Cantinas have been around Mexico for over 100 years.  The cantina started when an astute liquor store owner decided to install a crude bar with tables and chairs in a space next to his store. It provide a refuge for men to meet in the afternoon or evening to meet to drink tequila, socialize and gamble.  Away from their wives and girlfriends a man could loosen up his belt, lift up his voice in song and share intimate secrets with his friends.  The shop owner later connected the two establishments by opening a hatch in the common wall.  The architectural term, in Spanish, for an opening between two rooms is "cantina". And as more of these men only bars sprang up, this is what they too were called. Cantinas soon became inextricably associated with bullfighting.  It was here that the Matador went after every week's spectacle to mingle with the common fans, politicians and movie stars who swarmed the place.  In the early 1980's cantinas opened their doors for the first time to women.  Their presence brought about a toning down of the interior action along with the expansion of the menu from only drinking snacks "botanas" to offerings of complete meals. 

Inside Cancun's modern day cantinas you will find great food and drink with a charming ambiance that make these bar-restaurants so popular among the local Cancunites.  Their menus are full of traditional Mexican dishes and the bars are stocked with numerous varieties of tequila.  Most of Cancun's cantinas are scattered around the bullring in downtown Cancun.  During the daytime they receive an array of local businessmen stopping in for afternoon of delicious botanas (bar snacks) and beer.  In the evening you can expect a hip younger crowd who come to listen to many local bands that play in these quaint bars.  On Wednesday afternoons when Cancun has its weekly bull fights you can expect these bars to be packed and very lively just like in traditional times.