UPDATED 2023
Want to know where to shimmy and shake, shmooze and booze in Cartagena?
During high-season (Nov-Jan) EVERYWHERE is good.. but the rest of the time Cartagena's diminutive population means it can be a bit difficult to find a place that's pumping. And if it's Monday or Tuesday, pretty much impossible.
If you want to get your party on.. these are the most reliable picks.
ALQUIMICO
Super cool space that's a feast for the senses. Colombia's best ranked bar -- coming in at number 10 on the World 50 Best rankings in 2022 and also winning Most Sustainable Bar in 2020. Amazing square bar as the focal feature. Great vibe when it's busy, easy-going hang-out when it's not. 3 levels with different cocktail menu on each. Entirely vegetarian/vegan food menu which was created by the team from Celele (it's really good!). Really fun DJs. Friday and Saturdays can mean big lines to get in.. to avoid, book an early table for dinner for guaranteed entry and stay as things warm up. It's worth it!
LA MOVIDA
The really expensive drinks end up seeming like good value considering the quality of the people, the music and party you'll encounter here. On Friday and Saturday nights everyone invariably ends up at La Movida from midnight onwards. It's playground for Colombia's rich and beautiful but without pretension. Open 7 days [pictured above]. The two main zones are electronica (outdoor patio) and crossover (inside aircon). Groups (especially bachelor) are best to book a table. Contact us and we can go through the options.
If you like this you'll also like La Jugada
EL BARON
Cartagena's first real cocktail bar, El Baron is what happens when perfectionists create the most perfect small bar experience. Super knowledgeable, creative and talented barkeep, led by the formidable and oh-so-lovely Luna deliver the best quality cocktails you will find in Cartagena. There's also an excellent winelist. And the food has us coming back week after week. Mezcal lovers should not miss The Press Box cocktail.
MONDO
Another winner in the small but exceedingly satisfying category is the local favourite Mondo. Ideally located a few doors down from Alquimico, you'll feel right at home almost immediately thanks to the warm energy of lead bartenders Joe (aka Chatty Joe) and Juan Camilo. The space is intimate and inviting, perfect mood lighting and candles and the type of bar vibe where you end up making friends with all your drinking neighbours. But wait, there's more! A secret upstairs bar that goes by the evocative name of Slow Death. Definitely worse ways to go.
CAFE HAVANA
There's no denying the awesome salsa ambiance and amazing live music of this chunk of Cuba in Cartagena. The entry price may seem pretty hefty, but when you consider the quality and quantity of the live musicians performing, it will seem cheap. Try and grab a table or bar spot with a good view of both the stage and the dancefloor in front.
If you like this, you'll also like Tertulia and Quiebracanto
SEVEN7 TIMES
Wow. Talk about ambitious. The biggest club on the Colombian coast, and featuring up to 5 different live music zones, Seven7 Times is all about entertainment. The main stage is dedicated to Cabaret performances (starting from 11pm), the front downstairs zone is for Vallenato and Ballads with a saloon-like ambience. Middle level you will find Salon Tropical with live salsa and also Urban with reggaeton and Champeta. Upstairs on the rooftop is electronica. Entry price is 60,000 pesos and if you want a dedicated table, you will also need to commit to a minimum spend. Bookings are recommended and can be made through us.
CASA CRUXADA
Still not totally taking off during the week, weekends at Casa Cruxada are a different story, especially when special invited guest DJs are on the roster. For electronica lovers, this is your best chance to find really good EDM in Cartagena. The outside patio is also lots of fun with Dancehall, Soca, Champeta and Afrobeats. Really great food menu. Very cool indoor/outdoor space.
TOWNHOUSE/MEMBERS ONLY
Start on the Townhouse rooftop for sunset drinks and delicious drinking food (everyone's favourite nachos) then when the sun goes down, make your way to the ground-level bar for excellent live music (of the Jazz/American songbook variety).
CALLEJÓN ANCHO - Club de Carpinteros + Donde La Niña
Probably should have moved this to the top of the list because my actual favourite bar in Cartagena is actually the entire street of Callejón Ancho in Getsemaní. And it's not just me. The vibrant street-drinking has even been featured in the recent New York Times 36 Hours in Cartagena article (ahem, so were we #plug). It's truly the most authentically local and enjoyable vibe with the cheapest drink prices imaginable. I recommend the passionfruit mojitos (normally priced at 2 for 20,000 pesos) or stick to the refreshing local beer costeñitas. I'll normally choose to drink at Donde La Niña (the coolest matriarchy in Cartagena) or Club de Carpinteros.. but wherever you can score a table will be good.
CLOCK PUB
For those that prefer guitars and drums, this is your bar. It's also the best option for viewing an array of televised sporting events. Thursday night Karaoke with live band is always a hit with locals and visitors alike.
If you like this, you'll also like Hard Rock Cafe
.. and because I am incapable of sticking to 10 in any of these lists..
TROPICAL WAFFLES
The most magical bar, Tropical Waffles (and can we talk about the name?!) opened amidst covid lockdowns of 2020 as a genuine speakeasy. Potential clients use to have to hold their mobile phone torch up to the pineapple window decal to illuminate it for the inside doorman to know they were legit. Fun!! Since then it has grown into an underground favourite amongst locals and those we deem worthy enough to tell. It's open laaaate and the saying: Bad decisions make the best stories, could have been coined especially for this bar and its head bartender/founder El Diablo. The cocktails are VERY good but it's the surprise factor and delicious naughtiness of it all that makes it so appealing.
It's found out of town (about 10 minutes in taxi) in a neighbourhood called Marbella. It's an indistinct store-front with excellent soundproofing that will have you questioning, "am I in the right place?" You are. Enjoy the ride.
If you like this you'll also like Barra 7 (seriously go to Barra 7 too)
LA CAPONERA
It's open every night til very late so is sometimes the only option for schoolnight shenanigans. The prices are cheap, the decor is kitschy cool and they play all the best salsa songs to get you dancing. It's also great for people watching folk on their way to and from the old town. I call it my favourite dive-bar in the most affectionate way imaginable.
If you like this you'll also like Donde Fidel
PLAZA TRINIDAD
Ok.. so it's not exactly a bar, but in a town that encourages public drinking, Plaza Trinidad may as well be one. Buy your booze (rum, aguardiente, beers etc) in the corner store, find a spot on the concrete benches or stone steps of the church and people-watch to your heart's content. There's also live musical performances and fire-twirling from travelling hippies, public zumba, kids playing futbol and men playing chess to keep you amused. There's also the largest array of food-carts selling food to soak up all the imbibing: hamburgers and hotdogs that will redefine your concepts of fast food, patacones, burritos, juices, arepas etc etc
If you like this, you'll also like Plaza San Diego
DONDE PACHO
For afternoon beers or a cheeky vino, I love Donde Pacho's relaxed space. It's also one of my favourite spots to watch the futbol. Donde Pacho is actually an imported food, wine, liquor store with an outside paved terrace. You can buy wine, american candies (baby ruth? butterfingers?) and imported asian sauces etc.
If you like this you'll also like Esquina del Orchidea, Los Ultimos Mojicos, Donde El Che
ROOFTOP BARS: EL MIRADOR, MOVICH, CAFE DEL MAR, 51 SKY BAR, BOTIKA
HOTEL BARS: EL CORO, ALMA,
BAZURTO SOCIAL CLUB
Cool and colourful decor reminiscent of the boisterous Mercado Bazurto, playing equally colourful coastal champeta music live Wednesday to Saturday. And the crab empanadas are exceptional.
If you like this you'll also like Awa Coco and Central Antillana.
Want to know where to shimmy and shake, shmooze and booze in Cartagena?
During high-season (Nov-Jan) EVERYWHERE is good.. but the rest of the time Cartagena's diminutive population means it can be a bit difficult to find a place that's pumping. And if it's Monday or Tuesday, pretty much impossible.
If you want to get your party on.. these are the most reliable picks.
ALQUIMICO
Super cool space that's a feast for the senses. Colombia's best ranked bar -- coming in at number 10 on the World 50 Best rankings in 2022 and also winning Most Sustainable Bar in 2020. Amazing square bar as the focal feature. Great vibe when it's busy, easy-going hang-out when it's not. 3 levels with different cocktail menu on each. Entirely vegetarian/vegan food menu which was created by the team from Celele (it's really good!). Really fun DJs. Friday and Saturdays can mean big lines to get in.. to avoid, book an early table for dinner for guaranteed entry and stay as things warm up. It's worth it!
LA MOVIDA
The really expensive drinks end up seeming like good value considering the quality of the people, the music and party you'll encounter here. On Friday and Saturday nights everyone invariably ends up at La Movida from midnight onwards. It's playground for Colombia's rich and beautiful but without pretension. Open 7 days [pictured above]. The two main zones are electronica (outdoor patio) and crossover (inside aircon). Groups (especially bachelor) are best to book a table. Contact us and we can go through the options.
If you like this you'll also like La Jugada
EL BARON
Cartagena's first real cocktail bar, El Baron is what happens when perfectionists create the most perfect small bar experience. Super knowledgeable, creative and talented barkeep, led by the formidable and oh-so-lovely Luna deliver the best quality cocktails you will find in Cartagena. There's also an excellent winelist. And the food has us coming back week after week. Mezcal lovers should not miss The Press Box cocktail.
MONDO
Another winner in the small but exceedingly satisfying category is the local favourite Mondo. Ideally located a few doors down from Alquimico, you'll feel right at home almost immediately thanks to the warm energy of lead bartenders Joe (aka Chatty Joe) and Juan Camilo. The space is intimate and inviting, perfect mood lighting and candles and the type of bar vibe where you end up making friends with all your drinking neighbours. But wait, there's more! A secret upstairs bar that goes by the evocative name of Slow Death. Definitely worse ways to go.
CAFE HAVANA
There's no denying the awesome salsa ambiance and amazing live music of this chunk of Cuba in Cartagena. The entry price may seem pretty hefty, but when you consider the quality and quantity of the live musicians performing, it will seem cheap. Try and grab a table or bar spot with a good view of both the stage and the dancefloor in front.
If you like this, you'll also like Tertulia and Quiebracanto
SEVEN7 TIMES
Wow. Talk about ambitious. The biggest club on the Colombian coast, and featuring up to 5 different live music zones, Seven7 Times is all about entertainment. The main stage is dedicated to Cabaret performances (starting from 11pm), the front downstairs zone is for Vallenato and Ballads with a saloon-like ambience. Middle level you will find Salon Tropical with live salsa and also Urban with reggaeton and Champeta. Upstairs on the rooftop is electronica. Entry price is 60,000 pesos and if you want a dedicated table, you will also need to commit to a minimum spend. Bookings are recommended and can be made through us.
CASA CRUXADA
Still not totally taking off during the week, weekends at Casa Cruxada are a different story, especially when special invited guest DJs are on the roster. For electronica lovers, this is your best chance to find really good EDM in Cartagena. The outside patio is also lots of fun with Dancehall, Soca, Champeta and Afrobeats. Really great food menu. Very cool indoor/outdoor space.
TOWNHOUSE/MEMBERS ONLY
Start on the Townhouse rooftop for sunset drinks and delicious drinking food (everyone's favourite nachos) then when the sun goes down, make your way to the ground-level bar for excellent live music (of the Jazz/American songbook variety).
CALLEJÓN ANCHO - Club de Carpinteros + Donde La Niña
Probably should have moved this to the top of the list because my actual favourite bar in Cartagena is actually the entire street of Callejón Ancho in Getsemaní. And it's not just me. The vibrant street-drinking has even been featured in the recent New York Times 36 Hours in Cartagena article (ahem, so were we #plug). It's truly the most authentically local and enjoyable vibe with the cheapest drink prices imaginable. I recommend the passionfruit mojitos (normally priced at 2 for 20,000 pesos) or stick to the refreshing local beer costeñitas. I'll normally choose to drink at Donde La Niña (the coolest matriarchy in Cartagena) or Club de Carpinteros.. but wherever you can score a table will be good.
CLOCK PUB
For those that prefer guitars and drums, this is your bar. It's also the best option for viewing an array of televised sporting events. Thursday night Karaoke with live band is always a hit with locals and visitors alike.
If you like this, you'll also like Hard Rock Cafe
.. and because I am incapable of sticking to 10 in any of these lists..
TROPICAL WAFFLES
The most magical bar, Tropical Waffles (and can we talk about the name?!) opened amidst covid lockdowns of 2020 as a genuine speakeasy. Potential clients use to have to hold their mobile phone torch up to the pineapple window decal to illuminate it for the inside doorman to know they were legit. Fun!! Since then it has grown into an underground favourite amongst locals and those we deem worthy enough to tell. It's open laaaate and the saying: Bad decisions make the best stories, could have been coined especially for this bar and its head bartender/founder El Diablo. The cocktails are VERY good but it's the surprise factor and delicious naughtiness of it all that makes it so appealing.
It's found out of town (about 10 minutes in taxi) in a neighbourhood called Marbella. It's an indistinct store-front with excellent soundproofing that will have you questioning, "am I in the right place?" You are. Enjoy the ride.
If you like this you'll also like Barra 7 (seriously go to Barra 7 too)
LA CAPONERA
It's open every night til very late so is sometimes the only option for schoolnight shenanigans. The prices are cheap, the decor is kitschy cool and they play all the best salsa songs to get you dancing. It's also great for people watching folk on their way to and from the old town. I call it my favourite dive-bar in the most affectionate way imaginable.
If you like this you'll also like Donde Fidel
PLAZA TRINIDAD
Ok.. so it's not exactly a bar, but in a town that encourages public drinking, Plaza Trinidad may as well be one. Buy your booze (rum, aguardiente, beers etc) in the corner store, find a spot on the concrete benches or stone steps of the church and people-watch to your heart's content. There's also live musical performances and fire-twirling from travelling hippies, public zumba, kids playing futbol and men playing chess to keep you amused. There's also the largest array of food-carts selling food to soak up all the imbibing: hamburgers and hotdogs that will redefine your concepts of fast food, patacones, burritos, juices, arepas etc etc
If you like this, you'll also like Plaza San Diego
DONDE PACHO
For afternoon beers or a cheeky vino, I love Donde Pacho's relaxed space. It's also one of my favourite spots to watch the futbol. Donde Pacho is actually an imported food, wine, liquor store with an outside paved terrace. You can buy wine, american candies (baby ruth? butterfingers?) and imported asian sauces etc.
If you like this you'll also like Esquina del Orchidea, Los Ultimos Mojicos, Donde El Che
ROOFTOP BARS: EL MIRADOR, MOVICH, CAFE DEL MAR, 51 SKY BAR, BOTIKA
HOTEL BARS: EL CORO, ALMA,
BAZURTO SOCIAL CLUB
Cool and colourful decor reminiscent of the boisterous Mercado Bazurto, playing equally colourful coastal champeta music live Wednesday to Saturday. And the crab empanadas are exceptional.
If you like this you'll also like Awa Coco and Central Antillana.
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