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For more than 15 years, Reinas Bar has been a fixture of Puerto Vallarta’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, welcoming locals, tourists and longtime regulars into its crown-filled cantina in Zona Romántica. Now, one of the city’s most recognizable neighborhood bars is entering a new era as founder Marcus Van Groeningen hands ownership to entrepreneur Justin Campese, owner of the nearby Banana Factory.
Marcus shared news of the transition on social media in late January 2026, noting, “Life is made of meetings and goodbyes, and as much as I will miss the bar, we know it is time,” as he explained he would be “passing the crown to Justin.”
The change took effect on April 6, 2026. One month after the handover, O&APV met with Justin at Reinas.
Justin, who is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, has been a Puerto Vallarta resident for five and a half years.
The new owner is enthusiastic about this adventure and made a definitive statement saying, “The bar is and will remain Reinas, and we will keep it as close to what it has always been as possible.”
Justin emphasized that maintaining the bar’s essence is his top priority. He has kept the entire staff, known for their warm service, and we witnessed firsthand that the signature decor and atmosphere of this iconic gay bar remain intact. For Justin, Reinas holds personal significance; it was his go-to spot when he first moved to the city.
“When I moved here, I didn’t know anyone, and Reinas was the bar closest to my house. Marcus was always very kind to me, so I used to go there probably four times a week. I made many of my friends there. That’s why, when Marcus approached me with the proposal to take over, I didn’t hesitate to show my interest,” he says.
While the energy remains the same, Reinas has implemented a few upgrades to improve the guest experience:
- Card Payments: The bar now accepts credit and debit cards.
- Extended Happy Hour: Now running daily from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. (starting two hours earlier).
- Food Service: Guests can now order food, prepared in the kitchen of its sister business, The Banana Factory.
Reinas was founded by Van Groeningen in 2010 – shortly after he moved to Vallarta. The themed bar became famous for its playful royal theme—celebrating “queens” with decor ranging from tiaras and portraits of British royalty to wigs and high heels available for patrons to wear.
When asked about Marcus, Justin smiled and mentioned that following the transition, “he is enjoying life and has a new dog.”
Reinas Bar is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 361 and is open daily from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Banana Factory Celebrates its 1st Anniversary
Justin Campese also took the opportunity to announce the upcoming first-anniversary celebration of The Banana Factory, taking place the weekend of May 16–17, just in time for the start of Vallarta Pride.
The celebration includes:
- 2×1 Drink Specials: Available all day long.
- Live Entertainment: Performances by local drag queens.
- Cher Birthday Bash: Since the bar opened on May 20, 2025 (sharing a birthday with the legendary Cher), Monday, May 20, will feature a Cher music video party and a live drag impersonator.
“We are so happy to turn one year old. Everyone in the community has been very kind to our business. I’ve been very lucky because we’ve had an incredible response,” Justin shared.
The Banana Factory is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 341. It is open Monday to Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 a.m., and Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. For updates, follow their Facebook page.
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