We spent three nights in Sayulita last month, and hit YamBak three times, along with what seemed like the rest of the town. I'm surprised it doesn't have a Yelp presence, as it was clearly the most happening bar on that little downtown square.
YamBak was at a corner of the square, right next do Don Pato. It was a sizable place, with a narrow front bar area and a larger back room with a dance floor and another bar. The decor was simple and inviting, contemporary in a way that might as well have been tailored to American millennial travelers. We spent most of our time in the front room, which was open to the street and really continued out onto the cobblestones and the square. I liked this about the square bars--outside, they kind of melted together, so that the whole area felt like one mass of revelers. I only went through the back room to get to the bathroom, and it was hot and crowded, much less my thing.
We visited at different times of night, and it stayed pretty calm until 10 or 11, then got loud and packed. It was always pleasant, though, particularly when we were able to get seats at the bar. Service was friendly and fast. I loved the bartender who took care of us most of the time, a sweet kid who I doubt was old enough to drink, but could still recommend mezcal like a pro. The crowd was fun and not too rowdy--we were eight women and two men, and none of us got creeped on too hard. There was an old dude who kept buying us all drinks, but I think he was just reliving his youth. Lots of tourists, American, Mexican, and other, I'm sure, all having a good time.
The drinks were excellent. YamBak does a passionfruit margarita with real passionfruit, and it's absolutely delicious, refreshing and tart, the liquor thickened with seeds and pulp. I also enjoyed the cilantro margarita, cool and flavorful with a spicy kick. Our group took several tequila shots, and I sipped on shots of mezcal, which came with grasshopper salt and slivers of orange. The mezcal was wonderful--I drank Amores mezcal, on the bartender's say-so--smokey and smooth, great with the spicy salt and sweet orange. Each shot was 80 pesos, so a little over $4, and that was more expensive than the cocktails.
I had a blast in Sayulita, and YamBak played a big role in my enjoyment of the nightlife. If this place were in L.A. with those prices (impossible, I know), I'd drink there every weekend. I look forward to going back should I make another trip to Sayulita. read more