The Under, Mexico City’s foremost darketo (goth) club, is a must for those seeking a different corner of chilango nightlife. Located in the colonia Roma, The Real Underground was opened a few years ago in order to create a space that was welcoming to members of this subculture. The proprietors of the club, darketos themselves, seek to provide non-mainstream musical groups a space where they can perform and their fans can hang out without being disturbed. What is interesting about this place and its economics (if I can say that) is that here, you definitely won’t find the typical guys trying to fight the system by avoiding any kind of marketing. Instead, the Under is run as a business that satisfies a very specific market.
Regulars at El Under (pronounced ünder) wear deep dark mascara, white make up, corseted waists, high heels and velvet coats. However, it is common to see punks, rockabillies and emo kids sharing this place that looks a little bit like the rec room at the Adams Family mansion. The club is, in fact, housed in an old, beautiful house built in the early 20th century, with wooden floors on both of its two stories. Two giant murals have been painted on the walls of the main rooms, one of a mysterious castle and the other, creepily, of the “Singing in the Rain” scene from A Clockwork Orange.
People who don’t dare to dress up to explore the night are still welcome at the Under. All you need here is the willingness to listen and dance to good music without a pretentious attitude. In my experience, my machas and gay friends have never been disturbed, even in PDA cases.
If you pick the right day, you might hear an interesting band or dance to DJs from all sectors of the chilango scene–and sometimes from abroad–spinning 80s and 90s music.
Beer is cheap and there is a little hot dog cart around the corner if you get hungry.
El Real Under;Address: Monterrey 80, Colonia Roma. A couple of blocks from Durango Metrobús station. Very close to Insurgentes subway station. Tel. 5511 5475. myspace.com/el_under