Comedy, cabaret and shows is what this Zona Rosa (Red Light District) bar offers the LGBT community. It’s a spot that’s more interactive than most other places in the area that can be summed up as bundles of pop music and cheap drinks.
There’s a white gate on Amberes street and, although it’s a little hard to find since there aren’t many lights illuminating the place, it’s worth the hunt. The place is in an old Porfirian-era mansion that houses Youkali Cabaret of the Cabaretito group.
Unlike affiliates, Cabarétito Fusión and Cabarétito Neón, Youkali is chill and devoid of loud music. Instead, there’s an intimate vibe in this all-red (like any cabaret worth its salt) venue. The high and low tables with armchairs are strategically arranged so that no one misses a beat of what happens onstage, which incidentally also has good lighting. There are also two bars and a smoking area but, none of them have good views of the stage.
Most of the shows are short (less than 30 minutes) and mix comedy, Mexican mischief, music, and double-entendres, of course. There are one or two daily shows with varying themes. But, the real star of the show is the crowd’s interaction with the performers. On more than one occasion there was a range of nervous laughter to outright hilarity.
If you want to consume alcohol, you’re going to have to order food. It’s a rule that we didn’t particularly like, but it’s a rule nonetheless. We liked the spicy wings and felt they were a great complement to the drinks – which are priced anywhere from 25 MXN for a beer to 1,500 MXN for a bottle of cognac. There’s no cover either, but they will ask for tips for the performers at the end of each show.
This isn’t your typical I-guess-I’ll-go-there-again spot. It’s a perfect combination of fun vibes and good drinks and the crowd is nice and diverse.