Longtime bartender, David, one of Vallarta’s most handsome  men, will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday, July 25 and we’ll be throwing a little party for him.  Stop by and help us make him feel special!

With barely any standing room left on Wednesday night, a 10 piece Mariachi band ascended the back stairwell to greet the crowd waiting.   The crowd sang and danced for an hour.   Beautiful! Then, bartender Mario and dance partner Christian performed two classic folkloric dances that brought down the house!  To finish the night it seemed everyone wanted to take it off for Tom!  What a great night!

   Tom called it the “best party ever!”.  It was!

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On New Year’s Eve 2009, we find ourselves grateful to our customers for their loyalty and friendship.  Here’s to a fantastic 2010 for one and all!  Thank you to each of you for making Bar Frida a special place for us all.

Customers Sessanio and Dain with bartender Victor and Bar Frida owners Tom and Luis enjoy the fireworks at the Los Muertos Pier on Dec. 31, 2009

Fireworks from Los Muertos Pier Dec. 31, 2009

Over the years, Frida’s customers have brought much joy to the children of Vallarta through the toy box we set out each holiday season.  It is amazing how fast it will fill up.  We have very generous customers for sure! 

This year, we’ve set aside a special night, Tuesday Dec. 15, for you to bring in toys for the children.  If you can’t make it that night, any night prior is fine.  The toy box is ready now!  Have a wonderful holiday, wherever you may be.  We hope you’ll join us on Tuesday if you are here in town.

If you’ve been been to Fridas Bar and Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta you’ve most likely noticed the giant mural that once was the back wall of the original location.  It’s been cut down and hauled to the new location a block away.  It hangs along the long wall on the first floor, opposite the bar.  When it was originally painted in 2002 by artist Jorge Zavala, it took 3 or 4 attempts and many months of work to get it right. 

Now nearly 8 years later, Jorge showed up a few days after the new bar opened and delivered a second piece of art to owners Tom and Luis.  Like the first work, it was totally by surprise.  Tom had not asked Jorge to paint a portrait of Frida, just like he had not asked Jorge to paint the mural on the wall in 2002, but agreed to let him after he asked.  It was a good decision.  The mural has been a conversation piece and admired over the years by thousands of tourists and locals.  It captures the spirit of Frida beautifully and is full of symbolic imagery.

The new work is grabbing lots of attention too and shows how the artist’s work has matured, I think.  Many have threatened to steal it as they leave through the exit, where the new portrait hangs just to the right.   So many liked it that Tom decided he’d use it for the new tshirts.  Now you can take home a piece of Frida as a souvenir.  The new shirts are only 150 pesos.  Get yours today while they last.

Here model and bartender David shows off the new shirt, front and rear.  Enjoy. 

Since 2001, Bar Frida has welcomed tourists from all over the world and developed a long standing list of regular locals (both Mexican and expats from all over) whom we are proud to call our dear friends.  The scene starts early, around 1pm, and changes almost hourly as the customers come and go.   Newcomers don’t remain strangers very long as on any given night one is likely to meet a cruiseship worker, a business owner from Saskatoon or London or a Vallarta beach vendor taking a well deserved break.  All kinds of people find Bar Frida and as owner, Tom Finley often says, “Bar Frida isn’t about the place, its about the people.”  Say hello to owners Tom and Luis and let them show you around.  They are always happy to meet new visitors!

With special drink prices every day….it’s always happy hour at Fridas.  Enjoy 10 peso Pacifo AND Corona bottled beer until 7pm and once you’ve tried the house tequila at Frida’s you’ll never go back to the other stuff!  Come in and let us show you why we’re Vallarta’s ONLY Authentic Alternative Mexican Cantina.