CONNECT TO THE BEST OF CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
CARTAGENA CONNECTIONS
  • HOME
    • START HERE!
    • BOOK TOURS
    • CHOOSE YOUR TOUR
    • BACHELOR PARTIES
    • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT CARTAGENA
    • OUR SERVICES
    • EVENTS
    • GALLERY
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PAYMENTS
    • CANCELLATION POLICY
    • POLICY SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
    • CONTACT
  • DAY
    • WALKING TOURS
    • STREET FOOD TOUR
    • STREET ART TOUR
    • MERCADO BAZURTO TOUR
    • PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
    • PRIVATE TOUR
    • SHOPPING TOUR
    • BAR TOUR
    • COOKING CLASSES
    • CHIVA TOURS
    • FOODIE EXPERIENCES >
      • COOKING CLASS
      • RUM EXPERIENCE
      • COFFEE
      • ICE CREAM EXPERIENCE
      • COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE
      • CHOCOLATE MUSEUM
      • TOBACCO EXPERIENCE
  • PLAY
    • PRIVATE BOATS
    • ISLAND HOPPING
    • BEACH AND ISLANDS >
      • Bona Vida Catamaran Tours
      • Rosario Islands >
        • PA'UE Rosario Islands
        • Bendita Beach
        • BORA BORA
        • Fragata Island House
        • Isla Coralina
        • Isleta - Rosario Islands
        • LUX ISLAND
      • Baru >
        • SABAI BEACH RESORT
        • Aura Baru
        • Playa Blanca
        • Nena Beach Playa Blanca
        • Banana Beach
        • Isla Baru Playa Manglares
      • Tierra Bomba >
        • MARLIN BEACH CLUB
        • Blue Apple Beach House
        • Eteka Beach
        • FENIX BEACH
        • Namaste Beach
    • PRIVATE ISLANDS
    • VOLCANO & MANGROVE TOURS
    • BOAT TOURS >
      • Bona Vida Catamaran Tours
    • LA BOQUILLA TOURS
    • AVIARY
    • PALENQUE TOUR
    • HORSERIDING
    • HIKING
    • PARAGLIDING
    • YOGA
    • WILDLIFE ADVENTURE
    • DANCE CLASSES
    • SAILING
    • MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR
    • BAY TOURS
    • DIVING
    • FISHING
    • ATV
    • WATERSPORTS
    • SKYDIVING
    • KAYAK
    • BEACH DAY CLUBS >
      • Amare Beach Club
      • Wala Beach Club
      • NAMASTE BEACH
      • NENA BEACH PLAYA BLANCA
      • Banana Beach
  • STAY
    • ACCOMMODATION >
      • PRIVATE ROOMS
      • PRIVATE VILLAS
      • ISLANDS >
        • TIERRA BLANCA ISLAND HOUSE
        • LAS ISLAS HOTEL
        • ISLA MATAMBA
        • BLUE APPLE BEACH HOTEL
    • COWORKING
    • LEARN SPANISH
    • VOLUNTEER
  • PAY
    • PAY US
    • SHOPPING >
      • WHAT TO BUY
      • LA SERREZUELA
    • BUY ART
    • BUY PROPERTY
  • SAY
    • THE BEST >
      • BEST BARS
      • BEST BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH
      • BEST RESTAURANTS
      • BEST FOOD TO TRY
      • BEST LIVE MUSIC
    • BARS >
      • Alquimico
      • El Baron
      • Bazurto Social Club
      • Bonche Gastrobar
      • Cafe Havana
      • Calle Adentro
      • Demente Tapas Bar
      • Mondo
      • La Jugada
      • Eivissa
      • The Clock Pub
      • Media Luna Hostel
      • La Movida
      • Manglar GastroBar
      • Tertulia
      • Townhouse
    • WHAT'S ON >
      • WILD BRUNCH
      • New Years Eve
      • Film Festival
      • LGBQT
      • EVENTS JANUARY
    • RESTAURANTS >
      • Alquimico
      • El Baron
      • Carmen
      • Manglar GastroBar
      • Salon Tropical
      • Cocina de Pepina
      • Demente Tapas Bar
      • Don Juan
      • La Mulata
    • CAFES >
      • Al Alma
      • EPOCA CAFE
    • BLOG
    • PEOPLE WE LOVE
    • PAGES WE LOVE
    • IN THE NEWS
    • FAQs
  • STRAY
    • PANAMA
    • MINCA
    • SANTA MARTA

CARTAGENA NIGHTLIFE: TOP BARS AND CLUBS

30/8/2013

7 Comments

 
Picture
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.

7 Comments
jon
25/2/2014 10:39:48 am

Myself and a few Canadian buddies are looking for a good place to hit up tonight, a Tuesday.. please tell me there's somewhere worth going? Even though it's not high season? Lol be our tour guide

Reply
Mike
17/4/2014 04:42:34 am

Hi,

Do you have contact info for El Cielo bar? I am interested in hosting a party on their rooftop as well next month.

Thanks!!

Reply
Matt
16/7/2014 01:15:08 pm

I have to say...of all the research I have done to find good nightlife, this is BY FAR the best and most comprehensive coverage I have found! I only wish you had done the same thing for Medellin and Bogota! Great writing too by the way

Reply
Kristy
16/7/2014 01:58:36 pm

Oops! Just noticing a few posts on here.. sorry for my slackness! Thanks for the props Matt! There's actually been quite a few new bars open recently. . I've got some more reviews under SAY / BARS. If you do go anywhere you've seen on my site it would be great if you tell them Cartagena Connections sent you. Then maybe nectar time I'm there they'll give me a free drink.

Reply
Alexander Kloble link
2/10/2014 02:44:40 am

I can recommend La Vitrola. La Vitrola is a restaurant and bar. At the evenings there is live music and the seafood there is absolutely well prepared.

Reply
Alexandra
3/5/2018 11:36:39 am

Hi. I want to know maybe some place/s just for girls with stripers and music, we want celebrate a bachelor party.😊

Reply
Poesias Escritores Bauruenses link
13/2/2024 09:14:03 pm

Veery creative post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    AUTHOR

    A collection of musings, insights and experiences gathered by an energetic and enthusiastic Australian girl loving life in Cartagena, Colombia.

    Archives

    December 2023
    October 2023
    May 2023
    December 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    December 2018
    October 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    August 2016
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Annoying Stuff
    Beach
    Breakfast
    Cartagena
    Champeta
    Cheap
    Covid 19
    Covid-19
    Events
    Festivals
    Food
    Getsemani
    Give Back
    Halloween
    Islands
    Local Advice
    Music
    Open-air
    Postcard
    Shopping
    Social Distancing
    Souvenir
    Things To Do
    Top Picks

    RSS Feed

About us

About Cartagena Connections
About Us



OUR SERVICES

Tours in Cartagena
Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Activities in Cartagena
Package stays in Cartagena
Events in Cartagena

LOCAL INSIGHTS

Read our insider blog to learn about the best restaurants, bars, beaches and activities in Cartagena.

We're Social

Like us, follow us, brag to your friends that you're going to Cartagena!
Copyright 2013 | Cartagena Connections | Manga, Calle 26 #15-45, Edificio Espinosa, Cartagena de Indias | [email protected]