Guanajuato is a city that shines for its art, culture, history, and New Spain architecture, but also for its leisure venues, such as its historic cantinas.
In fact, the city still preserves some of its oldest cantinas, which have seen the passing of generations of customers. Therefore, these spaces have become time capsules and a symbol of the city’s identity.
Discover these 5 historic cantinas, which are a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the city of Guanajuato.
- La Selva Cantina
Located in the Pastita neighborhood, La Selva Cantina is one of the oldest in the capital. Although its exact founding date is unknown, its history dates back to the mid- and early 20th century.
La Selva preserves the details of a 20th-century cantina, with tables and chairs for guests, a polished wooden bar with chairs and a footrest. The space is also decorated with a stone fountain in front of the cantina and dim lighting.
The place is popular with older visitors, loyal customers of this iconic spot that stands the test of time and history. The dark red walls feature photographs of the old city of Guanajuato, taking guests on a journey back in time.
Although La Selva is open 7 days a week, it has varied hours. It is open Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Pasita Street 106, Pastita, 36090 Guanajuato, Gto.
- Bar Luna
Located on a corner of Jardín la Unión, one of the most popular spots for tourists and locals in Guanajuato’s historic center, Bar Luna appears to be a modern bar that also offers a wide menu of lunch, dinner, and breakfast.
Bar Luna has been around for a long time—in fact, longer than people remember. There are records that this place has operated as a bar or cantina since the mid-1880s, during the Porfiriato era. However, the place has been managed by different owners, so it has been difficult to establish a specific year of its founding.
However, the place claims to have been a cantina where the famous singer José Alfredo Jíménez composed the song “El Rey” back in the 1960s. Although this story seems to be just a myth, Bar Luna remains one of the oldest and most popular bars in the city.
Currently, the location is perhaps the most up-to-date in terms of its menu, drink types, and design, which has been adapted to accommodate customers of all ages. It’s also a prime location in the Jardín la Unión area, where mariachis and norteños will perform to delight its clientele.
Jardín de la Unión 10, Zona Centro, Guanajuato, Gto.
- La Cantina Norteña Salón de la fama 1950
In front of Jardín de Embajadoras, on the side closest to Pastita, is the “La Norteña Salón de la fama 1950” cantina, whose façade highlights its nearly 75 years of history.
This cantina is located very close to the Aguilar y Maya baseball stadium, and both places have a passion for baseball in common.
The walls of the Norteña Hall of Fame, 1950, are framed with photos of baseball games in the city, featuring the biggest stars of Mexican baseball. Occasionally, this is where current baseball games are watched, making this bar a space dedicated to the city’s baseball fans.
Furthermore, despite having been modernized, the place still retains some of its mid-20th-century essence, characterized by its bar furniture, a wooden bar, a footrest, and the corresponding spittoon.
This bar is open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 a.m.
Paseo Madero 20, Zona Centro, Guanajuato, Gto.
- The Famous Bar Incendio
Although the cantina of the Famous Bar Incendio (FBI) has been closed since 2019 at its original location,
The cantina was perhaps the most famous in Guanajuato. Its wooden bar, footrest, spittoon, urinals on the side of the bar, jukebox, and walls painted by Juan Villalpando turned the place into a place where everyone from young people, women, and men of middle age to senior citizens would come to this famous cantina.
With a Mexican ranchera and norteña atmosphere, even José Alfredo Jiménez was a regular at this cantina. The place offered its famous mezcals, tequilas, beers, and snacks from very early in the morning.
The cantina was officially founded in 1919 by Hermenegildo Aguayo and was originally a grocery store. However, over time, it became a popular cantina in the city. It survived the test of time, only to be slowed down by the irregularities that arose in 2019 due to disputes and mismanagement at the establishment.
Cantarranas 15, Zona Centro, Guanajuato, Gto.
- La Cubana
If you head towards Embajadoras from Sangre de Cristo Street in the city center, and before reaching Embajadoras, you will most likely come across the bridge that cuts under the Belauzarán Street subway.
The establishment boasts 88 years of history, so it is believed to have been established in 1937. It is a cantina throughout its entire facade, preserving the cantina furnishings, the wooden bar, and the footrest. The tables and chairs surrounding it, along with its framed paintings of historic corners of the city, transport customers to another era.
In this case, La Cubana is decorated with old photographs of Guanajuato buildings and streets, including Pocitos Street, the Underground Street, the Juárez Theater, La Normal, and La Presa de la Olla.
In addition, it features objects and photographs of common Guanajuato cultural activities, such as bullfighting, mining, and other activities.
La Cubana is open Monday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. It’s worth noting that this place is primarily frequented by middle-aged and older adults.
Sangre de Cristo 44 B, Zona Centro, 36000 Guanajuato, Gto.
Source: periodicocorrero
