-
Fun & Funky Night Clubs!
Cancun, Mexico:
1) Cogo Bongo – (2/2023 Update) STILL my favorite Nightclub, globally, Coco Bongo is a DO NOT MISS for Your Cancun visit. Go early by 8 pm to get in before the line, and go to the information booth and ask for Jorge Salinas, Manager. Coco Bongo is still the BEST Show in town, post-Covid; it’s still a fabulous Multi-media Mayhem! It’s a non-stop Celebration, where Vegas Showtime meets the top Dance Party, this oarty Show house and a variety of Favorite Dance hits, with more then 40 artists and flying acrobats…with the scene changing every few minutes – with one event better and more fun then the next! Enjoyed my 5th visit to CB with my my good friend Debbie, and she absolutely loved it! Again, I got the VIP treatment – the best seats, drinks provided and the best attentive service. Jorge and the Servers took great care of us; and attended to our every need once inside. They have their operation tight! The shows are ALWAYS amazing and such fun! Each time I am there, new shows are presented. On my third visit – and EVERY time I was asked to dance on the big stage – SO Much Fun!
It is a night to remember! You’ll be up and out of your seats jamming to the various types of music from the 30’s thru to Hip Hop, as well to the fabulous impersonators of Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Elvis, Madonna and more — from stage shows, flying people, various balloons, light sticks, confetti and other things flying down from the ceiling – you want to get there early to avoid lines and get a great seat. You won’t be able to leave until the last act! Thanks to our great waiter, Victor who took wonderful care of us in VIP. See some of the pics below — go to the PR- VIP booth – www.CocoBongo.com.mx; sales@cocobongo.com.mx;
Ask for the incredible Manager – Jorge Salinas, (52) 998-396-1801 and mention Riana & Romance International Sent you. Hotel Zone, Blvd Kukulcan Km 9.5, Plaza Forum, Cancun Mexico. Rating (5+/5)
2) D’Cave (formerly DadyO) Night Club – (Update 2/2023) A Cancun legend; a club that feels like your in a big cave, DadyO and it’s Floor manager Marcelo Vazquez, gave my friend Debbi & I the Royal Treatment! VIP seating, drinks on the house, and the nicest, most attentive wait staff in the Nightclub zone of all of Cancun! This club just opened post-Covid, and it was packed. ALL ages fit in and feel fabulous in here at their nonstop dance party! More intimate than the larger nightclubs. Incredible music and cool, sexy lighting, this club attracts the young, sexy, jet-set. Manager: Ask for Marchelo – the Manager with all the connections! Tell him Riana & Romance International sent you!; Blvd. Kukulcon Km 9.5, Hotel Zone, Cancun Ph: 52-998-848-8385; www.dadyo.com; Rating (5/5)
- 3) Mandala Beach Club, located in the Club Zone of Cancun – 62 Hotel Zone, Blvd Kukulcan Km 9.5; Ph: 998-225-0965 Ask for Lina – PR Rep – tell her Riana & Romance International sent you!
- I was so happy to get to this beach club on my Sept 2023 visit. Lina came to visit our “Transformation Vacation group” and we had a blast. Great DJ, food, service and comfy seating – the club is right on the beach so we had ocean access as well. Put on your hottest bikini and be sure to hit this fun and lively club with all the pretty people during the day hours!
- Also a nightclub and a huge pool! Come to this sexy, vibe Beach club that’s different from all others in the Club Zone. Many people choose to swim, but you don’t have to. at night, the lighting is awesome. During my first visit, Adrian Magana, General Manager took great care of us after we met him thru Marcelo, our favorite manager at D’Cave. We had the best seat in the house, and Raul Flores took great care of us with his staff at the table; including security. Great people watching! Popular with the younger set, but we liked it too! Definitely, include this Beach and nightclub in your Cancun party plans! (Rating 5/5)
4) Group Mandala – The Madness Tour – THREE in ONE Nightclub excursion. Thank you to Alan Arreguin Flores for sponsoring us to visit three of the newer Nightclubs I had not yet experienced. We went on Saturday night for a 1-hour visit per club. All these clubs are right near each other in the Cancun Club zone, so it’s an easy visit to each one. For tickets, see Liliana Hernandez, PR Manager OR Lina Gaus – Travel Agencies Manager – at the Madness Tour booth outside of Mandala Nightclub; order online at mandalaticketes.com for Open bar & VIP Tickets, or write Alan at reservasonline@grupomandala.com; ph: (998) 883-3333 X-115
5) Rakata – Angel/Manager; Raphael – Head of Security. Across from Coco Bongo; next to D’Cave. This is a new club and my first visit. I was warmly welcomed by Angel and we were protected and watched over by Raphael; very comforting. It is a smaller but really fun club; everyone was having a great time. Very attentive wait staff, great drinks, and a super experience. Do visit this one and ask for either of our fabulous attentive men! (4/5)
6) Coco Bongo Beach Club. Behind the Main Coco Bongo club, on the beach. Chase La Garde – Capitan. Ph: 624-174-9051; Email: chaser@cocobongobeach.club This was my first visit to the club before the Super Bowl game, so it was probably a slower day than usual. It had a huge pool, a generous seating area, and a raised stage for a DJ. Definitely a young, Miami crowd. But everyone was having fun, the music was awesome and non-stop. Didn’t have a chance to order food, this was a quick stop-in before the Super Bowl party we were invited to, but it is worth coming back. Volleyball on the beach below. For the young at heart; not families or sophisticated couples. (3.5/5) 
7) Abolengo Latin Night Club and Bar – located next to The City in the Club zone. Ask for Lina Gaus – The PR Rep; or Francisco the Manager. We were invited to a wonderful Super Bowl Party, the food and drinks were great, and we had wonderful service. Sorry to see the Eagles lost, but it was the perfect venue to watch the Big game! Thank you Lina and Francisco! I will be back to enjoy Latin night sometime soon! 
8) La Vaquita (The cow) (Update 2/2023) This was my second visit here, this time towards the end of my night out. It had a great crowd! The entire club has steps all the way up the center; which if more crowded and people got too drunk, could make it a dangerous situation; however it makes for easy viewing of everything – and everyone – below. We liked we could see outside to the street and the open air effect. I’m glad I gave it another shot this year – and I will be back. I rated it higher this year; just be comfortable with the steps! Ask for Captain Zeque Paredus Located across from Coco Bongo.(3.5/5)
b) Palazzo – This is a small dance club “in the round” inside, with an upper stage with Glow-light dancers which were cool. This is a definite local’s favorite. It was jammed, and Robin had a drink spilled down her back, so she left early. A group of my guy friends was there, and they were having a blast. Some of them complained it was too costly to get a table, $100 each for a VIP table for a group of them. The lighting and music were excellent, and the crowd really had a great time. This does cater to the younger locals and tourists, where DadyO and Coco Bongo people of all ages go and really seem to enjoy it. So for my young tourist referrals, go and have a great time. Weds is Red District Night at Palazzo. I tried to get a Manager’s name, but no one obliged it. You can mention Alan’s name and our travel group – Romance International Travel, and see what happens, but no guarantee. Call Alan (998) 883-3333 x-115 to be placed on guest list. Rating (4/5)
c) Mandala – Where this was empty early on, by the time I left Palazzo, it was busy and the crowd was having a great time. Busy – but not uncomfortable. It has a really nice light show and great music and was an indoor/outdoor club on the street – so the air felt amazing. Where Palazzo felt too jammed, this was comfortable, danceable, and all ages really liked it a lot. I’d come back here again; it was my favorite of the three. Very classy. Monday is Mardi Gras Night and Tues is Pool Party night. Sorry, Do not have a Manager’s name, try contacting Alan or Liliana 1-2 days prior to going to any of these 3 clubs) Rating (4/5).
5) The City Night Club/Cancun: The City was only open on Friday nights (We Own the Night theme) for this trip (9/2015) so I was disappointed not to be able to go and get a review. However, I was at The City on Mexico’s 200 years Independence Day on September 15th – so this review comes from that time. What a Celebration! It was nice to be included in the festivities! Ricardo our waiter was the best! This club has raised seating on either side and the main floor of seating (where we were). The dancing is on raised blocks – we chose to dance right at our seats. When we were there, The City After Party on Friday and Saturday features a Beach Club (Playa Cabana) that opens at 3 am – swimsuit or not, the pool and people are ready for you! Ask for Cesar Zermeno, Sales Manager at the door. Located at the Club zone on Kukulacan Blvd. Hotel Zone, Cancun. Ph: 848-8380 www.thecitycancun.com, and Playa Cabana www.PlayaCabana.com. I promise to get an updated review on my next trip to Cancun! (Prev to 2015 rating 4.5/5)
6) Congo Bar – We stumbled across this bar our first night in Cancun this trip – it was new to me – and hey – No Cover! It was a Weds night, and it was jammed and hopping! Weight staff was amazingly efficient and courteous and weaved their way excellently amongst the crowd. Early on, I figured out it was owned by Coco Bongo, as it had the same crazy, fun festival atmosphere with balloons and confetti that you just don’t see in the states. The dancing girls were beautiful and really into it – and the Host/MC kept the crowd dancing, and cheering – non-stop GREAT music! This is an indoor/outdoor bar right on the street, and we had a blast our first night out. You definitely have to go! Smaller club – large on fun! Rating (5/5)
7) Glow Party at Sr Frogs – We did not attend this because we heard it was super young and messy. Don’t take clothes you aren’t ok in destroying and throwing away after. I’m sure it’s a hoot if you’re into messy glow paints and a slippery mess – if you go, let me know your rating of the event! (Definitely NOT classy OR romantic!)
Acapulco, Mexico
1) Palladium Nightclub: The BEST Nightclub in Acapulco; owned by Tony Rullan Dichter and sons (I met Tony and his son Brandon). A gorgeous view overlooking the bay overlooking the bay area, an incredible light show, and awesome music. Once a month they have 70-80-90s night, which I happen to see long lines waiting to go up to the club to get in – so don’t miss that night, and go early! Tel +52 446-5490 Escenica, Las Brisas, S/N, Acapulco, Mexico, CP 39880
2) Club LOVE – Located in the same area as Palladium, this club is mostly outdoors, and on a hot, humid night when I was there, it was still empty up till about 12:30 am when I left. Although it has a beautiful outdoor setting view of the bay and city lights, it needs some larger fans to cool the air. There is a small center dance floor around couches, so its a cool vibe, but honestly, I was bored waiting for it to get busier on a Sat. night. Can’t say I was in Love with Club LOVE. Twillio is the Manager, he was not there that night. When I went to leave, all the cars were in line for Palladium. I should have gone there! Maybe give it a try on a Friday night when the weather is ideal.
St. Maartin, Neth, Ant.
1) Bliss Nightclub – Located in The Maho area of St. Maartin, at the far end of the airport, Bliss is a beautiful outdoor nightclub that has various bars, seating levels, and a circular dance floor. It gets a late start, around midnight, and it is not ideal for rainy or windy weather, but it’s a sharp place with great music, and Manager, Mr.T (Thierry Genet) is most gracious. It’s a fabulous place you won’t want to miss!
2) Tantra Nightclub – Our favorite indoor nightclub, Tantra is located on the 2nd level above The Maho Resort Casino in the Maho area of St. Maarten.. The circular dance floor has bars surrounding it, and they had the best Ladies night on the island – Ladies drank for free on Weds. nights, so the place was packed! The music is great, they play all popular dance not just House or Hip Hop. If you want a quieter, more intimate area, the 2nd floor of the club is lit in deep reds and quite romantic. We really enjoyed ourselves there.
3) The Beach Nightclub: Located on the Rooftop in the Maho shopping Plaza by the airport, this beautifully soft-lit nightclub is the ultimate in Romance! Raised Beds, overstuffed chairs for two, little private alcoves and other intimate touches made this one of our favorite clubs in St. Maartin. The only downfall is a windy or rainy night – as the club cannot open. But put this on your list as a “Must See” in St. Maartin.
4) The Sunset Bar and Grille: This famous outdoor bar and grill sits adjacent to the beach and right at the tail end of the airport. It is known for two things – an absolutely beautiful sunset and a great place to see airplanes land and take off. What a fun place! At night, a DJ comes in and it turns into a casual, outdoor nightclub.
United States Night Clubs
Florida –
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1) Rooftop LIVE Lounge and DAER Dance Club – Guitare Hotel at Seminole Hardrock Casino – 1 Lucky Street, Hollywood, FL 33314 (954) 448-5320
My New FAVORITE Club from West Palm Beach through Miami, THIS is the nightclub you want to visit. It’s on the Top of The new, exciting Guitar Hotel & Casino, and features the best, breathtaking view overlooking the Bora Bora lagoon. This open-air lounge has a roof covering over half of the club. It features the area’s best bands and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights with music everyone will love; the classic hits from the 80s, 90s to today. Opens at 8 pm, get there early to get a seat at the bar. Beautiful people dressed to impress of all ages, who are friendly; making it easy to meet new friends. Excellent service from a wonderful staff. My good friend Richie D’Aleo is a Host for many parties there, and Fabulously attentive Manager, Sean Sultan, is the one to ask for to be on the Guestlist. Tell him Riana of Romance International sent you! Email: Seansultan@gmail.com
Miami South Beach:
Used to be one of my favorite weekend getaways, South Beach has had trouble since COVID, attracting a more seedy crowd. I was disappointed and even afraid to walk the popular Ocean Ave & Lincoln Blvd. The best hotels are still nice, but quiet. Hoping this hot spot will turn around post-COVID. (1/7/2022)
1) LIV – located in The Fontainebleau Hotel on Collins Ave in Miami Beach, this 18,000 square foot, lavish and ultra-exclusive club is home to celebrities and Miami’s local VIP party crowd. Music has variety, from rock, Hip Hop, and House, and there is a great light show. VIP Skyboxes are on the second level, although there are good visuals wherever you stand. Upscale dress code applies. Although we were treated very well at the door by Joey and Freddie, who whisked us to the front of the line and through the door, there is a huge line for others, and a “selection process” to get in. The younger Clubber may feel fine about this, but I “don’t do lines” and would not wait otherwise “to get in.” It’s a beautiful hotel, and a massive, cool nightclub – if you can get in without the hassle, I recommend it! Cover $20- go early.
2) SET – Lincoln Road, South Beach – $25 to get in the door – and for what???? Boring, small, and snobby at the door; sorry I have nothing good to say about SET Nightclub. We were treated rudely by the Pretentious who knows who at the door – and we stayed about an hour – no waitress asked us for a drink order, and the club never really got going on a Friday night! Forget this one. Save your money.
Delray Beach, FL
1) Throw Social – 29 SE 2nd Ave; Delray Beach, FL 33444
(800) 561.0755
My NEW Favorite spot in Florida! A great indoor/outdoor restaurant/bar venue. Located in the heart of Delray but tucked away, this place has beautiful romantic highlights, bands 7 nights a week, attentive service, good fun-food, and great drinks. All ages get along great, and the outdoor VIP Cabanas are sexy and inviting. If you get bored, you can always throw axes or darts! This is the SOCIAL, DANCING Meeting HOT spot now in Delray! Don’t miss it; get there before 7:30 pm to get a seat at the 3 large bars or awesome High-top tables. Tell Manager Jeff Garbash that Riana from Romance International sent you!
2) The RAY Hotel – Rosewater Roof Top Lounge, Restaurant & Pool 223 NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach
What can I say about this Hotel/club combo? The Lounge is beautiful, they had a great DJ with popular dance and Sexy Vibe music, beautiful lighting, and cool, pretty people of all ages were there. Definitely a NEW Upscale, Trendy Hot Spot in Delray Beach – Very much needed and wanted! All this I rate a 5/5; the hotel is lovely too.
The Service? I was there for an hour and asked 4 servers if I may order a drink – all said “they’d be right back” and NONE came back to take an order. I talked to the Manager and stated my concerns and gave him my card. Now being a world Traveler and reviewing many HOT Top Night clubs, ALL Managers would have been sincerely apologetic and ordered drinks for my guests and me themselves. Instead, this one said – “Your party has to leave in 5 minutes, the table there is reserved.” There were many tables open on the other side he could have arranged for us in this situation. I was never treated so rudely. Therefore, I rate SERVICE a 0/5 – I hope they get their SH*T together because the place has HUGE potential to be amazing. I will come back and hope for better service – if my guests and I receive it, I will be sure to update this post.
3) Johnnie Browns – 301 E. Atlantic Ave, near the railroad tracks (561) 243-9911
A LEGEND in Delray Beach and Promoted as “the Classic Rock and Rollbar” is the perfect description of this outdoor, bar-restaurant. Totally casual, not pretentious, and even a bit grimy, this place attracts tourists, well-known locals, and friendly bikers from all over. There is a band every night – so you can always count on a crowd here. If that is your flavor, you will love it here. The bands are good, but not many people dance – the “dance floor” is small, and you have to push the tables aside. The food is typical burger and fries, but it is pretty good. It’s a fun and popular place to hang out with a gang of people who just feel like getting crazy. Be prepared, when the loud train flies by, shots are half price — fabulous. Attracts all ages and types – makes for an interesting night! Open all day until 12 am.
4) Ocean One Bar & Grille; Delray Marketplace; 14851 Lyons Rd (561) 565-5501
A Popular bar/restaurant that turns into a fun, casual dance spot in west Delray Beach. “The Happy Hour place to go!” with a great DJ and dancing outside from 6 – 10:30 pm. The crowd is of mixed age, with high energy and there to have fun. With three drinks for $10, it’s the place to go! The food is a varied American menu, from Steak, Seafood, salads, fun foods, and apps – all very tasty. Being a dancer, loving the outdoors, and sometimes seeking casual fun this will become “a regular” for me! Manager: Nicholas Muccia; OceanOneFLGM@gmail.com.
5) Sea Gate Hotel – The Atlantic Grille lounge and restaurant – 100 East Atlantic Ave, two blocks from the Delray Beach (866) 559-3298
This is a beautiful (one of the nicest) hotel and restaurant in Delray Beach. The bar and outdoor seating with fire pits are lovely. They did a recent remodel, but I have not heard about any new entertainment.
6) The Sandbar – Tiki Bar Restaurant and Lounge on the Beach; 40 S. Ocean Blvd. A Delray Favorite for a fun afternoon party and lunch or dinner. Beachgoers gather around 3 pm with the DJ starting about 2:30. People travel from all over because this is the Best Beach bar in the area. Pub food and great drinks; sandy patio and ocean views; plus beautiful sexy people of all ages; many in swimwear coverups; gather for this fun and feisty place. Bar games, attentive kind staff, and an afternoon you will repeat again and again.
Boca Raton, FL
1) Cosmo‘s Night Club – 99 SE 1st Ave (561) 392-6885
This is the best (and only) Disco in town! Nice to see they remodeled since it was Platforms! Always a DJ spinning the best of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and today! I have enjoyed Saturday nights there and the crowds are there! Being a huge Disco Dance fan, I really love the music here. Ladies dress to impress, and the men – well, most try. The age is 45 – 70, with younger people coming in later – but everyone loves to dance there – great floor, and attentive bar staff as well! Open 8-2 am.
2) Balux Boca Night Club – 7000 W Palmetto Park Rd, Suite 102, Boca Raton FL (Corner of Powerline & Palmetto Roads; bottom level of White Office Complex Building). A beautiful, upscale, state-of-the-art club is much needed in the Boca Raton area. They Feature a great stage and fabulous bands, a large and roomy dance area, a beautiful light show, and bar area; and a quieter dining area around the outer edges of the main club. Dress to Impress. Ask for owner Pete or Manager George and tell them Romance International Sent you!
3) Crazy Uncle Mikes – Brewery-Bites-Beats; 6450 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 3487 561-931-2889 www.CrazyUncle Mikes.com Ask for Eric Haas, Manager
If you live on the East Coast of Florida in Palm Beach or Broward Co, you must visit Crazy Uncle Mikes Bar, Restaurant, which features the best area bands! It’s a great indoor-outdoor venue that is down-to-earth, offers great food, and amazing music. I went to see Krazy Train – the Best Band in the area with lead singer Jose singing amazing Rock hits. My friend and I had chicken wings, Tequila Steamed Mussels, and the Bourbon Peach Cobbler. It may be considered “bar food” but everything was delicious, served quickly, and they gave generous portions. Our bartenders Fernand and Stephanie were amazing too. We both tried one of their famous “Old Fashion” made with burnt wood that gives the drink a smokey, smooth flavor with an added orange; WOW. It’s a MUST Try. Manager Eric Haas is super accommodating and he keeps you informed of all the great bands coming in – just get on their email list. It’s Imperative you make a reservation – just say Riana and Romance International Travel sent you in! Have fun!
Orlando, FL:
1) BB Kings Blues Night Club: 9101 International Drive, suite 2230 (upstairs) Orlando (407) 370-4550. Also: in City Place, West Palm Beach, FL
What a fun spot with GREAT dance bands who play Motown and Blues classics (call to see which band is featured for the evening). We had a blast on my birthday and stayed until closing. There is a BB Kings in West Palm Beach, FL as well, and we will be there soon to write that one up. Mike Davis, Manager of Orlando, was most accommodating, and we WILL be back. Keep the music rolling!
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1) YOLO – O Lounge on Las Olas: 333 East Los Olas Boulevard (954) 524-3884.
I really enjoy YOLO (You Only Live Once) restaurant which features indoor and outdoor seating, fire pits, an upscale vibe and sexy music. Dress to impress here. The food is wonderful, and the wine list is great. Yolo has two bars – a more social bar, and the nightclub – O Lounge; all within the one property. The nightclub plays dance favorites, and all ages enjoy it there. The one bar is also open to the night air, keeping the club itself, cool with a breeze. The restaurant and dance club are two of my favorites in this city. Be sure to valet, and check out the scene. A must if you are staying in FLL. Ask for – Michael Savitt – General Manager.
Atlantic City, NJ
1) Dusk Nightclub – in Cesar’s Casino/Hotel – a new, popular nightspot in AC – this club offers the fun, dance music you would know – keeping you dancing for hours! People of all ages go, looking great in their trendy outfits – the dance floor is in the center of a circle of seating, so every seat in the house is a good one! I took my daughter’s bachelorette party group there (12 of us) and Billy Jr (known as “Friday”) took our group in away from lines and cover — and placed us in a great spot to enjoy ourselves. Ask for Ashley to serve you – and tell them both that Riana sent you! Everything there was great fun – but my ears ached from the loud music for a few hours after – so prepare yourself for that – otherwise, go early and look great!
2) Outdoor decks – Golden Nugget Deck Bar – Summertime is THE time to go dancing in Atlantic City! The outdoor decks bring the best bands, for the most fun! These two are my favorites – but where ever “Don’t Call Me Francis” band is playing – is where you want to be! Wear flats or wedges ladies, you will be dancing on the boardwalk, but still dress stylish yet casual. You can also go from a day at the beach or boating, into the evening, with a sharp cover-up or after-hours outfit. The decks alone are a great reason to get to AC this summer.
Atlanta, GA
- Red Phone Booth: 17 Andrew Young International Blvd; Atlanta, GA 30303; Jordan Daniel, Gen. Mgr. PH: 470-647-6384 This is the coolest club that I have visited in a long time. You’ll need a private phone number and code that you’ll enter in the phone booth. There is a padlock on the front door – so how do you get in? Ahhh – That’s the secret! This has a sensual, sexy, Speakeasy vibe, this is a private club, cigar bar, and restaurant that offers the finest liquors and wine selections. Dress to impress here, and tell them Riana and Romance International Travel sent you!
