Mandala

We went through a party coordinator through our hotel who recommended Mandala to us. We went on a Saturday night and it was poppin’ — we purchased the general admission ticket ($ 30) because we pregamed + wanted to drink top shelf but ended up joining a table. The drinks made at the bar were strong and didn’t taste watered down as other reviewers have mentioned. Open bar was $ 60 a ticket for rail drinks.
The music was mainstream top 40s but it was good music to dance to. It was crowded, but it wasn’t ridiculously packed like sardines. The bathroom lines moved swiftly. Dress code is casual (it’s Cancun!). Whenever you go in and out of the club, your bracelet gets re-​scanned every time.

I’ve been to Mandala twice now. The first time was in February during the week. That was such a great time, danced our butts off, had a table with a great waiter, the drinks kept coming all night, and they were actually good. It was about $ 50 USD per person, open bar all night.
I just went again with some friends last night… It was a Saturday and I’m sad to say that I was very disappointed with the place. The drinks were really watered down and didn’t really taste like anything that they claimed it was. I wouldn’t go again during a weekend. I might give it one more chance during the week but I’m still a little weary. The weekend cost about $ 60 USD per person.

I have now visited Mandala twice, both times in Cancun, not in Playa del Carmen. The first time was accompanied by a local who was able to get us bottle service for the open bar rate. It was a really fun night and that was something I’ve never been able to experience the likes of at home. We went on a Monday which is, unbeknownst to us at the time, Mandala’s big night, during which they host their famous wet t-​shirt contest. Oh boy! Don’t forget that what happens in Cancun stays in Cancun, except for videos of you dancing around a club like a stripper*. Make smart choices. You have been warned. (*Not from personal experience, just common sense.)
The second time I was there, last week, I went with my boyfriend and it was a Saturday night. There are no extra «shows» or «contests» on Saturdays at Mandala, but that doesn’t make it any less fun! We purchased the open bar entry option and since we got there early (~10:30p), we were seated at a high top table for 2. This was great and was similar to my experience at Dady’O in January. When you are seated at a table in a Cancun club, you are assigned a server. When you have an open bar wristband, said server brings you new drinks before you finish the one you are on. He also brings you random shots throughout the evening. You don’t need to pay extra for bottle service when you get there early and have what is essentially your own private server. (Shout out to Sergio — you were great!)
So all in all — a fun time! Get there early, buy the open bar ticket, get seated at a table with a server, and dance ’til the sun rises!
PS: In response to previous reviews, we didn’t hear a lot of house music, just mainstream pop and hip-​hop that was great to dance to! Maybe it depends on the night?