If you want to celebrate the authentic spirit of Mexico without hopping on a plane, check out these nine places in Nevada.
Nevada and Mexico have a lot in common. For instance, we both love our cowboys. Our climates and terrain are similar too, ranging from arid deserts to snowy mountains.
Even though Mexicans never settled here, Nevada belonged to Mexico until 1848, after the Mexican-American War. There are now 890,257 Nevadans of Hispanic or Latino descent, according to the 2020 census.
Several places in Nevada embody the authentic spirit of Mexico, from locally-owned shops to Latin dance clubs – even an entire Las Vegas hotel and casino. If you’re feeling homesick or simply want to absorb Latin culture, check out these nine Nevada spots.
1. Wells Avenue – Reno
Wells Avenue is one of Reno’s most diverse neighborhoods thanks to its strong Latino and Hispanic influences. Many of the mom-and-pop shops along this 1.5-mile stretch of road are Hispanic-owned.
One such business is the Hispanic grocery store Marketon (1500 S. Wells Ave). One of five Marketon supermarkets in the state, and the only one in Reno, the store is known for its low prices and Hispanic product selection from food to housewares.
Another Wells Avenue gem is the ice cream shop Antojitos Colibri ( 880 S. Wells Ave). Ranked No. 18 on Yelp’s Top 100 Ice Cream Shops for 2023, this family-owned shop has healthy and indulgent Mexican fruit snacks like gazpacho, corn, and fruit as well as aguas frescas, ice cream, and milkshakes.
In addition to Latin influences year-round, the Wells Avenue community celebrates annually at a street festival during Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
2. LEX Nightclub (Vive Fridays) – Reno
Located inside Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (2500 E. 2nd Street), the 25,000-square-foot LEX Nightclub devotes Friday nights to the Latinx community.
Vive Fridays at this premier nightclub start with salsa lessons to warm you up for a night of dancing atop a one-of-a-kind glass dance floor. DJs keep the energy high with cumbia, salsa, bachata, and reggaetón. If you need some liquid courage, head to the bar. Or to kick it up a notch, reserve VIP table service.
3. Oak Room Lounge – Sparks
With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, the family-owned and operated Oak Room Lounge (1955 Oddie Boulevard), is a safe and fun environment where people from all walks of life can let loose.
The venue is also committed to exciting entertainment, featuring Latin and hip-hop music from national and international DJs, artists, and entertainers including Mexican resident DJ Jose Villalobos. Guests enjoy hookah, cocktails, and a different theme every night.
4. Toro De Oro Market – Sparks
Do you miss your favorite food and product brands from south of the border? Toro De Oro Market (588 N. McCarran Blvd in Sparks) is a neighborhood market with many Hispanic items. The supermarket also offers freshly-made Mexican food for dining in or to go.
Departments at this Latin grocery store include a meat market, bakery, pantry, and produce section. The store is well stocked and the prices are fair. The bakery and butcher shop both receive high accolades on Yelp for their diverse selections.
5. Broadacres Marketplace – North Las Vegas
On weekends, many from the Las Vegas Hispanic community are vendors or shoppers at Broadacres Marketplace. Covering 44 acres at the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Pecos Blvd., this is a family-oriented retail and entertainment destination with shopping, food, music, and rides.
The swapmeet has more than 1,000 covered vendor spaces, selling new and used items. The food fair also has rows of vendors with food and drink options from cultures worldwide. Kids will love the games, pony rides, teacup spinners, and Ferris wheel. Broadacers also has live bands every weekend, performing on a large stage with a covered seating area, and room to dance.
6. El Mercado – Las Vegas
A mall within a mall, El Mercado (Spanish for the marketplace) resembles the streets of Mexico with nearly 200 Hispanic-owned stores, restaurants, and live music or dance performances. Located inside the Boulevard Mall (3528 S. Maryland Parkway), it’s like a smaller, more boutique version of Broadacres.
El Mercado is filled with local vendors selling handmade arts, crafts, clothes, shoes, jewelry, and home decor — many of which are handmade and related to Hispanic culture. There’s also an international food court with tons of authentic food choices and a large stage for entertainment.
7. Hotel Jefe at Ojos Locos Casino – North Las Vegas
Hotel Jefe at Ojos Locos Casino (3227 Civic Center Drive) is a hotel, casino, and sports bar catering to the Hispanic community. The hotel has clean and modern accommodations for singles, couples, and families while the casino has 262 slots, video reels, and video poker machines.
Also on the property is Ojos Locos Sports Bar, a cantina with ice-cold cervezas, cocktails, Mexican food, sports on TV, and sexy Latina waitresses known as Chicas Coquetas y Bonitas. The property is laid-back and open to families, though the sports bar is a big fiesta on nights and weekends.
8. Latin Nightclubs – Las Vegas
La Jolla Nightclub (2245 E. Flamingo Road) is located only 5 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. An upscale and energetic Latin lounge with a different theme every night, it’s a high-energy atmosphere for dancing, drinking, and smoking hookah, while a DJ spins salsa, merengue, cumbia, Spanish rock, EDM, disco, and more.
You’ll want to dress to impress at Mango Tango Nightclub (2101 S Decatur Boulevard, #1). This glamorous and ultra-modern nightclub is the place to see and be seen while dancing to the Latest DJ-spun Latin music hits. If you work up an appetite, you’re in luck. The kitchen is open all night.
Open 24 hours Thursdays through Sundays, La Hacienda Nightclub,(2015 N. Daley Street, North Las Vegas), is a nonstop party. Every night has a different theme, and some even include drink specials. DJs could keep you dancing nonstop, but you could also play pool table, smoke hookah, or try the Latin-inspired cocktails and cuisine.
To see our full list of Latin clubs in Reno and Las Vegas, click here.
9. La Bonita Supermarkets
La Bonita Supermarket is a chain of Hispanic grocery stores with seven Las Vegas locations and multiple sections including juice bars, tortillerías, panaderías, taquerías, groceries, and produce. The market is known for its specials, deals, and low prices.
Shoppers appreciate that you can get almost any cut of meat from the butcher. They also like the freshly baked pan dulce and colorful baked desserts. La Bonita sells a large selection of Hispanic brands like Goya, Marinela, Klass, and Emperador, as well as a variety of international brands. The store also has freshly made, authentic Mexican food to eat in-store or to-go.
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