Mexico City hospitality sector faces widespread discrimination

A study by the Council to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination (Copred) has revealed that discrimination remains a daily occurrence in Mexico City's restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs. Between 2023 and 2025, 48 formal complaints were processed, though officials noted that many incidents go unreported because victims have normalized the mistreatment.

The most targeted groups include Indigenous people, individuals with darker skin tones, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and obese individuals. Women also face discrimination, often being treated as companions rather than independent customers. Forms of bias range from overt denial of entry to subtle behaviors, such as providing incomplete menus, omitting promotions, or ignoring customers with disabilities by speaking only to their companions.

Copred technical secretary Marisela Hernández noted that these practices discourage patronage. In response, Jack Sourasky, president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (CANIRAC) in Mexico City, stated that the right of admission must never be used as a pretext for discrimination and emphasized the need for staff training, particularly in small and medium-sized businesses.