How to Enjoy Medellin Nightlife: Best Bars and Nightclubs

Medellín’s nightlife is vibrant and varied, offering something for everyone.

Laureles is close to the center and perfect for a safe night out with traditional Colombian bars and hidden salsa spots. While the center can be dodgy at night, it does host some nice parties. Las Palmas is ideal for picking a good restaurant and enjoying fresh air. For massive nightclubs with Colombian music, head to Barrio Colombia—though it’s pricier. Poblado is the nightlife epicenter with many bars and an electro-music scene.

Always take an Uber at night and avoid looking for trouble.

TOM’S TIP

Read our guide on Medellin to discover the best things to do and excursions in Antioquia. You’ll also get a better understanding of the city’s neighborhoods.

the best areas to party in Medellin

According to what you’re looking for, you shouldn’t head to the same party spots in Medellin.

There are 5 main areas where you can enjoy the best Medellin Nightlife:

• El Poblado
• La 70 and Nutibara
• La 33
• Barrio Colombia
• Las Palmas

1# Poblado, la Zona Rosa de Medellin

When coming to Medellin for the first time, travelers usually hang out in Poblado. There are many tourists, and prices are more expensive, but it’s where most of the clubs are.

Besides, lots of Colombians also love going out to Poblado. So, you won’t be only surrounded by drunk foreigners who don’t dance.

Within the Zona Rosa of Medellin – AKA Party district -, There are 4 sub-districts where you would like to get a drink and move your hips.

• Lleras Park in Medellin: It was the place to be 10 years ago, but now it’s not that good. However, there are still some fun clubs around.
• Provenza: The chic part of Poblado. It’s one street of dazzling lights and bars
• Manila: The newest one. This part of Poblado is quieter but it’s great to have a few drinks before starting your crazy nightlife in Medellin.
• Parque Poblado: There is a cool rooftop bar (Masaya) and several good coffees and restaurants.

2# The Street “la Setenta”: Pre-party & Salsa in Medellin

If you prefer more authentic nightlife, you should head to Laureles. Drinks are cheaper, the music is loud, and there are almost no foreigners.

La 70 is a short street between the Stadium and La Universidad Pontifica.

Many bars play crossover Latin music, and it’s where football fans love to celebrate their victory or drown their sorrow with a pola—Cold beer.

Moreover, two bars are perfect for learning some new Salsa moves, Son Havana and El Tibiri.

And if you are looking for bars and restaurants with a relaxed/chic atmosphere, you should look around Primer & Segundo Parque.

3# The Street “Trenta y tres”: Colombian Nightclubs

Once people are bored with hanging out in La 70, they usually move to La 33. There are many clubs in this loooong street.

Don’t start walking around. It would be exhausting. Pick a club before and go there directly by taxi.

4# Las Palmas and Barrio Colombia: VIP Nightclubs in Medellin

Las Palmas is a hill located near the metro station “Expositiones”. The place is packed with VIP nightclubs, good restaurants, and hotels. The view at night is pretty cool, and a cool breeze always wakes up the late partygoers.

Another famous place to party in Medellin is Barrio Colombia. Located 10 minutes away by taxi from Poblado, this industrial zone filled with empty warehouses has been turned into an I-m-drunk-so-I-can-finally-move-my-hips spot.

Both places are great for experiencing the fun nightlife in Medellin. But be ready to spend a lot more and bring some girls if you wish to enter the most famous nightclubs.

Where are the best bars in Medellin

Bars in Medellin are everywhere. You can start the night in a local brewery or look on Facebook for a live band event. The BBC bars are in many areas of the city and are always a good option too.

There is no dress code, and nobody will ask for your ID.

Here is a selection of my favorite bars in Medellin:

1# Bars in Laureles:

• Casa Cliché is a French Cafe that organizes events on the weekend. Massive choice of homemade rum punches and delicious desserts
• Panorama Rooftop bar is a good pick if you want to get a drink under the stars. Prices are a bit more expensive.
• Fugitivo Laureles is a cool spot where you can get draft beers by the glass. You have a card, and you decide the quantities yourself.
• Ambar: A bar/restaurant with excellent decoration and reasonable prices! The ideal place for taking funny pictures.
• La Bodeguita Havanera: a bar/restaurant with live salsa bands on weekends. Closed on Sunday.

2# Bars in Manila and Parque Poblado

• Le rooftop Masaya: This hostel organizes many events (including salsa classes), and the view from the rooftop is stunning!
• Le rooftop of Los Patios – An excellent hostel – is a fun place to get a few drinks to meet other travelers
• El Arranque Cafe offers a tasty range of cocktails. Besides, there is live music on weekends | Close at 2 am
• Siete Pulgadas Listening Bar: Come and listen to old records on an excellent sound system and drink cocktails made by a talented barman. Excellent atmosphere.

3# Bars near Parque Lleras

• Berlin Bar serves delicious beers. Perfect to start the evening. Close at 2 am
• Envy rooftop is the best rooftop in Medellin. It belongs to the famous hotel The Charlee. The view is astonishing, and there is even a pool you can use on Sundays for Brunch. Live Salsa music on Tuesdays. Let your flip flop at home and bring your wallet
• La Octava bar is the place to be if you’re bored of listening to Latin music. Plus, you can jump into a giant ball pit. Close at 4 am on weekends.
• Tikuna Bar: Friendly staff and good music. DJs are often invited to liven up the evening (deep house music).

4# Bars in Provenza, trendy part of el Poblado

• El Social is one of the oldest bars in Medellin. Crossover music on three floors is a cool spot to get a few cheap drinks and watch the Medellin Nightlife. Close at 2 am
• Mad Radio has got great outdoor seating and a giant Jenga. DJs perform every weekend. Close at 4 am!

Best nightclubs to party in Medellin

In Medellin, most of the nightclubs close at 4 am. According to the place you’re heading to, you will have to give up the flip-flop and shorts. Moreover, hype clubs won’t let you in if you’re a bunch of dudes – Like a bachelor party. Most of them charge a cover between 20 – 50 000 COP.

• La Tienda la 70 is a typical Colombian club with dazzling lights and loud music. Buy a cheap Aguardiente bottle and go with the flow | La 70
• Dulce Jesus Mio hosts typical Colombian parties with aguardiente, entertainment, colorful lights, and loud music | Barrio Colombia
• Calle 9+1 is a perfect spot for backpackers or people who don’t want to follow a dress code. Cool artists and DJ’s | Parque Lleras, El Poblado
• The Blue Bar is for old-school music lovers | Parque Lleras, El Poblado
• Vintrash is one of the most famous clubs in El Poblado. 2 Floors and a Rooftop. They play 2 kinds of music, Reggaeton an Electro. They host the language exchange Gringo Tuesday | Provenza, El Poblado
• Salón Amador: A club known for hosting famous international DJs (Electro). | Parque el Poblado

Dancing Salsa in Medellin

You won’t find many Salsa places in El Poblado. You have to get out of the “Gringo Area” to dance in the best salsa bars.

I advise you to learn the basic steps if you want to make the most of your Medellin Nightlife. Most of us don’t have the Latin beats in our blood. Hence, it’s not easy to “learn on the job”.

It’s one of the experiences I loved to learn about when traveling to Colombia.

• Asi se baile | Group and Private classes |Laureles
• Dance Free | Group and Private classes |Poblado

Once you’re at ease on the dance floor, it’s time to practice in an actual situation.

The best Salsa bars in Medellin

• Son Havana is a little bar located in Avenida San Juan. It can be bustling on weekends, but it’s my favorite spot to dance Salsa on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Besides, they give free Salsa lessons at 8 p.m., have live bands on Saturdays, and close at 3 a.m.
• El Tibiri is located on La 70. Let’s be frank; this place is a tiny hot cave. But the best salsa dancers love to meet there. It’s perfect to get a glimpse of the salsa nightlife in Medellin. Close at 2 am
• DanceFree is Salsa School in El Poblado. Live bands are playing on Friday and Saturday nights. The place is packed with foreigners.
• Social Club Academia is the secret spot to dance Salsa. Located within a roundabout, they offer free Salsa classes from Thursday to Saturday. It’s an open space with a continuous breeze. You have to get there to understand what I’m talking about.

Is it safe to party in Medellin at Night?

Yes, the Nightlife in Medellin is safe. But you should always follow a few logical safety rules.

I’m going to tell you how to No dar Papaya. It’s a Colombian saying more critical than Yoda’s quotes.

It means, “don’t give the stick to be beaten with”.

My favorite safety tips

• When coming back home at night, don’t walk. Take uber.
• Don’t accept a glass or bottle from someone else unless you have seen other people drinking from it before.
• Don’t let your glass without surveillance. There is a drug called Scopolamine, used by thieves. It makes you gentle as a lamb. It’s perfect for robbing you.
• Don’t take your passport. A photocopy of it is enough.
• Withdraw some cash before going out and let your credit card at home.
• If a cute girl comes to you, ask her some questions and see if she came with friends. It could be a hooker.
• Use Uber instead of cabs at night.
• Don’t be wasted.

A bar for each day of the week

• Monday: Getting a drink At Los Patios Hostel or Massaya.
• Tuesday: Salsa lesson in Son Havana then listen to the live band.
• Wednesday: Listen to some Jazz Music at Cafe Zorba.
• Thursday: Jueves de bandas. Drink artisanal beers at the Factory 3 Cordilleras and listen to live music.
• Friday: Take free dance classes at Social Club Academia.
• Saturday: It could be everywhere in the bars and nightclubs listed in this article.
• Sunday: A beer in a BBC pub.

Why Colombia’s nightlife is so famous?

Medellin’s Nightlife has a tremendous reputation among travelers who visit Colombia. While I think the nightlife in Bogota offers more variety, I easily understand why people fall in love with this Paisa’s land—AKA People living in Medellin.

I love Medellin. I plead guilty too.

After a few months of living here, I realized we only knew the tip of the iceberg regarding the Medellin Nightlife.

Some of you probably think about hookers and drugs. You’re right and wrong at the same time.

Yes, there are hookers and drugs in Medellin. And some tourists only come to Colombia for these reasons. Because of them, prostitution and cocaine are a scourge for the country.

Fortunately, there are many other (good) reasons why people would enjoy partying in Colombia!

1# Colombians are friendly

It’s in their blood and flesh. Italians love pasta, Frenches are grumpy, and Colombians are friendly.

Foreigners aren’t uncommon anymore. Nobody will jump on you. However, they will love to speak with you if you do the first steps.

2# They dance Salsa

Colombians LOVE to dance. They do it since they are kids. For them, sitting at a table without doing anything except drinking is boring.

And I couldn’t agree more.

So, put your shot of aguardiente on the side and move your hips! There is only one hitch. Besides Reggaeton, people dance by two. Have a look on YouTube or book a few dance classes to learn the basics. Then invite Colombians and ask them to teach you!

I tell you later in this article where to dance Salsa and find some free classes.

3# Colombia Nightlife is cheap

Don’t get me wrong. You could spend thousands of dollars in one night if you want it.

But, if you avoid tourist traps and luxury clubs, you should be all right.

• National beer in a shop (Poker, Aguila, club…) : Around 4 500 COP
• National beer in a bar or Nightclub in Colombia: Around 8 000 COP
• Famous Artisanal beer in a shop (BBC, 3 cordilleras…): Around 7 000 COP
• Famous Artisanal beer in a bar or Nighclub in Colombia: Around 15 000 COP
• Excellent cocktail in bar & Nightclub: Around 35 000 COP
• Cover for an event or a nightclub: 20-40 000 COP
• Bottle of Rum or Aguardiente in a cheap bar: around 100 000 COP
• Bottle of Rum or Aguardiente in a club: 200 – 250 000 COP
• Taxi, Uber: 15 – 20 000 COP

Also, the prices change significantly according to where you decide to party.

The nightlife in Cartagena is the most expensive. Then there’s the nightlife in Bogota and Medellin. The cheaper city is Cali!

4# Women are gorgeous

Their long black hair is beautiful; their deep dark eyes look through your soul when they speak to you, and they know how to dance.

Add a bit of drama from the TeleNovela they like to watch, and you will understand why guys fall in love with Colombian girls.