How to Enjoy Medellin Nightlife: Best bars and nightclubs [2023]

There is very little good information about Medellin nightlife in Colombia. Many articles speak about the same boring bars and clubs.

Since 2015, I have been a regular visitor to this city. So I decided to create this awesome Medellin nightlife guide so that you don’t have to spend hours of research on the internet

Read on to find the best bars, nightclubs, and neighborhoods to build unforgettable memories and party like a Colombian.

👉 Want to know everything about Medellín? Learn where are the best places, and avoid tourist traps and beginner’s mistakes? Nothing could be easier. I put it all together in our guide to Medellín.

Medellin Nightlife: What you must know

Laureles: It’s a district “near” the center. It’s safe to party at night. Traditional loud Colombian bars and clubs and hidden salsa places.

The center: Don’t walk there at night. It’s super dodgy. However, there are a few nice parties going on.

Las Palmas: A famous district to pick a good restaurant and breathe fresh air.

Barrio Colombia: The place to be for partying in massive nightclubs while listening to Colombian music. It’s more expensive.

Poblado: The epicenter of Medellin nightlife. Lots of foreigners and locals. Tens of bars. Make a pre-selection before going there, or you’ll wander forever in the streets. Pick this district if you want to listen to electro music.

Safety in Medellin: Take an Uber at night, and don’t look for hookers or cocaine.

Where are 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 for the first time to Medellin, travelers usually hang out in Poblado. There are many tourists and prices are more expensive. But, It’s where most of the clubs in Medellin 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” – 70: 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” – 33: 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 10min 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 I great for getting a fun nightlife in Medellin. But be ready to spend a lot more and bring some girls if you wish to enter in the most famous nightclubs.

👉 Must read: Our post to learn about the different districts in Medellin.

Where are the best bars in Medellin

Medellin’s nightlife

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: Not many tourists

• 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: Cool spot to serve you draft beers by the glass. You have a card and you decide yourself the quantities.
• Del Patio Bar is heaven for travelers on a shoestring budget. Close at 1 am
• 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: a chill Medellin nightlife in El Poblado

• Le rooftop Masaya: It is a hostel that 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: To 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, Zona Rosa del Poblado

• 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, the trendy Medellin Nightlife in El Poblado

• El Social is one of the oldest bars in Medellin. Crossover music on three floors, it’s 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 and enjoy great Medellin’s nightlife

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, loud music | Barrio Colombia
• Calle 9+1 is a perfect spot for backpackers or people who don’t want to bother with 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

How to experience a fun Salsa Night 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.

• Estilo Cubano | Group and Private classes |Laureles
• Asi se baile | Group and Private classes |Laureles
• Dance Free | Group and Private classes |Poblado
• Salsa classes Medellin | Fantastic option to learn Salsa with private teachers in Cartagena, Medellin, Bogota, and Cali.

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

The best Salsa bars in Medellin

• Son Havana is a little bar located on Avenida San Juan. It can be really busy on weekends, but it’s my favorite spot to dance Salsa on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Besides, they give free Salsa lessons at 8 pm. Live bands on Saturdays. Close at 3 am.
• El Tibiri is located on La 70. Let’s be frank; this place is a small 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. There are live bands 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 logic safety rules.

I’m going to tell you how to No dar Papaya. It’s a Colombian saying more important 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, except if you saw 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 nightlife is so famous?

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 alright.

• National beer in a shop (Poker, aguila, club…) : Around 3 500 COP
• National beer in a bar or Nightclub in Colombia: Around 7 000 COP
• Famous Artisanal beer in a shop (BBC, 3 cordilleras…): Around 6 000 COP
• Famous Artisanal beer in a bar or Nighclub in Colombia: Around 12 000 COP
• Excellent cocktail in bar & Nightclub: Around 30 000 COP
• Cover for an event or a nightclub: 20-40 000 COP
• Bottle of Rum or Aguardiente in a cheap bar: around 80 000 COP
• Bottle of Rum or Aguardiente in a club: 100 – 250 000 COP
• Taxi, Uber or Beat: 8 – 20 000 COP

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

The nightlife in Cartagena is the most expensive. Then it’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.

Now, let’s get into the bare bones of the topic. Here are my favorite Medellin nightlife tips.

Q&A to get the most of the Medellin nightlife

Many travelers ask us about the nightlife in Medellin. Here are our most popular answers.

So, tell me, are you willing to add Medellin to your Colombia itinerary and party all night?

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