BEST LIVE MUSIC SPOTS
To get a true understanding of Cartagena, you have to connect to the music. Everything here, from the food laden carts pushed through the streets, to the sports games, the plazas, the transport, to the people; everything moves with music.
You can find a musical decoupage of styles and sounds overlapping in all corners of the city; folkloric music in the plazas, vallenato blaring from well-used radios in traditional neighbourhoods, reggaeton accompanying bocagrande beach sessions, your taxi driver singing along to his fave champeta, and, in recent years it's become difficult to move without a bevvy of freelance rappers and singers arriving to serenade you as you attempt to walk the streets of centro (whether you want them to or not).
But for dedicated live music venues, here's the best places to go.
** This is an updated list as of July 2021. Unfortunately some of our most favourite venues (Cafe Havana, Bazurto Social Club, Crazy Salsa) did not survive the 2020 covid restrictions. Gone, but not forgotten. Crying emoji.
RESTAURANTS
a LOT of restaurants in Cartagena will invest in live music to ensure a vibrant ambience for their diners. Some good options include:
Juan del Mar, Candé, San Nicolas, San Valentin and La Vitrola.
BARS
You can find a musical decoupage of styles and sounds overlapping in all corners of the city; folkloric music in the plazas, vallenato blaring from well-used radios in traditional neighbourhoods, reggaeton accompanying bocagrande beach sessions, your taxi driver singing along to his fave champeta, and, in recent years it's become difficult to move without a bevvy of freelance rappers and singers arriving to serenade you as you attempt to walk the streets of centro (whether you want them to or not).
But for dedicated live music venues, here's the best places to go.
** This is an updated list as of July 2021. Unfortunately some of our most favourite venues (Cafe Havana, Bazurto Social Club, Crazy Salsa) did not survive the 2020 covid restrictions. Gone, but not forgotten. Crying emoji.
RESTAURANTS
a LOT of restaurants in Cartagena will invest in live music to ensure a vibrant ambience for their diners. Some good options include:
Juan del Mar, Candé, San Nicolas, San Valentin and La Vitrola.
BARS
TERTULIA
MUSIC: SALSA
Calle Media Luna, Getsemaní
Stepping in to fill the enormous shoes vacated by the legendary Cafe Havana, Tertulia has an awesome vibe, a decor faithful to all things Cartagena (photos of local personalities and a wall dedicated to the most local slang), and a jamming live salsa band. Owner Yorsi was the former manager of Cafe Havana, so he definitely knows what he is doing. In our opinion, everyone should include at least one night at Tertulia as part of their Cartagena stay. Also check our description of Tertulia here. The cover is 20,000 pesos which is used to pay for the live music, and since the band often includes up to 8 members, supporting all those musicians is, in my opinion, a super worthy $6(ish).
MUSIC: SALSA
Calle Media Luna, Getsemaní
Stepping in to fill the enormous shoes vacated by the legendary Cafe Havana, Tertulia has an awesome vibe, a decor faithful to all things Cartagena (photos of local personalities and a wall dedicated to the most local slang), and a jamming live salsa band. Owner Yorsi was the former manager of Cafe Havana, so he definitely knows what he is doing. In our opinion, everyone should include at least one night at Tertulia as part of their Cartagena stay. Also check our description of Tertulia here. The cover is 20,000 pesos which is used to pay for the live music, and since the band often includes up to 8 members, supporting all those musicians is, in my opinion, a super worthy $6(ish).
MEMBERS ONLY
MUSIC: JAZZ
Townhouse Boutique Hotel, ground level
The people behind Member's Only, the candlelit and moody downstairs New-York speakeasy-vibed bar located in Townhouse Boutique Hotel, have a history of creating things they couldn't find in Cartagena, and the locals love them for it. Believe it or not, although Cartageneros love the traditional music classified as latin, they also have missed not being able to enjoy live music of other genres, simply because tourists dictate what is played. In this case they have created a Jazz and burlesque night and it's truly amazing. The most discerning and fussy of international visitors have been blown away by the talent of the house band: MOtown and the burlesque show starring smoking hot Laura is sensational. Add in the city's best sushi and you have an incredibly unique and non-touristy Cartagena experience. The space is small and reservations are highly recommended. Send a whatsapp message to +57 302 330 7376
Read more about the bars of Townhouse here.
MUSIC: JAZZ
Townhouse Boutique Hotel, ground level
The people behind Member's Only, the candlelit and moody downstairs New-York speakeasy-vibed bar located in Townhouse Boutique Hotel, have a history of creating things they couldn't find in Cartagena, and the locals love them for it. Believe it or not, although Cartageneros love the traditional music classified as latin, they also have missed not being able to enjoy live music of other genres, simply because tourists dictate what is played. In this case they have created a Jazz and burlesque night and it's truly amazing. The most discerning and fussy of international visitors have been blown away by the talent of the house band: MOtown and the burlesque show starring smoking hot Laura is sensational. Add in the city's best sushi and you have an incredibly unique and non-touristy Cartagena experience. The space is small and reservations are highly recommended. Send a whatsapp message to +57 302 330 7376
Read more about the bars of Townhouse here.
CALLE ADENTRO
MUSIC: CHAMPETA
Calle Media Luna, Getsemani
There is a hole in my heart that once was filled by the joyous, colourful, vibrant bar known as Bazurto Social Club; pioneers in the celebration of live champeta. I live in hope it will one day return in the future, but in the meantime, Calle Adentro has opened with a cool, open-air patio and amazing talented live champeta bands. And since Champeta is music born and bred in Cartagena, and since it's unlikely you'll ever be able to see a live champeta band anywhere else in the world, this is probably a must-do experience while you are in Cartagena.. especially if you are a music lover. Our Calle Adentro description is here.
MUSIC: CHAMPETA
Calle Media Luna, Getsemani
There is a hole in my heart that once was filled by the joyous, colourful, vibrant bar known as Bazurto Social Club; pioneers in the celebration of live champeta. I live in hope it will one day return in the future, but in the meantime, Calle Adentro has opened with a cool, open-air patio and amazing talented live champeta bands. And since Champeta is music born and bred in Cartagena, and since it's unlikely you'll ever be able to see a live champeta band anywhere else in the world, this is probably a must-do experience while you are in Cartagena.. especially if you are a music lover. Our Calle Adentro description is here.
CLOCK PUB
MUSIC: ROCK
2 locations: Calle San Andres, Getsemani + Plaza de los Coches (near clock tower), Centro
For those who were born to rock'n'roll, we have the rock focused bands at both locations of the Clock Pub. Both venues feature outdoor, open-air patios, a wide selection of on-tap beer, comfort food like buffalo wings and, importantly for this list, regular live music. Current schedule includes live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 8.30pm. The super fun karaoke (with live band) sessions are from 8.30pm on Thursdays. For more info, see our longer description here.
MUSIC: ROCK
2 locations: Calle San Andres, Getsemani + Plaza de los Coches (near clock tower), Centro
For those who were born to rock'n'roll, we have the rock focused bands at both locations of the Clock Pub. Both venues feature outdoor, open-air patios, a wide selection of on-tap beer, comfort food like buffalo wings and, importantly for this list, regular live music. Current schedule includes live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 8.30pm. The super fun karaoke (with live band) sessions are from 8.30pm on Thursdays. For more info, see our longer description here.
VUELTA BAJERO
MUSIC: SALSA
Calle Media Luna, Getsemani
MUSIC: SALSA
Calle Media Luna, Getsemani
QUIEBRACANTO
MUSIC: SALSA
Camellon de los Martires, Second level, Getsemani
MUSIC: SALSA
Camellon de los Martires, Second level, Getsemani
LEON DE BAVIARIA
MUSIC: ROCK
Calle Arsenal, Getsemani
MUSIC: ROCK
Calle Arsenal, Getsemani
OTHER:
LA BOQUILLA DRUMMING CIRCLE
BLUE APPLE MONTHLY MUSIC FEST
LA BOQUILLA DRUMMING CIRCLE
BLUE APPLE MONTHLY MUSIC FEST