Gentrification and overtourism also play a part in this.
A nightclub in Mexico City is charging Americans a $300 cover. Japan, located in the city’s artistic Roma Norte district, has gone viral for this policy, receiving support from Mexicans and criticism from the U.S.
In a post written in Spanish, the nightclub stated it doesn’t charge “gringos” (foreigners) extra, but offers discounts to those who need them. The admission cost to the nightclub is about $300. Citizens of any other country receive a 95% discount and pay $20. Students and teachers get 97% off and pay $9. Citizens of Latin American countries and Puerto Rico pay $15 after a 95% discount. However, U.S. citizens receive no discount and pay the full price.
All proceeds from the cover charge go to staff—the nightclub does not keep the money.
The nightclub also clarified that the policy is not rooted in animosity toward Americans as individuals, but is a political statement. “We believe that the citizens of a country YES are the ones who put up and remove governments. We believe in voting, protesting, and field work to achieve these goals and we invite American citizens to take the reins of their country.” The post added that the club appreciates Americans’ contributions to music.
The policy has drawn responses from people on both sides of the border, sparking both negative and positive engagement. The nightclub has continued to explain its stance, saying the move is meant to force conversations about current events.
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Federico Crespo, the nightclub’s owner, told The Guardian that the pricing reflects the relationship between the two countries. “It’s very much a response to the many attacks against Mexico from Trump.”
Last year, President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on Mexico and said the country was run by cartels. In 2016, the president delivered a litany of insults about Mexico. During his second term, he has made disparaging remarks about other countries, calling Somalis “garbage” and India and China “hellhole.”
Japan’s Instagram page also takes a firm stance against extremists. One post mentioned that fascists, racists, zionists, classists, and all those who believe in colonialism and oppression are not welcome. Another post noted that Americans have lost the cultural war, referring to President Trump.
According to Crespo, the policy also responds to the gentrification crisis in the city. “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,” he said.
Residents of Mexico City protested against gentrification and tourism last year. As in cities such as Barcelona and Venice, locals are facing the impact of overtourism and are being priced out of their neighborhoods. Americans and Europeans have moved to Mexico because of rising living costs in their own countries. As a result, rents have increased, and local culture has been diluted, with milder food and menus in English grating on many residents. Protests have expressed resentment for the changing landscape, with calls in Mexico City to keep gringos out.
For these reasons, the city was included in our No List last year.
Related: Fodor’s No List 2026
Around the world, many countries have expressed anger at the U.S. for comments made by the administration and its policies, especially those targeting immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. Canada, traditionally the friendliest neighbor, has distanced itself after unsavory comments made by President Trump.
