Evening star., 1936-11-29
MEXICO CITY GAY
WITH NIGHT LIFE
Capital Turns From 8uSi.
ness to Fun at
6 O'Clock.
BY ROBERT MUIR.

BY ROBERT MUIR.
MEXICO CITY, November 29.-
Reams OF paper are covered with
advice to tourists as to what to see in
Mexicos capital during the day, but
of the night life of the city nothing
at all is said. From the point OF
view of those who wish to really know
the. place and enjoy themselves Of
an evening, let's talk about the
restaurants, clubs and theaters for
q while.
Six o'clock is the zero hour at
which the town turns from business
to pleasure. At this hour most of
the offices close and men-about-town
and women decide that they had
better start out and look around in
case they miss anything.
They collect in the cocktail lounges
even the tee-totalers, because every
body meets downtown at the WITCH
ing hour, and it would be a terrible
thing for anybody to miss seeing Miss
Whatsername's new boy friend, or
any Of the days scandal.
Club-Like Atmosphere.
The Cucaracha, the Papillon and
the Lady Baltimore are the most
popular Of these places. All of them
are very comfortable and cheerful
after the style of the European hotel
lounges. in that they are more like
clubs than public places.
Jerry Barnard Of the Cucaracha
and Manola of the Papillon are good
hosts, and If the tourist will take the
trouble to make their acquaintenceS,
he will never lack for company, as
these men know all the elite of the
town by name and reputation, and
will introduce him to many interest,"
ing people.
And then, for those who prefer
better beverages at a more reason
able price, at the expense of some of
the pomp and ceremony of the other
places, there are two very famous
bars, the Opera and Macs place.
Here can be seen another strata OF
society-the business man as opposed
to the n-about-town-the connois-
seur who likes his moneys worth
and not so much glamour.
Soft Drinks, Too.
Aperitif time is undoubtedly the
most amusing hour of the day down
there, and it should not be missed
even by those who don't touch liquor
themselves, because there are a
hundred and one soft drinks to choose
from after all.
Now comes the serious business OF
the evening-where to dine. Cutting
out the hotels, which are just like
any other hotels, good but not very
interesting, and choosing the best OF
their kind from the tremendous num-
ber of restaurants in the town, We
can discuss Paulos, Prendes and
Petes Place.
Paulos is the most expensive house
but their food and wines are really
excellent and the stuff is we'll turned
out. Italian food is their speciality
although, of course, any type of food
can be obtained. Prendes comes
under more or less the same category
but French food is featured.
Pete's Place, however, is quite
different to the other two. Decorated
internally to represent a log cabin
1t is cozy, intimate little oasis
serving wonderful viands at such
ridiculously low prices that the diner
can hardly believe his eyes on being
presented with his bill. Petes Gus
toners come back for more.
Jack-of- all Trades.
He is an amazing character him
self this restaurateur. OF Alsatian
parentage, he has roamed the world !;
Jack-of- -all-tradeS, he has been avia-
tor, miner, soldier OF fortune and
many other things. Now he runs his
little restaurant on Gale Gante with
his charming wife, and takes tre-
mendous pride in his cuisine
incidentally, if anybody wants to
know anything about anybody In
Mexico City, they 60 to Pete. He
knows.
The high spots come next on the
roster. We had better make a night
of it and do the rounds. There is
probably some first class music on
at the Theatre Nacional, one of the
most beautiful theaters in the world,
but as it is to be night OF frivolity,
We had better 60 and see the Fronton
game instead.
Fastest Game on Earth.
1t is too difficult to explain this
game in detail in SO limited q space,
but it has been described as the
fastest and most graceful game on
earth. The court is brilliantly
lighted hollow rectangle of very high
walls, and the implements Of play
long wicker scoops, fitted to the right
hands of the players. The players,
all professionals and wonderfully
skillfull, and four in number. keen q
Dali resembling base ball volleying
round the court like bullet, while
the bookmakers shout their odds from
the side screen to the spectators in
the tiers above. Large sums of money
change hands nightly at these games.
but it is well worth watching with
out gaming at all.
The game is over at IL o'clock, and
supper seems to call, so off we 70
to the Escargot to dance for q while,
and once again see Mexico's society
at play. 1t Is an attractive night
clup, well decorated and friendly