Table of contents:
- Intro
- How to get to El Chopo?
- The Origins and History of El Chopo
- Music and Merch: A Paradise for Alternative Fans
- The Urban and Underground Culture of El Chopo
- Movies, Local Artists, and Iconic Memorabilia
- A Feast for the Senses: Drinks and Food at El Chopo
- The El Chopo Experience: A Social Gathering for Outsiders
- Planning Your Visit to El Chopo
- Informative video
Intro
If you are a person who loves black or death metal but you don’t have anyone to share these tastes with, you have to visit this place. In the heart of Mexico City lies a cultural gem. It is a flea market right in the center of Mexico City that seems straight out of an underground-dark paradise.
“El Chopo” is a cultural hub and essential for a reunion of music fans, punks, metalheads, goths, and any lover of alternative trends. But it is more than just a market; it’s an institution of Mexico City that captures the heart and soul of this city, its counterculture scene, as well as some street style. So, if you are into music, movies, art, and many more cultural aspects, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit this enchanting place. It is definitely a must-visit gem in the city!
Learn more about rock and music history in Mexico with these articles:
- Rock Music in Spanish
- Avandaro
- Latin American Music
- Concerts and Festivals in Mexico
- What are Mariachis?
- Check out this article where I shared my expertise in Punk Rock culture.
- Check out this article where I shared my expertise for traveling abroad to concerts.
How to get to El Chopo?
El Tianguis Cultural del Chopo is located in Mexico City on Calle de Juan Aldama, near Metro Buenavista in the Cuauhtemoc borough. It is a treasure of the alternative, punk, and metal scene. This place is a popular destination for spending a perfect weekend destination. Get ready to admire the very best of music, fashion, and unique finds.
How to Get There:
- By Metro: Take Line B (green and gray) to Metro Buenavista. Exit the station, and El Chopo is just a short walk away.
- By Metrobus: Take Metrobus Line 1 and get off at the Buenavista station.
- By Tren Suburbano: If you’re coming from northern areas, the Buenavista station on the suburban train line is nearby.
This flea market is typically open every Saturday from 10:00 AM to around 5:00 PM, though it’s best to arrive earlier for the full experience.
The Origins and History of El Chopo
El Chopo has a long history, tied in with the counterculture movements of the late 20th century. Initially founded in the late 1970s, El Chopo is named after the “Museo Universitario del Chopo,” a museum of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), due to its proximity to this place.
Although it is not there anymore, the name “El Chopo” stuck, becoming synonymous with Mexico City’s alternative scene. Begun as a flea market for vinyl lovers and second-hand merchants, El Chopo soon blossomed into a trading post. It celebrates everything, from punk to metal, goth-rock, and new wave.
Nowadays, El Chopo is open every Saturday, and it continues to represent a lively example of punk and alternative culture with a love for music. Nowadays, it is not only famous in Mexico City, it is famous worldwide and is waiting for you to visit it!
Music and Merch: A Paradise for Alternative Fans
If you are a fan of alternative music genres, El Chopo is an unmissable destination. The market is bursting with clothes, vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes, alongside even rarer demo tapes. It is a veritable treasure trove for music collectors.
You will hear elements of punk, goth, industrial, and heavy metal, along with other alternative rock types. Finding a rare record would cost up to $700 pesos. Vintage band tees from The Cure and Joy Division through Iron Maiden or Ramones go for around $100 to $250 pesos. It is the price that mostly ranges at local stalls depending on its rarity and condition.
One of the main attractions at El Chopo is the exclusive merchandise available for fans of both international and local bands. You’ll find unique urban culture t-shirts with designs you won’t see in regular stores, often created by local artists who pour their love for the genre into their work. Some stalls offer custom patches and pins, allowing you to build a personal collection and express your individuality.
The Urban and Underground Culture of El Chopo
El Chopo has an urban and underground spirit, creating a space where subcultures collide and thrive. Goths, punks, metalheads, and fans of alternative rock all roam the stalls, each subculture adding its own flavor to the incredible scene.
This cultural hub offers more than just music and merch. It is a stage for personal expression, with visitors donning striking looks: black lipstick, studded jackets, spiked hair, and ripped jeans are all common sights. It’s not unusual to see locals in outfits reminiscent of 1980s punk fashion, creating an atmosphere that feels like stepping back into the golden age of alternative rock.
Mexico City´s local bands keep the market alive and vibrant, so it is not uncommon to find a live show at El Chopo. Los Esquizitos, Chingadazo de Kung Fu, and Nuclear Chaos are usually the bands filling up the atmosphere sound.
They give a real all-around experience of untamed raw energy. These shows are not only about crowd-pleasers. They also present an opportunity for some up-and-comers to shape a fan base of loyal fans drawn by the underground music community.
Movies, Local Artists, and Iconic Memorabilia
Beyond the music, El Chopo is also a haven for movie buffs and pop culture lovers. Vendors offer rare VHS tapes, DVDs, and posters of cult classics from directors like David Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Hitchcock. This eclectic selection draws cinephiles seeking rare memorabilia, and some vendors even stock hard-to-find horror and sci-fi titles from international and indie filmmakers. There are different prices, with some items going for as little as $50 pesos, while rarer finds can reach more than $500 pesos.
El Chopo is also a place where artists from the scene of Mexico City perform. For screen-printed posters, zines, and comics are often charged with political content or critiques of mainstream society, whilst other elements signal an affiliation to countercultural expression. This creativity somehow extends to the apparel, with t-shirts featuring Mexican punk, gothic, and heavy metal-related images.
A Feast for the Senses: Drinks and Food at El Chopo
Your visit to this place also has to include some of the one-of-a-kind eats and drinks that give this market so much personality. El Chopo has gained a reputation for its distinct non-standard drinks. This is where you will be able to get your hands on traditional pulque. Also, you can try fruity variations of this ancient Mesoamerican fermented agave drink. Pulque is about $40 pesos a glass and is one of the most genuine bits of Mexico you can get.
Beer stalls are also scattered throughout the market, selling Mexican craft brews and more affordable local favorites for around $30 to $50 pesos. Some stalls even sell rare international beers, offering visitors a unique chance to sample brews from around the world. You may also encounter vendors offering micheladas (beer cocktails mixed with lime, salt, and chili). They are a favorite among the locals looking to enjoy a cold, spicy refreshment.
When it comes to food, El Chopo has some street food classics. From tacos al pastor to quesadillas and elotes, the snacks here are as great as the market itself. Most foods cost under $100 pesos, making it easy to enjoy a full experience of the market without breaking the bank. Sound’s delicious, isn’t it?
The El Chopo Experience: A Social Gathering for Outsiders
El Chopo is not just a place to go shopping; it’s the main community of friends who love their own diverse expressions with an alternative flavor. It is an open safe place like no other market. Besides buying cool stuff, El Chopo is a place to hang out where people sit together and share stories along with their common interests. Every Saturday, people from so many different scenes come together, but standing firm in their scene.
Much like many other conventions of this sort, the market is also a space for movements and protests. This activist spirit adds to the allure of El Chopo, where culture and resistance meet. To its regulars, El Chopo represents a resistance of sorts, an assertion that the slower-paced Mexico City counterculture is still intact yet impervious to both time and changing popular fads.
Planning Your Visit to El Chopo
El Chopo is open every Saturday, and visitors are advised to arrive early to experience everything this one-of-a-kind market has to offer. Located near the Buenavista metro station, it’s easily accessible by public transportation. Entry is free, but it’s wise to bring cash, as many stalls don’t accept credit cards.
If you’re a music fan, collector, or just only into artistic movements, this market in Mexico City is perfect for you. You can meet amazing people who share the same tastes as you, learn from others, and find hidden gems. This market is unique in the world, so I guarantee, that if you are looking for a place to feel at home being a rocker, you have to visit this place at least once in your life.
El Chopo is more than a market; from rare records and local band performances to vintage tees and handcrafted goods, it is an entire experience that encapsulates the heart of Mexico City’s alternative community. Remember that you’ve got a punk friend in me!