El Gato

El Gato is a cocktail bar at Calle 56 No. 486-A in the Zona Paseo de Montejo of Centro, Mérida, in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. The venue takes a mid-century Mexican literary theme and is named after a novel by the writer Juan García Ponce, which shapes both its decor and its sense of identity. The atmosphere is intimate and slightly bookish, closer to a cultured salon than to a party venue. The crowd is typically adult, made up of couples, friends and visitors who enjoy a themed cocktail bar, and the dress code is casual to smart-casual; the warm Yucatán climate means light clothing is the norm. Music is kept at a level that supports conversation rather than dancing. The drinks programme is built around cocktails, priced at roughly MXN 140-220 (about USD 8-13), which is mid to upper-mid for the city. There is no cover charge. Opening hours run Tuesday to Sunday from 18:00 to 02:00, and the bar is closed on Mondays. Because the schedule is the same across the week, the main difference between weeknights and weekends is crowd size: Friday and Saturday are noticeably busier, while Tuesday to Thursday leaves more room to settle in and talk with the bartenders. Reservations are not usually required, but groups of more than four may want to phone ahead; the listed number is +52 999 900 4818. Bottle service is not part of the format. The Paseo de Montejo area is home to many of Mérida's restaurants and historic mansions, so El Gato fits naturally into an evening that begins with dinner nearby and ends with a late cocktail. Visitors who value a distinctive concept and a calmer room over a loud dancefloor will find it a good match.