It’s difficult to keep pace with Medellin’s ever-changing nightlife scene. From newly-opened breweries to traditional salsa bars, our local insider Simon shows you where to get your groove on in Colombia’s second largest city.
Photo © iStock/brendanvanson
Salsa in Medellin
El Tibiri
Many bars in Medellin chime to the sound of salsa and there’re few better than El Tibiri. This sultry, low-ceiled basement spot in Laureles, attracts the city’s finest dancers, leaving crowds of onlookers awestruck.
Cuchitril
Lesser-known Cuchitril in Poblado reels in romancers to its vine-shrouded garden area. After 11pm dancers entwine together in front of live performances.
Santo Baile and Dancefree
For those wishing to perfect their dance moves, Santo Baile offers private lessons, while Dancefree spills from the door on Thursday nights during its free, and intensive, group classes.
Burgeoning brewery scene in Medellin
One of the major changes to Medellin’s nightlife has been the emergence of local breweries.
Tres Cordilleras
Tres Cordilleras, located in edgy and industrial Barrio Colombia, attracts the crowds on Thursdays for a brewery tour and live rock music. Buy a ticket at the entrance for five beers.
Cervecería Libre
A few blocks away, lesser-known Cervecería Libre (Wed-Sat) serves four house beers, including one passion fruit infused, and 16 sublime tap tipples best sampled on the taster tray.
Brew House
In Poblado, Brew House merges an array of international bottled beers and ever-changing drafts with live televised sporting events. Head there for UFC nights, the owner is a huge fan.
Alfresco drinking in Medellin
Medellin’s spring-like climate deems it necessary to hang out in its plethora of parks and plazas.
Parque Poblado
While Parque Lleras throbs with tourists, Parque Poblado draws an alternative crowd. Groups of friends spread up the rising stairs that encircle the ripped-jeaned musicians, tapping bongos and strumming acoustic guitars.
Ciudad del Río
Over the last few years the city’s hipsters have swarmed upon Ciudad del Río. At night, lines of food trucks sizzle from frying burgers and billow out scents of sweet-smelling pork. Locals grab a beer or a slat-rimmed, lime-tinged michelada from street vendors while cocktails and aguardiente (aniseed-tasting liquor) appear during live music concerts.
Breakfast and cocktails in Medellin
The emergence of cocktail bars and electro/house spots has injected class and vigor into Medellin’s nightlife.
Alambique
Alambique, located in Poblado, serves the finest gin and tonics around as well as exquisite cocktails. Indulge in its array of elegant dishes, not forgetting the tender lamb stew.
Breakfast Club
Ever since a country house party a few years ago, Breakfast Club has grown in popularity and now leads Medellín’s house/electro scene.
Fanatics from all over the country swarm to watch international acts at Breakfest events in Parque Norte. Every weekend, Breakfast club Salón Amador, reverberates the buildings on La 10, attracting a trendy, good-looking crowd.
Rooftop bars in Medellin
Medellin’s skyline turns even more magical while mingling with the city’s IT crowd in a rooftop bar.
Panorama
Panorama, set among the twinkling palm trees on Provenza, fuses slick modern décor with high-end liquor. Bar staff craft cocktails with the upmost precision making the high prices bearable. Don’t miss the stand-out drink: a sublime sangria.
Envy, Charlee Hotel
Nothing says extravagance like a club with a swimming pool and scantly-dressed clientele. Envy, atop Charlee Hotel, entices the who’s who of Medellín – soap opera stars included. Wednesdays welcome live salsa bands, Saturdays bounce with electro DJ sets, and keep an eye out for daytime pool parties.
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