A Mexico City nightclub has gone viral for charging American patrons a nearly $300 cover charge, while citizens from any other country pay just $20, and Mexicans and other Latin Americans pay only $14.
Japan nightclub's tiered pricing policy
The Instagram announcement from the nightclub Japan in the Roma Norte neighborhood has garnered over 26,000 likes and more than 200 comments, mostly supporting the policy as part of a broader revolt against what many perceive as a US takeover of the capital.
“It’s not that ‘we charge gringos more’ it’s that we offer discounts to people that need it,” the club said in its cheeky Instagram post. “The cover charge is $5,000 [pesos]. Citizens of the USA don’t get a discount.” The post further states that citizens from any other country receive a 93% discount, Mexicans and Latin Americans get 95% off, and students and teachers enjoy a 97% discount, paying just 150 pesos for entry.
Owner cites US insults and gentrification
The club’s owner, Federico Crespo, explained that the tiered pricing reflects deteriorating Mexico-US relations under Donald Trump. “This is a response to a year of insults directed at us – as a country – by the United States,” he said. “It’s very much a response to the many attacks against Mexico from Trump.” However, Crespo also noted that the cover charge system addresses the “gentrification and touristification” of the city.
The nightclub’s post is part of a general backlash in Mexico City against what many see as an invasion of Americans and other foreigners in trendy neighborhoods such as Roma and Condesa, driving up prices and displacing locals. Last year, protesters took to the streets in a furious march that turned violent, with marchers dressed in black smashing windows of local businesses. Afterwards, the streets were littered with broken glass and walls covered with graffiti reading “Get out of Mexico.”
Global context of overtourism backlash
While Mexico City has long been popular with American visitors, there was a noticeable increase during the coronavirus pandemic, when many from the US took advantage of remote work policies to flock to the Mexican capital, where rents were far more affordable. The rise of so-called “digital nomads” has led to a proliferation of Airbnbs, soaring rents in desirable neighborhoods, and a general shift in the urban environment; in some areas of Mexico City, English is heard as much as Spanish.
This trend mirrors similar tendencies around the world in cities like Barcelona, Genoa, and Lisbon, which are also popular with digital nomads. Local residents complain that new arrivals take advantage of cheaper living conditions, often not paying local taxes and eroding their communities. Crespo said the extra money from cover charges is distributed among workers at Japan. “It’s a way to give that money to the people most affected by this issue: rising rents, the soaring cost of living and the need to commute longer distances to get to work. By giving the workers the money collected from cover charges, we help them out a little bit.”
