Bogotá Nightlife

Bogotá Nightlife

If you enjoy going out, or as it is called “salir a rumbear” Bogotá clubs won’t let you down! Recognized for its night tourism from North to South and from East to West, you will find endless clubs and bars. By hosting countless cultures, Bogotá is home to places specialized in musical genres (salsa, merengue, vallenato, champeta, reguetón, techno, electronica, jazz, and rock), LGTB clubs, terraces, discos among other places with incredible atmospheres that will experience an unforgettable night.

With exclusive venues, renowned DJ, live music, drinks, and food options to please all kinds of visitors, there is an ideal place for everyone. The city is divided by nightly entertainment sectors, among which stand out the Zona Rosa, Zona T, Parque 93, Usaquén, La Candelaria, Galerías, Modelia, Chapinero, Avenida Primera de Mayo and outside the city (La Calera and Chia). Depending on your place of accommodation, your musical taste, and even your mood, you can choose the best nightclub in Bogotá for you.

Sectors

Usaquén

Located in the North of the city, it is one of the most traditional and exclusive areas of Bogotá, its majestic buildings and streets still retain colonial architecture. This neighborhood is known as the town within the city. It has a charming parish, hospital, market, and school built over 340 years ago. If you enjoy night walks, you can tour the neighborhood and try the traditional canezalo (hot drink made from aguardiente, agua de panela, and cinnamon), perfect for the cold of the night. If you prefer quieter plans and share some drinks and music with your friends, here are some options for the best places in the area:

London calling: known as the beer’s temple, offers a good menu of international, national, and craft beers, its food and snack menu includes dishes from England, Germany, and the United States. It’s located on Calle 120a No. 6a-28 and is open from Monday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m.

Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar Bogotá: with a new brand, Pedro Mandinga bets on the rum culture designed for cocktails, and also offers quality snacks such as tequeños, quesadillas, spicy chickpeas, and empanadas. It’s located on Calle 117 No. 6a-05 and is open from Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and from Friday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The average price is $60.000 Colombian pesos.

Bogotá Beer Company (BBC): if you prefer craft beer, you should visit the BBC, in addition to offering a wide variety of beer made with the best natural ingredients, enjoy the exquisite snacks in a classic rock atmosphere. It’s located on Calle 119b No. 6-13 and is open from Monday through Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. from Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The average price is between $40.000 and $60.000 Colombian pesos.

Galerías

Located in the heart of the city, it is a neighborhood easily accessible from anywhere in the city. Galerias is recognized for being a commercial sector and for its countless stores along Calle 53. Surrounded by important entities such as Campin Stadium, Movistar Arena, Club Cubo Colsubsidio, and others, attracts thousands of visitors daily. At night it opens its doors for locals and tourists to enjoy its bars and clubs and its famous dance floors. Some options to dance salsa, enjoy live shows and the parties are:

Pachanga y Pochola: this place is perfect for salsa music lovers! if you are not a good dancer, don’t worry! there you can practice, learn, or simply enjoy the performance of the great dancers to the rhythm of the best Latin salsa, Cuba timba, and chirimía. The place has two floors and a large dance floor, only charge admission when there are live performances, this platform has witnessed renowned groups such as Son de Cali, Guayacán, ChocQuibTown, Anddy Caicedo among others. It’s located on Carrera 27 No. 57-41 and is open from Thursday to Saturday.

Toni-k VIP: if you like to party until the dawn we recommend you visit Tonik-k VIP which is open until 5:00 a.m.! with live performance and dazzling decoration, this bar offers you an amazing crossover party and the best part fair prices. It’s located on Carrera 27 No. 52-36 and is open from Thursday through Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Tabu Studio Bar: crossover music, LED screens, and a capacity for 380 attenders, this incredible theme bar features stunt shows and staging by talented artists. It offers a variety of liquors such an aguardiente, whiskey, rum, tequila, vodka, and beer, the average prices are between $100.000 and $350.000 Colombian pesos depending on your choice. It’s located on Carrera 27 No. 52-24 and is open Friday and Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Modelia

Modelia is known for its abundance of parks and green areas, located to West of the city it used to be a residential area. However, it currently has a large number of restaurants, bars, clubs, and various establishments. It is surrounded by banks, schools, and churches, in addition to being very close to El Dorado Airport. It is very popular during weekends for having approximately 93 bars, among which the following stand out:

La Lupe: mariachi performance, Mexican food, and an extensive liquor menu. It’ located on Calle 24c No. 75-24 and is open from Wednesday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Tokyo Urbano Bar: live performance, concerts of recognized artists, and an impressive lighting and sounds system, it’s located on Calle 24c No. 75-24.

Dejavu Bar: crossover music, a variety of liquors with comfortable prices, it’s located on Calle 24c No. 75-21, and is open from Thursday through Saturday and Sunday before holidays from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

La Candelaria

Located in the Eastern center of the city, it is an important historical reference due to Bogotá was founded in this town by Mr. Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. In La Candelaria is the Plaza de Bolívar, headquarter buildings as the Casa de Nariño and the Palacio de Liévano, museums, theaters, cultural centers, churches, and important schools and universities. With its bohemian and artistic style, La Candelaria will always be an excellent option to visit during the day or at night.

El Chorro de Quevedo: located in the historic center of the city on Calle 12b No. 22, this outdoor space serves as a stage for street artists. There you can try the traditional drink chicha.

Quiebra Canto: with a unique decoration, a salsa music atmosphere and a variety of national liquors (aguardiente and rum) and imported (vodka, gin, beer, wine, and whiskey), It’s located at Carrera 5 No. 17-76 and is open Wednesday and Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

El Candelario: it is a great proposal to have fun in Bogotá and enjoying good music and some drinks. It’s located on Carrera 5 No. 13-14 and is open from Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Chapinero

Chapinero is located in the Northeast of the city, it is a contrast area since it is home to hotels, restaurants, universities, art galleries, and coffee shops. Most of the music culture of bogotanos has developed there and it is also home to the gay area of the city. Acclaimed and favored by tourists, it offers an amazing nightlife hosting the largest gay club in Latin America, it is renowned for its incredible live music shows, DJ and shows by drags. Its best clubs are:

Theatron: it is the largest gay club in the country, and one of the iconic stages of Bogotá, it has 14 stages each with a particular atmosphere and music, from drags shows, carnivals, international DJ, erotic shows, electronic music, urban, rock, pop, retro, salsa, reguetón, spaces just for women, among others. The price of the admission is $50.000 Colombian pesos that are consumable in an open bar for national drinks until 2:00 a.m. and gives access to all the environments, keep in mind the admission charge does not include drinks not available at the bar and food. It’s located on Calle 58 No. 10-32.

Asilo Bar: a place to disconnect from the conventional, with a musical atmosphere between punk, new wave, the ’80s, ’90s, Rock&Roll, indie, electronica, and disco. It’s located on Av. Caracas No. 40-66 and is open Friday and Saturday from 9:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Casa Babylon: it is a niche of culture and artistic development for local and international talent, its reggae and afro scene has developed high-level shows. It’s located on Calle 49 No. 7-27 and is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before holidays from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Parque 93

Parque 93 is a renowned entertainment and nightlife center of the city. Located North of Bogotá in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods, it is recognized for its restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and terraces. It is a perfect meeting point to close business, a love date, or just go out to have fun with friends.

Galería Café Libro: with a Caribbean atmosphere and live performances, this restaurant-bar offers an extensive food and drinks menu, among which stand out grilled dishes, skewers, salads, and desserts. On the other hand, it offers national and imported liquors such as whiskey, vodka, tequila, gin, cognac, brandy, champagne, wine, rum, cocktails, beer, and non-liquor drinks. It’s located on Carrera 11a No. 93-42.

Sutton Club: with a concept that breaks traditional patterns, this exclusive club offers a robust menu of national and international liquors and a select cocktail bar, complement by the best atmosphere. It’s located on Carrera 15 No. 93-37.

Salto del Ángel: located in front of Parque 93 on Carrera 13 No. 93a-45, it is a good place to party, with a menu of food for all tastes, from sandwiches to seafood, and all kinds of liquors such cocktails, whiskey, tequila, rum, aguardiente, and beer. It is open from Monday through Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Zona Rosa and Zona T

If you are in Bogotá, you can’t leave without going out to the Zona Rosa, or as it’s known Calle 85! Internationally recognized for its restaurants, bars, clubs, and malls, it’s located between Calles 79 and 85 and Carreras 11 and 15. It’s visited by thousands of locals and tourists especially during the weekends at night. Within the Zona Rosa is the Zona T, so-called because it is delimited by two pedestrian streets that form a T. Give yourself the opportunity to spend a wonderful night that you will surely want to repeat!

4.40 Music Hall: this restaurant-bar is dedicated to music from all over the world, with live performance creating a magical atmosphere. It’s located on Carrera 13 No. 83-47 and is open from Thursday to Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Sunday and holidays from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

La Casa en el Aire: crossover music and live performances, this cozy place is inspired by one of the most famous songs of the vallenato genre. With a charming decoration, it offers delicious snacks to share and an extensive liquor menu. It’s located on Carrera 13 No. 82-37 and is open from Thursday to Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Cantina La 15: with a Mexican concept and mariachi performances, this restaurant-bar offers multiple options for your palate, including fajitas, flautas, quesadillas, salads, tacos, soups, fish, and meat. On the other hand, its liquor menu offers cocktails, gin & tonics, tequila, whiskey, vodka, aguardiente, wine, and beer. It’s located on Carrera 13 No. 83-57.

Armando Records: located on a terrace, it ‘s considered one of the best bars in the city, it has a different atmosphere with electronic music, rock, and crossover. It offers an extensive menu such as hamburgers, pizza, salads. On the other hand, it offers liquors such a whiskey, rum, tequila, beer, gin, wine, aguardiente, cocktails, and non-liquor drinks. It’s located on Calle 85 No. 15-30 and is open from Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Andrés D.C: with an exquisite menu of food and drinks, it is undoubtedly on the favorite places by locals and foreigners. This charming place has a magical and extravagant decoration, with four floors inspired by the Divine Comedy, you could enjoy a spectacular party crossover and delight in the delicious Colombian dishes, It’s located on Calle 82 No. 12-21.

La Primera de Mayo

Located South of the city, Avenida Primera de Mayo is home to the largest concentration of bars and clubs in the city, with approximately 520 establishments. This place is characterized by its cheap prices for drinks and food. Among the places of interest found in its surroundings are Plaza de las Americas Shopping Center, Mundo Aventura Park, and Olaya Herrera State Park. If you are interested in frequenting this sector, it is important to keep in mind that it can be a little dangerous, since there are high rates of thefts and street fights. The best places are:

Café Canterbury: free admission, live music, food, and drinks at fair prices. It’s located on Carrera 71 No. 3a-37 and is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Baracoa Music Hall: this entertainment center offers parties, concerts, events, and more! Located on Avenida 1 de mayo No. 69a-16, it opens from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Ascanio Disco Bar: it offers the best party in the sector with excellent events with artists and radio stations, it’s located on Carrera 7d sur No. 8-84, is open Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Outside the City (Chía and La Calera)

The fun is not limited within the city, outside Bogotá, there are excellent places to go out at night. One of the places that you definitely need to visit is the renowned Andres Carne de Res, this restaurant-bar is a unique place. With is extravagant decoration, it offers an exquisite menu of food and national and imported liquors and a spectacular crossover party, it’s located on Calle 13 No. 11a-56 Chía. From the North and West exists of the city, it takes approximately 40 minutes to arrive by car.

If in addition to a good party, you want to enjoy an incredible view, we recommend you visit La Calera, one of the most exclusive places in undoubtedly Compostela, located at kilometer 6 via La Calera, this spectacular site has a capacity for 1500 people, offers a crossover party and also has restaurant service, open Friday and Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. It is recommended to take a taxi or a car, it is approximately 25 minutes from Zona T. Don’t miss the opportunity to take incredible pictures and enjoy a spectacular night!

Gay Nightlife

Bogotá is a diverse city, although not all rights of the LGTB community are recognized, it’s currently working to positively impact the life quality of its community. Chapinero is considered the gay area of the city so it is common to see different homosexual couples, however, it is good to be careful when in public since not all the people have the same level of tolerance.

Taking about have fun, Bogotá offers endless entertainment establishments and there are even tours to the best gay clubs in the city. As previously mentioned, Bogotá is home to the largest gay club in Latin America Theatron, however, there are other gay clubs that are worth visiting.

Located on Carrera 9 No. 59-22, El Perro y la Calandria is a nice place to listen to the traditional old songs in Spanish Languages, have you heard about Juan Gabriel or Rocio Durcal? Give yourself a chance to try a different environment and why not to sing aloud, you will certainly love it. If you enjoy going out on weekdays, you can’t miss Cavu’s drag show on Wednesday night, it’s located on Carrera 15 No. 88-71.

A fun and a different option can be El Recreo de Adan, relax with table games while eating and enjoy the famous giant cocktail for three people! Some options to eat are pizzas, hamburgers, and nachos. The atmosphere is a mixture of rhythms like pop, rock in English, and Spanish and modern. This restaurant-bar is located on Carrera 12a No. 79-45 and the average price is $60.000 Colombian pesos.

Other Options

Perhaps you have heard about the chivas numberas, these traditional buses are set with music and drinks and they take tours of the nightly entertainment sectors.

Another option that is quite popular in the neighborhood stores, although they don’t offer a party, the drink is very cheap. It is popular to see people after work enjoying a beer and a good talk with friends or coworkers, or a group of friends playing table games and listening to music from the jukeboxes and of course enjoying a cold beer or a shot of aguardiente.

In addition to enjoying a night in the city, there is added value if you are interested in a cultural and language exchange, we recommend going to Gringo Tuesday! As its name mentioned, this activity takes place on Tuesdays, it starts at 5:00 p.m. and it is an excellent initiative to practice a language with natives. Best of all, when the language activity is over at 9:00 p.m. start the party! It’s located on Calle 85 No. 11-53.

After Party

Most of bars in Bogotá are open until 2 or 3 in the morning, however, there are some places allow until 5:00 a.m! if you enjoy partying until the dawn, you should visit some of these bars:

La Cacik: calle 116 No. 19-40 (Usaquén)
Chula 116: calle 116 No. 19-50 (Usaquén)
El Chupe 116: carrera 19 No. 117-05 (Usaquén)
Kaputt: calle 72a No. 20-12 (Barrios Unidos)
La Chula: carrera 13 No. 82-58 (Chapinero)
La Santa: carrera 17 No. 17-47 sur (Antonio Nariño)
Marino Submarino: calle 59 No. 13-34 (Chapinero)
Matildelina: calle 81 No. 11-34 (Chapinero)
Paradise Natural Party: calle 71d No. 6-61 sur (Kennedy)
Plaza México: calle 116 No. 19-66 (Usaquén)
Sector 9: calle 72a No. 20-12 (Barrios Unidos)
Theatron Bar: calle 58 bis No. 10-32 (Chapinero)
4.40 Music Hall: carrera 13 No. 83-47 (Chapinero)
Armando All Stars: calle 85 No. 14-46 (Chapinero)
Armando Records: calle 85 No. 14-46 (Chapinero)

Late Night Food

If you are hungry after a good party, don’t worry about it! there are several places where you can eat even if it’s 3 or 4 in the morning. Here we recommend some of them:

Caldo Parado: it is undoubtedly one of the favorites of the bogotanos, it has a 24-hours service and guarantees good food. There are many throughout the city.

Desayunadero El Cañon del Chicamocha: located on calle 57 No. 9-05, Chapinero, it offers several main dishes and has 24-hours service.

Desayunadero Tony: it offers typical santaderiana food, is open 24-hours a day, and is located on Carrera 17 No. 50-90.

Don Beto: located in the North of the city, it’s famous for its fast food, and the best has the delivery service until 5:00 a.m.

Another option may be to eat at service stations or a restaurant chain as El Corral or McDonald’s which have 24-hours service.

Drinks

Besides enjoying the charming city atmosphere and music, go for a local drink! The main ones are:

Aguardiente: is the national drink, made from sugar cane and anise, it is taken in shots and in cocktails, if it is recommended not to take it in large quantities or as a consequence you may suffer a terrible hangover the next day. The main local brands are Antioqueño, Néctar, Cristal, Caucano y Llanero.

Rum: different from the aguardiente, rum is marked by its aging, made with virgin cane honey, it can be taken pure, with coke or soda, as you prefer! The most recognized national brands are Ron Viejo de Caldas, Ron Santa Fe y Ron Medellin.

Beer: this popular drink is found in every entertainment establishment, among the national brands stand out is Club Colombia, Águila, Poker, Costeña, Andina, and Redd’s. Also, you can find craft beers.

Chicha: if you want to try something more traditional, dare to drink chicha! This indigenous drink made from the corn fermented in water was the protagonist in important religious ceremonies and rites in colonial times. You can’t find chicha in any bar or club in the city, this drink is very popular in La Candelaria.

Other liquors: if you prefer other drinks, this is not a problem! Usually, all the establishments offer a wide selection or liquor including tequila, gin, wine, whiskey, vodka, cocktails, and non-liquor drinks.

Drink prices vary depending on the establishment.

Food

You have two options, pick a restaurant nearby the party place or to eat in there. The restaurant bar offers an extensive food menu where you can find grilled dishes, fish, salad, soups, and dessert. On the other hand, bars offer snacks and small plates to share. Delight yourself with delicious empanadas with aji, some patacones with hogao and arepitas with cheese, you have a whole menu to choose from!

Dress Code

Some places have a dress code, most exclusive places do not allow men or women to wear sports shoes, gym clothes, or caps. For men blazers work very well, it can be combined with shirts, t-shirts, jeans, or pants, dark colors are the most appropriate. For women, vibrant colors are always welcome in all outfits, depending on your tastes and personality. Usually, young women challenge the cold weather of the city and wear short dresses or skirts and high heels. On the other hand, there are those who prefer to wear jeans or leggings, accompanied by a striking shirt or blouse, with accessories and a handbag. The most important to define what to wear is knowing where you are going and the type of celebration it is.

Regardless of the outfit you choose, it’s recommended to wear a jacket or sweater as this city is usually quite cold at night, and before going to a specific place check if they have a dress code or not.

Safety

There are sectors of the city that are more insecure than others, however, we recommend taking the same precautions to go out during the night:

Take public transport through applications such a Uber, Didi, or Beat.
If you need to go to the ATM, avoid going late at night, usually bars accept different payment methods.
Don’t accept drinks from strangers.
Take care of your personal objects.
Don’t leave your drinks alone as malicious people could alter them to cause robberies.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption as this can be the cause of fights.

Transport

Bogotá has different public transport options, which will easily take you to the place you want to get to. The fastest is Transmilenio, this transport system has stations along the main roads of the city, the price of a one-way ticket is $2.500 Colombian pesos, to access it you must buy a rechargeable card which has a price of $5.000 Colombian pesos. Please note that if you don’t get off the station to take a different route you don’t need to pay for another ticket.

Another alternative is the SITP (Integrated Transportation System), to take it you can use the same Transmilenio access card, the price per way is $2.300 Colombian pesos. Or you can take a taxi by application or directly from the street, or request a car through Uber, Didi, or Beat.

Recommendations

In Colombia, the age of majority for alcohol consumption and access to the clubs and bars is 18 years old.

Some places charge admission especially after 9:00 p.m. usually the prices are between $15.000 and $30.000 Colombian pesos, some of them are consumable. It is recommended to call or check the website of the place if they charge admission or not.

Sometimes the ID is requested to verify your age, don’t forget it!

Enjoy a great experience in Bogotá, this city knows how to have fun!

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