth the short cab ride from Zona Rosa on a Friday or Saturday.