The Best Oceanside Bars for Sundowner Cocktails in La Paz, Mexico

Sip a sundowner in the best waterfront bars.

Live music, cold drinks, and astounding views – if that’s why you sailed your yacht to La Paz, then Mariscos el Molinito won’t disappoint. Sundowners on the Malecón are only a few meters from Marina Palmira. The sunset is solid and the people-watching is just as entertaining in the afternoon hours. Sunday’s set the stage for live music – a perfect way to cap off a weekend on land before heading back to the Sea of Cortez.

TRIBU is indeed a bar and grill, but one look at the crowd and you’ll see that most guests are slanting toward the liquid side of the menu. That’s no slight to the food – just a testament to how amazing the drinks are. Sundowners, margaritas, mojitos, cervezas and more will have you tilt towards the cocktail list, as well. And if you happen to see a pink elephant as you stumble out onto the Malecón, don’t worry – it was there before your drink was.

Don’t assume that Cerveceria la Mexico is too focused on beers to mix a decent sundowner. On the contrary, you’ll find that their long list of cocktails is just as enjoyable as knocking back a glass of suds in full view of the Malecón and sea. You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that their wings, nachos and other munchies are just as satisfying for any sailor.

Leave it to the home of lip-ripping, rod-bending, world-class sport-fishing to have a seashore bar just as superb. You’ll slide into a seat and stare down water views while other anglers and sailors celebrate finally catching the “big one”. Raise your sundowner to cheer the victorious rodman and don’t be surprised if you’re reeled into a round of shots as the fisher loosens up his line.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner any time is good to dock your yacht in Marina Cortez and grab a drink at Anzuelo Cocina del Mar. Join other luxurious boat owners and tables of tourists for a sundowner overlooking the bay. The sun likes to take its time crawling across the sky – settle in for the show with a plate of quesadillas del mar in tow.

You don’t have to venture too far from the water to down a sundowner in La Paz. The Dock Cafe is so close to Marina La Paz that your table may be closer to touching the sea than touching the bar. Grand mariner, cognac and juice join a host of whiskies, brandies, rums and tequilas to mix up nearly any cocktail imaginable – including the old reliable Bloody Mary and refreshing Vampiro.

Mexican craft beer and crazy pizza combinations are the alluring menu items that drive a young crowd to Baja Bonita. Don’t feel like you’re stuck sitting among artisanal pies and ports – you’ll find old sailing buddies like Tom Collins and Captain Morgan are hanging out at the bar just as much. Drink whatever makes you happy – be it a sundowner or a mezcal cocktail – as long as you’re toasting to a fun night on land and a safe morning at sea.

La Paz isn’t without a stocked selection of beachside bars, but if you’re trying to grab dinner at one of the most popular restaurants on the Malecón: Bismarkcito is the one. Tourists are always raving about how great the house-made margaritas are and other classic cocktails like sundowners, piña coladas and mojitos will hit the spot. We recommend ordering according to your dinner choice. Take our top pick, for example – the prawn rancheros with a vodka sangria.

Who sails all the way to La Paz for Italian food? Only those who know that SeaSide Mediterranean is a fantastic beachside bar to watch the sunset from. After a day frolicking on the sunkissed Playa El Caimancito, step through the sand and directly to SeaSide’s bar. If not a sundowner, a Sunset Margarita sounds about right – mixed with tequila, damiana and orange or lemon juice. Need something a bit sunnier? A gin-laden Pink Sunrise or a Sunshine Sea Side will send rays of sunshine right to your glass.

Sail into these stellar bars on a yacht.

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