Medellin Nightlife

Dancers at Dulce Jesus Mio

Dancers at Dulce Jesus Mio



Medellin Nightlife

Several existing sites have a directory of all the bars and clubs, however for my Medellin nightlife directory, I’m building a list from personal experience and recommendations by Colombian friends.

As a rule of thumb, when it comes to nightlife in Medellin, the farther away from Parque Lleras you venture, the less likely you’ll be sharing the bar or club with other foreigners.  All venues are within Medellin city limits, unless otherwise noted.

Sample Week

New to town and want to start partying in Medellin right away, regardless of the night?  Options are limited early in the week, however here are a few suggestions to help you find Medellin’s party people:

  • Sunday – Karma (reggaeton, hip hop) or Tropical Cocktails (Sabaneta)
  • Monday – La Octava (rock)
  • Tuesday – El Eslabon Prendido (live salsa)
  • Wednesday – B-Lounge (crossover, ladies night)
  • Thursday -  Bendito Seas (crossover, ladies night) or GAR Bar (live salsa)
  • Friday – Dulce Jesus Mio (crossover) or Cien Fuegos (live salsa)
  • Saturday – Trilogia Bar (live cover band + crossover DJ) or Luxury Discoteca (reggaeton)

Discotecas (Dance Clubs)

The majority of the discotecas en Medellin play crossover music, which means you’ll hear a mix of different genres throughout the night, including: salsa, reggaeton, vallenato, cumbia, merengue, bachata, popular rock, and electronica.

A late night performance inside Prizma Discoteca

A late night performance inside Prizma Discoteca

Barrio Colombia

  • Amarna Unica – Carrera 43G #27 – 10. Egyptian-theme with bellydancing performances.
  • Indiana Bar – Carrera 43G. Indiana Jones theme and go-do dancers.
  • Karma – just off Carrera 43G, around the corner from Indiana Bar. Reggaeton only.
  • Kukaramakara Club – Carrera 43G #25A – 58. Live band.
  • Luxury Discoteca – Carrera 43G (opposite Trilogia). Reggaeton only.
  • Mia VIP Room – Calle 25 #43G – 25. Modern Miami-style club.
  • Prizma Discoteca – just off Carrera 43G, around the corner from Indiana Bar. Reggaeton only.
  • The End – Calle 25 #43G, on the same block as Mia. Reggaeton & electronica only.
  • Trilogia Bar – Carrera 43G #24 – 08.  Live band.
  • Tutaina Tuturuma – Calle 26 #43G.
Inside B-Lounge on a Wednesday night

Inside B-Lounge on a Wednesday night

Parque Lleras & Poblado

  • Bar Lovento – Carrera 42N #9 – 59
  • Bendito Seas – Calle 10A. Thursday is ladies night: 20,000 peso cover for all you can drink (beer, Aguardiente, or rum) until 12 am.
  • B-Lounge – Carrera 36 #10 – 38.  Wednesday nights are ladies night.  20,000 peso cover.  All male groups may not be allowed entry (ie. bring a few girls).
  • Blue – Calle 10. Rock music.
  • El Pub de Octavia – Carrera 36 #8A – 110
  • La Octava – Calle 8 #37A – 49. Friendly rock bar – open 365 days a year.
  • La Ruana de Juana – Corner of Calle 10 + Carrera 42
  • Red – Calle 10 #40 – 15
  • Sampues – Calle 10A #40 – 37
Dulce Jesus Mio

Inside Dulce Jesus Mio

Las Palmas

  • Babylon Discoteca – (Las Palmas location is closed. Club is supposedly re-opening in Parque Lleras.)
  • El Cuervo - Carrera 38 #26-260
  • El Pub - Carrera 38 #26-260
  • Dulce Jesus Mio – Club in form of mock Antioquian pueblo, with staff in costumes, and song and dance performances. Reserve a table and arrive by 9pm to ensure seating. All male groups are not allowed entry (ie. bring a few girls).
Halloween at Mango's

Halloween at (the old) Mango's Discoteca

Other Neighborhoods

  • La Tienda – Calle 38A Sur #43 – 66, Envigado.  Arrive early or reserve table to ensure seating.
  • Mango’s Disco – Carerra 42 #67A-121, Itagui.  Western theme, with go-go dancers and midgets.
  • Palmahia Disco – Carrera 42 #85B – 121
  • Tropical Cocktails – Carrera 48 #65 Sur – 95 Avenida Las Vegas, Sabaneta.
El Eslabon Prendido on a Tuesday night

El Eslabon Prendido on a Tuesday night

Salsa Bars

  • Cien Fuegos – Carrera 43F, #18 – 158, Barrio Colombia.  Live band (Thurs/Fri/Sat nights) and large wooden dance floor. No cover or minimum drinks Thursday nights. Friday & Saturday have a cover of at least 10,000 pesos, plus you need to buy a bottle to sit at a table. There is no minimum to sit at the bar. This club has the biggest dance floor in the city.
  • El Eslabon Prendido – Calle 53 #42 – 55, Centro.  (Maracaibo, a half block above Parque Periodista).  Live bands Tuesday nights (5,000 peso cover).
  • El Tibiri – Carrera 70 + Calle 44B, Laureles.  About 5 blocks from the Estadio metro. Very small basement level bar.  Hot, little circulation, tight spaces, and often crowded.
  • GAR Bar – Carrera 39 #8 – 58, Parque Lleras.  Live salsa band Thursday nights (no cover charge).
  • La Rumbantela – Calle 33 # 76 – 132, Laureles.
  • Son Havana (Facebook) – Carrera 73 #44 – 56, near La 70/Estadio.
Thursday night at 3 Cordilleras

Thursday night at 3 Cordilleras

Other Nightlife Spots

  • 3 Cordilleras Brewery - Calle 30, #44 – 176, Barrio Industriales. Three great types of beer on tap – Wheat (light), American Pale (medium) and Amber Ale (dark).  Thursday nights draw a happy hour crowd.  15,000 COP entry gets you 5 beers, plus an optional tour.  Hours:  5:30 – 9 pm.  The last Thursday of each month features a live band too.
  • Arte Vivo - Calle 25 #43G – 25. Barrio Colombia. Rock bar with live bands.
  • Bolero Bar – Carrera 67B, #51A – 98. A historic little bar known for attracting musicians, writers and artists visiting Medellin. The bar has published several books (in Spanish) filled with short stories by the bar’s well known patrons.
Capoeira demonstration during a "Brazil" night at Teatro Matacandales

Capoeira demonstration during a "Brazil" night at Teatro Matacandales

Theaters

There are tons of theaters in Medellin, offering inexpensive and sometimes free performances (Teatro Lido) every week.  Here are a few of the more well known and popular theaters.  A schedule of events can be found on each website, though it is in Spanish.