Calle 9+1: Hipsters and Electronic Music

Parque Lleras never disappoints in the nightlife scene, but sometimes you need to know where to look to find the kind of music and vibe you’re seeking.

A great example is Calle 9+1 (or simply “Calle 9”), located off Calle 10 on the same street as Mondongos restaurant, it’s a place very different from your normal Colombian club.

It’s famous in Medellín for the awesome parties and events they throw, as well as the electronica you can hear. It’s also known for being LGBT friendly, especially past midnight.

If you’re not much of a salsa or merengue dancer but you still want to dance a bit, this is the place to go.

The entrance is nothing fancy, a sliding glass door with a bouncer out front. If you don’t know where you’re going, you might miss it.

Luckily, most of the time there is a huge line outside.

Dancing

They play an alternative, funky techno-style music and they have special guest DJs almost every weekend.

The easiest and simplest way of dancing to their music is a simple sway from side to side to the rhythm of the music. You can switch it up a bit with some head movements but as long as you’ve got the basic step from left to right you’re doing great in the dance department.

Calle 9 is normally full of designers and photographers; that’s probably why it’s one of my favorite places to go, because I always have fun.

My favorite drink is the mojito frosty for 12,000 pesos ($6) and 3 for 20,000 pesos ($10) on weekends. They also serve a variety of beers, mostly national brands.

On Thursdays, they have a cover charge of 5,000 pesos ($2.50) and on Friday and Saturday the cover is 10,000 pesos ($5) with a free beer (Aguila or Pilsen) included in the price.

Most of the people who can’t or don’t like to dance to typical Colombian music, such as salsa, bachata and merengue, like to go to Calle 9 because they play fun, upbeat music.

It’s located in what I imagine was an old house. The space is very open and they have an open roof in the center of the club that can be closed in case of rain.

Dress Code

Calle 9+1 is a great place for people who don’t feel like dressing up to go out. Some clubs in the area have a dress code and won’t let you in if you aren’t perfectly put together, but thankfully Calle 9 is much more relaxed when it comes to attire.

I’m sure even a half-naked person could get in. Maybe I’m exaggerating but there’s no shame if I show up in flip-flops.

Because Calle 9 opens during the week, it is very popular with foreigners staying around Parque Lleras. On any given night, you can find some residents of local hostels having fun.

At Calle 9+1, you’re guaranteed to have a great night, especially if you go with an open mind.

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