When the party is over (literally)
It seems that in CDMX, the motto “The Night is for Everyone” comes with an asterisk: *As long as you don’t make noise, don’t overcharge, and above all, don’t sell alcohol to minors as if they were influencers with fake IDs. This week, the capital government played the party pooper and left 11 establishments in four mayor’s offices without chelas. The reason? The classic combination of fed up neighbors, loud music, and that Mexican custom of believing that rules are just decorative suggestions.
From the bar to the boat (or almost)
Between July 31 and August 2, an army of officials – armed with a checklist and probably a monumental effort – set out to check bars and breweries in Álvaro Obregón, Cuauhtémoc, Miguel Hidalgo and Venustiano Carranza. The result: seven stores suspended, four closed, and four brave souls who decided to break the closure seals as if they were Drake’s last contract. Spoiler: it didn’t go well for them.
The reasons were as varied as a cantina menu: from noise that exceeded the decibels of a Bad Bunny concert to the sale of alcohol to minors (because, of course, what would Mexico be without that adolescent ritual where a 16-year-old kid tries to buy a six-pack with the confidence of a serial drug trafficker). And if that were not enough, some places added “creative charges” to the list of irregularities, because why follow the normal rate when you can invent prices as if you were an airline in high season?
But not everything was chaos and destruction. The authorities insisted that their mission was not to ruin the after-party (at least not completely), but to “guide” the owners. Translation: “Hey, dear hangover entrepreneurs, if you don’t want us to fine you like a shared Netflix account, you better behave.” Of course, with a white balance —that is, zero injuries, but several broken hearts of customers who arrived at the place only to find a “closed for irresponsible” sign.
And now what, my chela?
They participated in the operation from Invea to the Secretary of Citizen Security, demonstrating that when it comes to oversight, CDMX does not play. Of course, the question remains: will these measures really serve to stop the nighttime chaos, or are we just facing another chapter of “we fine, we close, and in two weeks everyone comes back as if nothing had happened”? For now, if your favorite brewery woke up with a label, you know: you’ll have to resign yourself and look for another place… or learn to drink at home like the responsible adults we swore to be.
Are you surprised by these operations? Share this note and tag that friend who always chooses the noisiest bars. And if you want more stories of urban chaos, explore our related content. #TheNightIsForEveryone (but in moderation).
Photo: El Universal
