Esta publicación también está disponible en: Español
On the coast of Playa de los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta, Bar El Pirata, founded by Don Antonio Cázares, was not just a nightlife establishment, but a true spectacle of diversity and entertainment.
From 1972 to 1988, this emblematic place was distinguished by its inclusive atmosphere and its privileged location, open directly to the beach.
As Eduardo Pérez Turner, a regular at the bar, remembers, El Pirata had a unique design, with its back open to the sea, allowing the breeze and the sound of the waves to merge with the festive atmosphere of the interior. This barrier-free access to the beach created an immersive experience, where nature and culture met in perfect harmony.
At the heart of El Pirata shone the show “Les Femmes”, directed by Víctor Amezcua. Since the 70s, this transvestite show stood out in Puerto Vallarta for the presence of talented artists such as Francis, known for her imitations of Marilyn Monroe, and a cast of at least eight artists, including a Diana Ross impersonator.
All of them were admired for their art and respected by a heterogeneous public, made up of both people of diversity and heterosexuals, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the place.
An iconic element of El Pirata was the master of ceremonies known as “the silver fox”, whose elegance and charisma graced each function. The Fany Girls, another group of prominent drag performers, brought their energy and glamour, making each night a memorable event.
El Pirata was more than a bar; It was a meeting point for “pata saladas” and visitors, a place open all day to sunbathe and consume in its restaurant, where diversity was a natural and celebrated part of daily life. Although the first gay bars in Puerto Vallarta would not appear until the late 80s, it was a space where each person’s identity was valued, and where artistic expression was lived without prejudice.
Today, although El Pirata no longer exists, his legacy endures. It was a place ahead of its time, a precursor of LGBT culture in Puerto Vallarta, which left an indelible mark on history and the hearts of those who visited it. Remembering El Pirata is remembering a time where diversity, music, art and beauty came together against the majestic backdrop of the Mexican Pacific.
