A nightclub in Mexico City’s popular Roma Norte neighborhood is going viral after posting about its cover charges, which are heavily discounted for non-Americans.
In an Instagram post translated from Spanish to English, Japan CDMX stated its general admission fee is $5,000 Mexican pesos per person. As of this reporting, the currency converts to $290.24 USD. The post further disclosed which individuals are exempt from paying the steep fee due to their eligibility for discounts. A controversial catch, reduced admission fees are available to everyone except Americans wanting to enter the venue.
A portion of the post states, “The general admission fee is $5,000. U.S. citizens are not eligible for a discount. Citizens of any other country in the world receive a 93% discount and pay $350 ($20.32 USD). Citizens of Mexico and other Latin American countries (including Puerto Rico) receive a 95% discount and pay $250 ($14.51 USD). Students and teachers from all over the world receive a 97% discount and pay $150 ($8.71 USD).”
“We would like to remind you that it is not that ‘we charge Americans more,’ but rather that we offer discounts to those who need them,” the beginning of the post noted.
Why Is Japan CDMX’s Cover Charge For Americans Significant?
The late April post’s caption noted that each cover paid by an American is distributed among Japan CDMX’s staff and does not go towards the club itself.
Japan CDMX additionally shared in a May 6 post that a high entry fee isn’t a direct attack on Mexico’s visiting northern neighbors. Instead of the primary purpose being to dissuade American tourists, the nightclub explained that the cover charge is more of a stance to raise awareness and prompt American citizens’ engagement in their country’s political affairs. In the caption, Japan CDMX said, “This policy in NO WAY responds toward animosity or any negative sentiment towards American citizens as INDIVIDUALS. This is a political positioning.” The nightclub added that its controversial measure “seems like the only way to FORCE a conversation.”
“We believe that the citizens of a country 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 club stated. “We deeply appreciate the contributions that culture in the U.S. has made to the world of music: jazz, hip-hop, house, techno, and others are part of our DNA, and we recognize it.”
“We hope that very soon all this happens and we can dance far, far away from politics. Meanwhile, here we are.”
