Some of the best city views in Cabo San Lucas can be found at Rockstone Tavern & Eatery, a popular new restaurant, sports bar and live music venue that opened in 2013 above the Italian eatery Pan di Bacco, located at the juncture of the downtown district’s two main thoroughfares.

Huge windows open outward, offering looks straight down a wide, palm-lined boulevard that's straddled by some of Cabo’s most notable late-night hot spots. On weekend nights, Rockstone’s patrons can sip beer or cocktails at window-facing stools against a backdrop of flashing car lights and scantily clad crowds spilling out of Pink Kitty, Mandala, Baja Junkie, El Squid Roe and Knotty Social Club.

Rockstone Tavern & Eatery features scenic views of the palm-lined boulevard that houses many of Cabo San Lucas' best bars and clubs — Photo courtesy of Rockstone Tavern & Eatery

It’s a perfect snapshot of the city’s vibrant nightlife scene, although beyond proximity and boisterous crowds, Rockstone has little in common with neighbor clubs that specialize in DJs, dance music and VIP bottle service. It’s a rock and roll club, at heart, with a rock and roll aesthetic. The stairway entrance winds amidst hundreds of photos of hard rocking performers, and the first sight upon reaching the landing is a giant mural of Pink Floyd’s The Wall album cover.

The décor is a bit more stylish than Los Cabos-based live music venues like Cabo Wabo Cantina (founded by former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar) and Rock & Brews (the brainchild of Kiss members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley), but all three share a penchant for rock star memorabilia and comfort food-focused menus filled with dishes named for bands or classic rock songs.

Appetizers at Rockstone include, for example, “Start Me Up” chips and salsa, “Megadeath” nachos and “White Zombie” quesadillas. It’s all a bit kitschy, but in good fun, and the burgers are among the best in town. The kitchen has recently rolled out a line of gourmet hamburgers, the best of which - like the Philly and Baja burgers - showcase a bit of regional flavor. Menu highlghts also include bottled offerings from Baja Brewing Company, the state’s first microbrewery.

Rockstone opened in 2013, the same year as its downstairs neighbor, Italian-style deli and bakery Pan di Bacco — Photo courtesy of Rockstone Tavern & Eatery

Late-night revelry remains Rockstone’s stock in trade, however, fueled by live music from regional performers like Brian Flynn and Los Rancheros Tristes. The latter, whose name means "The Sad Ranchers," play on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. They feature set lists that range from Mexican favorites to classic rock and roll standards.

By day, Rockstone is more a sports bar and restaurant than rock and roll palace. It’s one of the best downtown hangouts for visiting football fans, with cheap beer and food specials on Sundays and Mondays, the peak times for NFL consumption. Half-price appetizers and $1 drafts are offered all day long on Sundays, with $1 drafts and half-price discounts on the entire menu on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Similar budget-friendly deals are offered throughout the week.