Staying in a small hotel, the main perk is a comfortable atmosphere where it’s easy to meet others. Among my new friends was a family who come to Playa at least yearly--and they enthusiastically put together a group to go see Grady at "the Gringo Bar."
Grady is an American ex-pat who plays nightly for tips at this great tiny bar off the main drag in Playa. Grady once played with John Prine and Steve Goodman and lived in Nashville before booze and drugs limited his prospects and he landed in Mexico. He has a Willie Nelson/Jerry Jeff Walker way about him and is a real joy to hear. He plays guitar and friends playing bass or fiddle with him.
Music starts promptly at 8pm and ends very close to 11pm on the dot. There is just nothing like great live music in a little out-of-the-way place. And Grady is such a sweet man; he creates a fine mood. It was hard to find the actual name since everyone calls it "the Gringo Bar," but truth be told, it’s Uncle Dave's on 10th Avenue. It’s always crowded, but very relaxed and comfortable.