Mexicali Live

Different things are important to different people. Some of the reviewers here seem to regard Mexicali Live as primarily as restaurant, and they express disappointment (or worse). I see this place primarily as a music venue that (like most) also has a bar and serves food. I have no complaints about the music, the bar, the service, or the food. The food is indeed several cuts above "bar fare," and yes you are going to pay a little more than if the menu was limited to burgers and fries. On the other hand, you're not going to go broke eating here. I love live music and smaller venues, and places that are willing to book something other than cover bands are pretty rare in Bergen County. Plus, Mexicali Live could not be more convenient for me because it's in my town, so anytime I can go here to see a band rather than, say, Brooklyn, I'll have to put that in the "win" column. I hope Mexicali continues to thrive and that more bands on the tour circuit come to know about it. It's a great place.

Good and inexpensive sangria, food was OK.

GREAT PLACE TO GET YOUR TASTE OF A VARIETY OF BEERS! GUACAMOLE WAS AWESOME AS WELL AS THE ATMOSPHERE FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

!!!SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!! This is one of my regular hangs, mostly for music and drinks, although occasionally we'll get some appetizers or something. For all of the negative reviews I've seen here, from my experience there, which is not negligible- I'll say that I've NEVER had a bad experience there!! The acts they get there are top-flight, just last month I saw Tinsley Ellis AND Les Dudek, and they were BOTH great, altho Les blew the ROOF off the place! Also saw some youngsters who opened for Tinsley that were also pretty amazing, and an insane drummer who was funky as all get-out! And YES, the sound there is impeccable. The staff is always personable to ME, and many of the faves play there time and time again, so I don't think they're having a bad time of it, or they wouldn't come BACK!! They rent the place out for parties, and being so close is GREAT, because I tend to avoid the ridiculous ordeal of going to the city to hear music- so that's a BIG plus for me! I see being a patron for years to come, God willing and if the crik don't rise! SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!

This place seems to be having an identity crisis. They can't decide if they want to be a venue or a restaurant/bar. If I had not bought my ticket in advance, I would have just walked out as soon as I entered. As far as them being considered a venue, it is horrible as one. The stage is about the size of a tiny car. The place is more focused on the restaurant than the stage. The sound quality is the worst I've ever experienced. They do not care about security at all; someone could bring in a knife and hurt the band members, especially since there is no barrier in front of the stage. The best part is the "no moshing" sign they have on the front door. They don't even have security guards, so I'm not sure how they would even stop that. The bands playing spent more time fixing sound issues caused by this place than actually playing. Needless to say, I will not be going back here ever again.