TOP 10 DRINKING BARS IN CARTAGENA
Want to know where to schmooze and booze in Cartagena?
During high-season (Nov-Feb) 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 drink on.. these are the most reliable picks. Also check out Top 10 Clubs for when you want to get a bit more rambunctious/dancey. Full(er) descriptions in the BAR drop-down section or click on the links.
ALQUIMICO
This great space makes it a pleasure to drink cocktails made with house-infused rums and get stuck into yum food. Rooftop bar gets rowdy on weekends. Cool bar keep, great music, buzzing atmosphere. For me, the best overall bar in Cartagena.
EL BARÓN
Hands-down the best cocktail bar in Cartagena. This is New York standards, real-deal, attention-to-detail, world-class, drink-snob satisfying goodness with a side of tasty eats. You'll be impressed.
If you like this, you'll also like El Coro at the Sofitel Santa Clara, Absenta Bar, Carmen Bar
CUBA 1940s
A stylish slice of Cuba offering authentic cocktails and food, live salsa every night from 8.30pm and special rum and cocktail tastings with Cuban cigar pairings.
DEMENTE
This place is cooooool. It's a tapas bar in a restored shell of an ancient building with the bustling Plaza Trinidad on its doorstep. The music is always spot on, the vibe is chilled but chevere and the food (from tapas to amazing wood-fired pizzas) is really really good.
CAPONERA
I describe this as my favourite dive bar - colourful (sometimes decidedly shady) characters and cheap drinks in an accidentally awesomely decorated space. It's also pretty consistently buzzy even on school-nights.
Upstairs is the salsa temple: Quiebracanto.
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. but the insider tip is to get a plate of Jamon Serrano or great valued ceviche. Super local, but that's the point, right?
If you like this you'll also like Esquina del Orchidea, Los Ultimos Mojicos
ABSENTA BAR
Craft cocktails and comfort food in a surreal space on Plaza San Diego. A newcomer with plenty to prove and making all the right moves.
ALMA BAR
Whether you want to feel shaken or just stirred, check out this specialist Martini Bar housed in the Hotel San Agustin. Added bonus, Andres (my favourite barman) is pure good vibes and has an incredible collection of colourful braces.
CARMEN
Maker of the best Negroni I've had in my life (big call), Carmen bar is tucked in an airconditioned cube, apart from the popular restaurant spaces. Head barkeep Lilieth is a gosh-darn National treasure.
TOWNHOUSE ROOFTOP
Turning heads since its epic opening party early 2018, Townhouse is a tropical delight, perfect for poolside chilling, sunset toasts, tapas and cocktails. Currently no cost or minimum spend to plonk yourself poolside all day long.
During high-season (Nov-Feb) 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 drink on.. these are the most reliable picks. Also check out Top 10 Clubs for when you want to get a bit more rambunctious/dancey. Full(er) descriptions in the BAR drop-down section or click on the links.
ALQUIMICO
This great space makes it a pleasure to drink cocktails made with house-infused rums and get stuck into yum food. Rooftop bar gets rowdy on weekends. Cool bar keep, great music, buzzing atmosphere. For me, the best overall bar in Cartagena.
EL BARÓN
Hands-down the best cocktail bar in Cartagena. This is New York standards, real-deal, attention-to-detail, world-class, drink-snob satisfying goodness with a side of tasty eats. You'll be impressed.
If you like this, you'll also like El Coro at the Sofitel Santa Clara, Absenta Bar, Carmen Bar
CUBA 1940s
A stylish slice of Cuba offering authentic cocktails and food, live salsa every night from 8.30pm and special rum and cocktail tastings with Cuban cigar pairings.
DEMENTE
This place is cooooool. It's a tapas bar in a restored shell of an ancient building with the bustling Plaza Trinidad on its doorstep. The music is always spot on, the vibe is chilled but chevere and the food (from tapas to amazing wood-fired pizzas) is really really good.
CAPONERA
I describe this as my favourite dive bar - colourful (sometimes decidedly shady) characters and cheap drinks in an accidentally awesomely decorated space. It's also pretty consistently buzzy even on school-nights.
Upstairs is the salsa temple: Quiebracanto.
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. but the insider tip is to get a plate of Jamon Serrano or great valued ceviche. Super local, but that's the point, right?
If you like this you'll also like Esquina del Orchidea, Los Ultimos Mojicos
ABSENTA BAR
Craft cocktails and comfort food in a surreal space on Plaza San Diego. A newcomer with plenty to prove and making all the right moves.
ALMA BAR
Whether you want to feel shaken or just stirred, check out this specialist Martini Bar housed in the Hotel San Agustin. Added bonus, Andres (my favourite barman) is pure good vibes and has an incredible collection of colourful braces.
CARMEN
Maker of the best Negroni I've had in my life (big call), Carmen bar is tucked in an airconditioned cube, apart from the popular restaurant spaces. Head barkeep Lilieth is a gosh-darn National treasure.
TOWNHOUSE ROOFTOP
Turning heads since its epic opening party early 2018, Townhouse is a tropical delight, perfect for poolside chilling, sunset toasts, tapas and cocktails. Currently no cost or minimum spend to plonk yourself poolside all day long.