Playa del Carmen is a veritable hub for parties and nightlife after the sun has gone down the breezy tropical weather brings everyone out onto the streets. With both the European and Mexican influences, many people eat late lunches, have an afternoon siesta, and then head out for dinner and drinks closer to 9:00 or 10:00 PM. Although bars and restaurants are always busy during the afternoon, and during happy hour, the young party crowd hits the clubs and bars closer to midnight, or even 1:00 AM. Partying goes on into the wee hours with many clubs open until 4:00 AM or later.
Former owner of the No Name Bar (now part of the Tequila Barrel) has now opened another sports bar along with Jaime Strimpopulos, former owner of Oasis, DJ's Bar and more.
James (aka Jimmy) Brown Wallace originally arrived in Mexico
in 1978. After a night of drinking at a local pub in his homeland of Scotland
he met a Mexican woman and followed her home to Guadalajara. Nearly 30 years
later he is still here in Mexico, but after living in Guadalajara, D.F. with a
brief stay in New Jersey, and then onto Ecuador, he landed here in Playa del
Carmen in 1999. He thought it would be a good spot to start up a business so
when he arrived he started up an import business from local artisans in
Guadalajara. He outfitted some of the oldest businesses here in Playa del
Carmen such as the Blue Parrot and Media Luna with Equipale furniture and
handmade glassware. This business eventually segued into the reorganization of
a local bar, the Tequila Barrel, in 2002 with friends and business partners;
Rudy, Greco
, and Joanne . The Tequila
Barrel was spilt in half with one bar, the Tequila Barrel, on the left and then
the No Name Bar opening on the right. Jimmy and Joanne then ran the No Name bar
and kitchen for the next 3 and ½ years. The property sold in 2005 and the new
owners reclaimed the entire bar, and the No Name bar ceased to exist.
Not to be easily side barred, and with years
of experience under their belt, Jimmy, Joanne, and Rudy moved onto their next
project; The Pinche Gringo Sports Bar and Grill.
Enter Jaime Strimpopulos. Jaime has been well known in Playa
del Carmen for years. Originally from Torreon, Mexico he moved here 15 years
ago and has helped to open some of Playa del Carmen's landmarks. He was one of
the founders of The Blue Parrot, and then went onto open the Beer Bucket, The
Beach Bucket, El Oasis Restaurant, DJ's Bar, Boomtown Realty, and he has now
teamed up with Jimmy to run the kitchen at Pinche Gringo's.
Known for his top notch seafood from the old El
Oasis days, he has now introduced the menu at Pinche Gringo's. With battered
shrimp tacos, fresh tangy ceviche, monster seafood cocktails, as well as a
variety of grilled seafood options, the menu is sure to attract seafood
aficionados.
Not to mention the fact
Jaime has always pushed quality at affordable prices which will be sure to blow
the competition away. Not a seafood fan? No need to worry. A full bar menu with
wings, burgers, BLT's, and more is also offered to make sure there is something
for everyone from the seafood or meat lover!
{moseasymedia media=/images/stories/article_vids/pinche_gringo.wmv}
The Pinche Gringo opened its doors in December of 2006, quickly
becoming a local favorite. With a laid back attitude Jimmy and Jaime have
created a personalized space that caters to all walks of life from nationals,
to local foreigners, to visiting sports fanatics. Seven different satellite
systems including 2 American feeds, 2 Latin American feeds,
and a European and Canadian feed, ensures there
is a sport available for everyone. Located just off the beach in an open air
setting with a 25 square meter giant screen along with 4 large flat screens it
is a sports fan paradise. An extensive bar menu and full bar will certainly
have something for even the most scrutinizing of customers. Try their chicken
nachos, zesty wings, or check out the famous battered seafood tacos and chase
it down with a cold corona or frothy margarita and you will certainly want to
stick around for whatever may be next on the screens; whether it is soccer, F1
racing, or curling!
The Pinche Gringo is located on the corner of 1st
Avenue and 26th Street in Playa del Carmen. They are open daily from
8:00 AM until 2:00 AM serving breakfast from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM, Bar food
from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM, and a full bar from 10:00 AM until 2:00 AM. So
stop on by and enjoy, or give them a call at: 044-984-114-8369 or
044-984-114-8375