Medellin Nightlife

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• I love Colombia.

• stay away from san diego strip club. this is not a gringo friendly place especially if your spanish is poor. not sure why but i was charged 30 mil for a beer. the guy was saying something. then one of the dancers I had met weeks earlier spotted me and came sat with me, couldnt get rid of her, ended up buying her a drink and moved to another seat. then another girl came by saying they accepted credit cards, I bought her a drink, and then the guy said he would not accept credit. so I payed the cash and got up and left. this place is not for gringos.....stay away.

• TRUE! San Diego is for sure sketchy as all get up....i've had a few close calls in there!

  AS in run ins with "local" guys that you don't want to have run ins with! Super aggressive girls, rude staff, very pushy, and that's just the start! GRINGOS beware, San DIEGO is NOT safe. Roll in a group of guys and pay cash, or do not go here at all. I lean towards the latter. Can't imagine what they'd do to a 65 year old gringo by himself with poor spanish....

• Those places are the same, the girls are the same...all over the world.

• I just came back from Medellin it is a beautiful city, with a modern infrastructure. I stayed for 9 days after the 2nd day I was ready to leave. I went to Santa Fe mall and every person that walked by me was staring at me.
  When I went in the clubs and walked on the streets the same thing constant looks. No ladies would give me the time of day. When I was in the club and placed my drinks down on a table near others, I could tell from the corner of my eye they were talking about me. I came to realize I was the only black person in the mall except for a black security guard, the only black guy in the club. Then I began to understand why only the white guys no matter what they looked like were getting play. I truley wanted to fly to another country but I had already payed for my room. I travel 2 to 3 times a year to different countries and I must say Medellin takes the cake when it comes to racism.
  If you think this just happend to me think again my friend, another black group of 3 guys from Miami said the same thing I said when I met them in club Babylon. Colombia is not a place for a black guy in my book especially Medellin.

• Sorry Jacob,
  Antioquia is very regionalistic and old-fashioned. If Colombia had "red necks" they would be from the old families of Medellin. Hence the saying, "Negro, ni mi caballo..." You would have been more comfortable in Cartagena or San Andres - Medellin is definitely racist.
  John T.

• Very racist, backwards, and judgmental. Rude people and poor service too. So much for the "friendly paisas" theory. Yeah, only friendly when your wallet is out.

• You're entitled to your opinion Rodney, however, I don't think stereotyping an entire city's population is fair, nor does it serve any greater good. I've had plenty of paisa friends who are neither racist nor homophobic.

  To make such generalizations is just as bad as the Colombians who stereotype all Americans visiting Colombia as drug addicted sex tourists.

  I've approved all the comments you left on this page so far, but we try to keep a positive tone on Medellin Living. Please keep that in mind if you want to continue to share your thoughts.

• Sorry about your experience Jacob,next time try Baranquilla on the north coast,lots more black folk there.

• That sucks but I see this a lot outside of the US. Especially in Latin America and Asia. Unfortunately, blacks have not done themselves any favors as they pretty much "corner the market" in terms of drugs, violence, crime and corruption. That's not racist, just fact. Of course there are some very excellent black folks, I'm just speaking in general terms.

• Jim, are you serious, blacks "corner the market" drugs, violence, crime and corruption. OMG, even in general terms this is an absolutely racist remark if I ever heard one...if we just stay with Colombia since we're here. Colombia supplies 80-90% of the cocaine to the USA, it seems to me that Colombia has the cocaine market "cornered", so would it be fair to say general speaking that "COLOMBIANS" supply 80-90 of the cocaine tot he US? We all know its the "cocaine cartels" who runs this trade while the vast majority of Colombians have nothing to do with it...

• Right with you Jamaal... hoping we see a less ignorant world at some point in our lifetime.

• Exactly Philippe, at some point in our lifetime, enough already...

• I wouldn't get too lathered up, if you just look at general statistics (Latinos) who are soon to be the majority in the U.S. make up the bulk of the cocaine trade. Peru has edged out Colombia to be the top producing Cocaine country, and the Mexican Cartels run all of it. U.S. demand (mostly white folks) are fueling the demand. So as 8% of the population, there is no way black folks "corner the market" on cocaine. Obviously an uninformed opinion. Not even well informed enough to be even considered racist, just terribly misinformed.

• Jacob,I cant speak for Medellin since I have not been there yet, although I plan on going in April for a month. I did stay in Barranquilla for 3 weeks in 2012 and I had the opposite effect. Yes, I was stared at often but I think its because I'm 6ft 4 in and 215. Everyone wanted to know if I was a basketball or football player. In my 3 weeks there I felt no sense of racism at all, none.

  I have followed interviews of other African American living there and no one has reported this kind of activity.. Everyone's experience is different. Unfortunately racism is everywhere and it seems to more directed at blacks than anyone else. But I refuse to let it stop me from living the life I desire...Medellin here I come...

• I have been to Medellin 9 times and I am heading back in April. In all honesty, I have never had a bad trip. Do some people stare? of course they do, Have I been the only black guy in a food court, of course I have but people generally pay me no mind after the initial look of surprise. With respect to the women, from my experience, its very difficult to meet women at bars/clubs (and this is not just for Black guys, many white guys have a hard time just picking up), you have to do the legwork during the day, chat up a girl working at the mall, at the park and then take her out to a club or for food...the point is that of course there is racism in Medellin (as there is in most countries) but in my experience it has never prevented me from having a great time. One final point, are there girls in Medellin that wont talk to a black guy? of course there are, but for every 1 of those, I have met 4 that are super cool and easy to hangout with. Just my two cents.

• Well said

• Big dog is right about the women here. I have lived in Barranquilla for 2.5 years now and I do not find the girls, in general, very pro-active toward initiating conversations. But....I think some of that might just be a lack of their own confidence (if they think you're a gringo) and also partially due to the fact that (here in Barranquilla anyway) they are what I consider to be somewhat traditional...i.e. they just don't talk to people they don't know.

  If they have traveled a bit, and they know you're from the US, then yeah...they will likely want to talk to you.

  Medellin, you have to remember, is a 'big city'. And even in the US, 'proper' women have generally learned not to talk to strangers unless it's in a very safe situation.

  So..... I wouldn't write off Colombia by any means. If you learned even just a little Spanish, I'd be will to bet that it would dramatically change your situation.

  Regards,
  Art

  p.s. I'm moving to Medellin in a couple of weeks.

• First off Medellin is a gorgeous inovated city! Dont be guided by rumour! Looks come to everyone! Colombians do not know how to be subtle! 6feet man will definetly be looked at if anything they think ir a pro athlete visitng our city. Im colombian and everytime i go men are constintly staring and throwing comments..u defintly have to have the self esteem to walk down the street knowing ur being looked at. Despise the race druggs is not even the topic!

• Jamal,
  How was Medellin for you? I'm going with a group of 11 in about a month.

• Jamaal- one of my best friends here is a hot black Colombian chick. (I'm as white as it gets, over 6', in shape, have money etc) and I can FEEL the hisses and racism when her and I go in a grocery. From everyone. Black Colombian dudes nervously laugh (chick is stacked), locals roll their eyes and make comments. The local women are the worst, and the second she turns her back to go the bathroom they start running their mouths thinking I can't understand them. I can.

  Racism here is alive and well, and I can see the hatred and jealousy in the women's eyes when they see me walking with a black girl. I could care less: she's a super cool chick and a good person so I don't care if I could be dating a surgeon's daughter or a girl who lives with her mom in Bello. But the locals are incredibly judgmental and are great backstabbers, almost like it's an art. if you can accept that, you can come here. If not, you could go to eastern europe and kill it all day. For sure learn spanish. I've seen lots of north American black dudes here approach my girl and strike out fast because they didn't bother learning any spanish whatsoever before their trip and were counting on their game back home to work for them. It's a different type of swagger and game here for sure. Good luck! Medellin can be a cool place if you know the rules and don't expect too much. Once in a while you'll get surprised. When a chick likes you, hold on to your hat! :)

• Medellin takes the cake? Sorry bro but I think your flight must have dropped you off in Mobile, not Medellin. I did not feel that Medellin was racist. Maybe some people are but I just assumed the people who are rude are simply rude until I specically find out they're racist. I have three other black friends who went to Medellin and they agree. I had no problems. I think what may have been wierd was if you were in these places alone. That is strange to Colombians because everything is very social.

• I wish you knew how many black people live in medellin, they're a lot!! and here we all stare at each other no mather what color we are, it's just normal for us. I'm sorry but I think the "racist issue" it was all in your mind! I hope you come back with a possitive mind and you'll have a great time here!

• Definitely the racist issue is in your mind... just how that guy said, Colombia is a old fashioned country... and they were staring at you only because you look diferent, the point is, once you meet us, you'll discovered the most friendly people in the world!!

• Well Natalia might be right They are great people there and very friendly She should know she is from there I guess

• hey Brother That sucks I played football and boxing just outside good old Detriot The best city I love my black brothers even though I am white lol Sad to here that story I am Canadian and your more than welcome to hang out and be chilled and respected,

• I disagree.... I had a totally different experience.... I saw lots of black Colombians too and I went out with Colombians of all colors.

• I met a great guy here who happens to be black. Everyone here really likes the guy; so I am not seeing the racism being spoken of. Medellin isnt just a city with a bunch of people in it. They have there own customs and culture. It takes some time to "mix in" but I would have to agree with what I have heard. In general the people here are friendly and kind.

• I would like to go to a similar place and meet some gorgeous women.

  I cannot imagine doing the same in my local area because of rejection and possible danger.

• Well my bad experience won't stop me. I plan on going to cartagena at some point this year. My ultimate goal is looking for a place to retire in 7 years.. I have seen that cartagena has a good mix of colombian and afro- colombian culture.

• so you are out of luck if you don't like reggaeton.

• There's no doubt reggaeton is hugely popular, along with salsa and vallenato, but there are alternatives like rock bars, a few electronica clubs, and a more underground scene for punk, hardcore, and metal shows.

  This list reflects my personal tastes, which have become decidedly Latin since arriving in Colombia.

• Dave - thanks for posting, think very helpful. Love seeing more music/nightlife posts! Too bad so many commenters have digressed into a caricature of terrible extranjero cliches. Son Havana is definitely a great spot for live music, but my fave has to be La Cabana del Recuerdo (found via your site, so double-thanks. Casa Teatro El Poblado (conveniently in my barrio) has a very diverse music/theater calendar. Saw an amazing 11-piece live latin-funk band and also do lots of classical.

• You're welcome Amanda! La Cabana is def a cool old school music spot :)

• Surprised by this post since most Colombians I know here are a mixture of skin color due to the influences of different cultures, black, hispanic, native. I find Colombians to not really care about skin color since most have both dark and light people in their families.

• How can you actually say this and believe it? It's well known here that lighter skin is equated with a higher class. Same in most of SA and the Dominican Republic and many countries. Racism here is alive and well and why people are covering up the racism (and laughably obvious) racism in Medellin is laughable. Are going to deny next that the class systems 1-6 Strata also don't exist? Try taking your strata 1 or 2 friend or employee to a club here and see what happens. These people have an advanced infrastructure but a 1985 mindset. They only act nice in front of black Americans because those guys are literally twice their size and have a reputation. Same with me I tower over most Colombians and outweigh them by 50+ lbs of muscle, and people are usually very polite to my face, but the second I turn my head let the shit talk and the haterade begin! Colombian men are the worst, so jealous they see red. I feel like i'm back in high school here. Most of them are simpletons stuck in 1993, and i'm not even speaking on their fashion, just their outdated thinking. Behind their well practiced smiles are lies, more lies, deceit, theft, and back stabbing. Those are facts. Any gringo telling you different has on his rose colored glasses or hates other gringos and desperately, OH so desperately, wants to believe that coming here was a good idea, even though they know deep down it wasn't. Truth?

• Having grown up there, I can categorically state your comment about lighter skin equates to a higher class in Dominican Republic is incorrect. Which makes me wonder about your statements regarding Colombian attitudes towards people of color.

  Over 70% of the Dominican population is mulatto, i.e. mixed race black and white. In other words, most of us look like this guy: http://vision-newspaper.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/president-Leonel-Fernandez.jpg

  Dominican Republic is definitely an elitist society. However, social-economic status is largely determined by money, family name and connections, The color of your skin doesn't influence whether you're high, middle or low class. If you are black, the worst offense you'll receive is you might be the butt of good natured jokes. (Mami que sera lo que quiere el negroooo?)

  To those who might bring up the current Haitians deportations as examples of Dominican racism, I say this: do a little research into the history between the two countries, Start with Toussaint L'Ouverture and look into the period 1801-1861, and you might start to realize why Dominicans don't want Haitians in the country. Hint - it has nothing to do with skin color.

• Is Medellin still fun in the rainy season? I am thinking of going in October but I read that it rains a lot more then.

• Yes, you can have fun here all year. Paisas go all out for Halloween, so it can be a lot of fun to party here that week.

  But October happens to be the wettest month of the year, so it's more likely to rain for at least a few hours every day. Usually the mornings are great, and the thunderstorms blow through in the mid-afternoon. Sometimes they clear out quick, and other times it goes into the night.

  I'd recommend September or November if possible. December is the start of the dry/summer season so there's noticeably less rain.

• While it will be months and months from now before I am anywhere near being able to visit Medellin, I do have a few questions:

  1. I am a good enough pop-rock DJ to work at a club. Is it even possible to get such a gig in Medellin? Just askin'.

  2. I am also interested in starting a band (as a singer). How difficult would it be to form an expat band in Medellin?