NEW YEARS EVE FEASTS AND FIESTAS
Yeah! NYE in Cartagena! Flights have been booked, accommodation arranged. And now.. to plan the party! But this is where things can get confusing.
As a veteran of 4 New Years Eves in Cartagena, including hosting what was unanimously (** ahem, unverified) considered to be the best NYE party of 2015, I feel like I am in a good position to help you all navigate through the best options.
First of all, for the most part there seems to be 2 separate parties. The first, is a more intimate eating party that leads up to the midnight countdown (often featuring grapes), the second starts after midnight and is more club and crazy. There are a few exceptions of places that are good as a 2-4-1 all night eat, drink and be merry caper.. but generally the real party doesn't start until midnight.
Second, things aren't cheap. At all. New Years happens but once a year and you can bet your bottom dollar Cartagena establishments have learned to make the most of it. So.. that said.. Here's our picks (be sure to use us to make the bookings.. sometimes they give us commissions, price is the same to you, promise):
As a veteran of 4 New Years Eves in Cartagena, including hosting what was unanimously (** ahem, unverified) considered to be the best NYE party of 2015, I feel like I am in a good position to help you all navigate through the best options.
First of all, for the most part there seems to be 2 separate parties. The first, is a more intimate eating party that leads up to the midnight countdown (often featuring grapes), the second starts after midnight and is more club and crazy. There are a few exceptions of places that are good as a 2-4-1 all night eat, drink and be merry caper.. but generally the real party doesn't start until midnight.
Second, things aren't cheap. At all. New Years happens but once a year and you can bet your bottom dollar Cartagena establishments have learned to make the most of it. So.. that said.. Here's our picks (be sure to use us to make the bookings.. sometimes they give us commissions, price is the same to you, promise):
ALQUIMICO
PRICE FOR DINNER & PARTY: 450,000 COP
8PM
PRICE FOR JUST THE PARTY: 150,000 COP
10PM
Dinner & party includes,
Welcome Cocktail
Exclusive boozy dinner created by talented chef Maria Angelica Delgada featuring 4 courses marinated or highlighting in someway different liquors, accompanied by cocktails and wine selected by sommelier.
Glass of champagne for midnight toasts
Guaranteed roof access for fireworks etc
Surprises
Access to all levels of the party with recognized local and international DJs from Miami, Mexico and Buenos Aires.
Music genres: Tropical/Funk/House/Disco/Techno
Just the Party includes,
1 glass of champagne or cocktail
Surprises
Access to the party, rooftop access subject to availability (the guests who opt for dinner option will take priority, any extra spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis)
Why we like this option?
Alquimico is one of our most favourite bars. The space is amazing. The drinks and atmosphere will be amazing. There's 3 levels so you can change things up. The music tropical and fun. The guests will also be a good mix of locals and foreigners. The dinner will be extremely special. And it means you can all-in-one here.
TO BOOK: Contact Pacho via whatsapp +13105923792
or go directly to the website and book there *** but please send us (email or whatsapp) your names so we know you booked thanks to our advice!
8PM
PRICE FOR JUST THE PARTY: 150,000 COP
10PM
Dinner & party includes,
Welcome Cocktail
Exclusive boozy dinner created by talented chef Maria Angelica Delgada featuring 4 courses marinated or highlighting in someway different liquors, accompanied by cocktails and wine selected by sommelier.
Glass of champagne for midnight toasts
Guaranteed roof access for fireworks etc
Surprises
Access to all levels of the party with recognized local and international DJs from Miami, Mexico and Buenos Aires.
Music genres: Tropical/Funk/House/Disco/Techno
Just the Party includes,
1 glass of champagne or cocktail
Surprises
Access to the party, rooftop access subject to availability (the guests who opt for dinner option will take priority, any extra spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis)
Why we like this option?
Alquimico is one of our most favourite bars. The space is amazing. The drinks and atmosphere will be amazing. There's 3 levels so you can change things up. The music tropical and fun. The guests will also be a good mix of locals and foreigners. The dinner will be extremely special. And it means you can all-in-one here.
TO BOOK: Contact Pacho via whatsapp +13105923792
or go directly to the website and book there *** but please send us (email or whatsapp) your names so we know you booked thanks to our advice!
CUBA 1940s -------> See our review on this bar here.
PRICE: 390,000 COP per person
PERKS: There is a live band, chocolate truffles, necklaces and a lot more!
STARTING HOUR: 9:00PM
Courtesy of the chef
Tuna marinated in anchovy oil and rosemary patty with croutons and sweet mango marmalade.
First Entree
Grilled octopus tentacles in black squid ink.
Second Entree
Lobster meat in garlic over mixed lettuce with mustard and ginger dressing.
Kiwi and Mojito Flavoured Sorbet
White rum sorbet with mint, lemon, sugar and bits of caramelized Kiwi.
Main Courses
Crispy Porkbelly in passion fruit reduction with sautéed vegetables and yellow potato wedges.
or
Prawns glazed in rum flambee in a sauce made out of sweet peppers and rocoto peppers over a bed of crunchy plantains and sautéed vegetables.
Dessert
Layers of strawberry marmalade, salty caramel mousse and crispy chocolate with strawberries and a dash of marine salt + glass of champagne.
Why we like this option?
Another great option based on the Plaza San Diego so you can make the most of all the fun happening there, but also with your own great section of live music and fun times. And an opportunity to potentially jump in the pool at the end of it all seems pretty appealing too!
BOURBON ST CARTAGENA
PRICE PER DINNER AND OPEN BAR 360.000 COP per person.
PRICE FOR OPEN BAR 180.000 COP per person
HOURS: 8:00PM - 8:00AM
.
Dinner for 2 people plan includes,
"Hora loca" with whistles, beads, masks, surprises and lots more!
2 bands, playing rock, crossover music and also a DJ playing all night!
A bottle of champagne per couple.
2 entrees, 2 main courses and 2 desserts
Seafood in creole and blue cheese sauce.
Salmon in balsamic reduction and honey.
Filet Mignon in mustard and mushroom sauce.
Chicken with ricotta cheese, spinach and bacon.
Mashed potato.
Potato sated in herbs.
Almond rice.
Vegetarian jambalaya rice.
Vegetables mix.
Open Bar option includes,
"Hora loca" with whistles, beads, masks, surprises and much more!
2 bands, playing rock and crossover music and also a DJ playing all night!
National liquor, Jose Cuervo, Frozen Margaritas. Food not included but regular menu available upon order.
Why we like this option?
This place can be tacky, but gosh-darn it is fun.. And, ironically (for a place themed on the famous foreign New Orleans street), the party will be one of the most Colombian with an "hora loca", 3 live bands, and all the traditional NYE decorations and accessories.
EL BALCON------> See our review on this place here.
PRICE: 135 USD per person
HOURS:
The celebration for the Restaurant/Bar El Balcón for this year will be in the square of San Diego.
The price includes,
Dinner, (2 starters and 2 main dishes of your choice)
Good luck ritual, glass of champagne and grapes.
Drinks, a bottle of rum, vodka or gin per person.
Music, 2 bands, a DJ playing all night and lots of fireworks!
Closing time: no restrictions!
We guarantee great food, a really cool party scene and the best New Year's Party pictures!
Why we like this option?
Plaza San Diego has a really fun local atmosphere.. there's music and performances and fireworks and the onda is excellent. Being at El Balcon allows you to experience all that, but still have a private space to retreat to.
BLUE APPLE --------> see our review on this place here.
PRICE: 275,000
BOAT DEPARTURE HOURS FROM CARTAGENA: 6:00PM & 7:30PM
BOAT RETURN HOURS FROM BOCACHICA: 1:00AM & 2:30AM
Price includes,
3 course meal
1/2 a bottle of wine
1/2 a bottle of champagne
Water
DJ and live music
Transportation
HOTEL SOFITEL SANTA CLARA
PRICE: 1,140,000 COP per person
HOURS 8:00PM - 12:00PM - 4:00AM
The celebration in the Santa Clara Hotel starts at 8:00pm with a welcome cocktail, live music and dinner or as they call it, a "gastronomical voyage". The concept is basically a journey through food stations. Food is premium and all you can consume. At 12:00pm they give you a glass of champagne and grapes to toast to the new year and they also offer a fireworks show.
From 12:00pm - 4:00am there is a party with renowned Colombian Musician Checo Acosta, then a DJ Session and it finishes with a very typical "caldo de costilla" at 4:00am which is basically a nice broth that helps you minimize the hangover.
Why we like this option?
This is a cream-of-the-crop type of party.. when you really want to treat yourselves and enjoy a stunning atmosphere, incredible bands and performances and top quality food and drink.
PARTY OPTIONS
Now for the places that focus more on the party and won't really get going until after midnight..
LA FOLIE
SexyChic are a group of Cartagena A-List that combine each year to throw a party in a ruined house in Centro. This year's DJs are Gerard and Augusto Yepes who really know how to work a crowd. The space is really cool too.
LA MOVIDA
Cartagena's most popular club, La Movida's New Years party is always a lot of fun with a great turn out. This year's theme is SAFARI. And we do love an excuse to bust out the animal print. Expect this party to be very packed but with a great energy.
BAUM
This is one of the most popular Electronic Dance Music Clubs in Bogota. They do a pop-up New Years party every yearin Cartagena which is always ranked high in the best party spots. This year the event is being held at the Convention Centre.
TROPICAL WEIRD
The cool-kids of the Colombian A-list return to Cartagena each year (from their various bases in New York, Paris, Mexico etc) to throw this party for dance music aficionados. This year's party will be in a ruined house in Getsemani.
LA CONCHA
With some of the most fun and talented DJs from across Colombia/the world.. this has the potential to be a really great bash. The space is next to Fragma.