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/party. Full(er) descriptions in the BAR drop-down section or click on the links.
ALQUIMICO
This incredible 3 level 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 barkeep, great music, buzzing atmosphere. For me, the best overall bar in Cartagena. Monday industry nights often end up being the biggest party of the week.
EL BARÓN
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. *Edit: same team has recently opened French-inspired Colette Bar right next door and it's equally amazing.
If you like this, you'll also like El Coro at the Sofitel Santa Clara, 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. I always order the spicy mojito because I'm a ginger fiend.
*also if you're into secret spaces and champagne and caviar and private members poker nights ask us to arrange an introduction to the Cavaliers Club.
DEMENTE
This place just gets it right. 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, zero fancy but that's the point, right?
If you like this you'll also like Esquina del Orchidea, Los Ultimos Mojicos, Tienda de las Tablitas
MOVICH HOTEL ROOFTOP
Not the best drinks, not the best service, but goddamn what a view! Having at least one sunset drink here and taking your next profile photo with the Cartagena Bay as your backdrop is practically obligatory. See also Cafe Del Mar.
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. Be warned, prices are among the highest in the city.
CARMEN
Maker of the best Negroni I've had in my life (big call), Carmen bar is a tiny 10 person space, tucked in an airconditioned cube, apart from the popular restaurant spaces. Head barkeep Lilieth is a gosh-darn National treasure and Lukas is pure distilled good-times.
TOWNHOUSE ROOFTOP/MEMBERS ONLY BASEMENT
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 and weekend boozy brunches are just what your hangover asked for.
Sun has set and you're ready for a change of scene? Make your way downstairs to the new basement bar, Members Only. Open from 10pm, book a table for the seriously impressive house band and their seriously impressive jazz/soul interpretations of classic and contemporary hits. The cocktail menu is just as killer. Start with their espresso martini and you'll be primed for your night on the tiles.
ALSO CHECK OUT...
Baruco - live music, open air bar, quality cocktails. Don't order the cheese/proscuitto board. Worst value in Cartagena.
Bonche - friendly bar with a great outdoor space in Plaza Pozo in Getsemani
Selina - We'll include this in the party bars list, but this backpacker/nomadic traveller space is funky and fun (even if the drinks won't win any awards)
1968 Salsa Show - come for a drink (the majority of cocktails chosen to highlight specialities from Cali and the Pacific region of Colombia) and stay to enjoy one of the most impressive floor shows with the very best salsa dancers in the world (don't @ me)
Malagana - sunset drinks on this tiny rooftop terrace in Getsemani is one of our favourite activities. Corozo Margaritas are the bomb. Add a round of Fish tacos to keep them company and you've entered blisstown.
Montmarte
Colette - the sexy French sister bar to El Baron, happy hour come with free hors d'oeuvres, there's Wednesday wine tastings and the mezcal-laced cocktail Press Box might just be my favourite in the city.
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/party. Full(er) descriptions in the BAR drop-down section or click on the links.
ALQUIMICO
This incredible 3 level 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 barkeep, great music, buzzing atmosphere. For me, the best overall bar in Cartagena. Monday industry nights often end up being the biggest party of the week.
EL BARÓN
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. *Edit: same team has recently opened French-inspired Colette Bar right next door and it's equally amazing.
If you like this, you'll also like El Coro at the Sofitel Santa Clara, 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. I always order the spicy mojito because I'm a ginger fiend.
*also if you're into secret spaces and champagne and caviar and private members poker nights ask us to arrange an introduction to the Cavaliers Club.
DEMENTE
This place just gets it right. 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, zero fancy but that's the point, right?
If you like this you'll also like Esquina del Orchidea, Los Ultimos Mojicos, Tienda de las Tablitas
MOVICH HOTEL ROOFTOP
Not the best drinks, not the best service, but goddamn what a view! Having at least one sunset drink here and taking your next profile photo with the Cartagena Bay as your backdrop is practically obligatory. See also Cafe Del Mar.
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. Be warned, prices are among the highest in the city.
CARMEN
Maker of the best Negroni I've had in my life (big call), Carmen bar is a tiny 10 person space, tucked in an airconditioned cube, apart from the popular restaurant spaces. Head barkeep Lilieth is a gosh-darn National treasure and Lukas is pure distilled good-times.
TOWNHOUSE ROOFTOP/MEMBERS ONLY BASEMENT
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 and weekend boozy brunches are just what your hangover asked for.
Sun has set and you're ready for a change of scene? Make your way downstairs to the new basement bar, Members Only. Open from 10pm, book a table for the seriously impressive house band and their seriously impressive jazz/soul interpretations of classic and contemporary hits. The cocktail menu is just as killer. Start with their espresso martini and you'll be primed for your night on the tiles.
ALSO CHECK OUT...
Baruco - live music, open air bar, quality cocktails. Don't order the cheese/proscuitto board. Worst value in Cartagena.
Bonche - friendly bar with a great outdoor space in Plaza Pozo in Getsemani
Selina - We'll include this in the party bars list, but this backpacker/nomadic traveller space is funky and fun (even if the drinks won't win any awards)
1968 Salsa Show - come for a drink (the majority of cocktails chosen to highlight specialities from Cali and the Pacific region of Colombia) and stay to enjoy one of the most impressive floor shows with the very best salsa dancers in the world (don't @ me)
Malagana - sunset drinks on this tiny rooftop terrace in Getsemani is one of our favourite activities. Corozo Margaritas are the bomb. Add a round of Fish tacos to keep them company and you've entered blisstown.
Montmarte
Colette - the sexy French sister bar to El Baron, happy hour come with free hors d'oeuvres, there's Wednesday wine tastings and the mezcal-laced cocktail Press Box might just be my favourite in the city.