It’s undeniable that nightlife is an integral part of the culture in Medellin. From the best bars in Medellin to nightclubs to restaurants, nightlife plays a major role in the social life for locals and tourists alike.
Nightlife establishments in Medellin are diverse enough to offer something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a casual drink or VIP treatment.
The best nightlife spots in Medellin are sure to please any traveller with their variety of atmospheres and options – no matter what your preference may be! In this article, we’ll explore the best areas to go in the city for a good time determined by the zone, El Poblado and Laureles.
Night out with local friends!
At A Glance
Best Medellin Nightlife in Colombia – El Poblado
The nightlife scene in El Poblado is unlike anything else in Medellin. With places ranging from upscale clubs to laidback bars, it just has something for everyone. Parque Lleras nightlife scene is the place to see and be seen especially on the weekends.
The nightlife in El Poblado is great for both locals and tourists alike, so it’s a good idea to bring a few friends along when you decide to go out.
Whether you’re looking for a night of dancing, chilling at some of Medellin’s best bars or catching up with friends over some drinks – El Poblado nightlife is sure to please.
1. Mi Habana
With a name like this in El Poblado, you know this place is going to be full of life and music. And when we say live music – think of finger-tapping rhythms from Cuba!
The food at Mi Habana tastes as good if not better than it sounds (the portions are huge). So come here for a real taste of Colombian nightlife and an unforgettable night out in town with friends or loved ones that’ll have your taste buds dancing all over too.
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2. Alambique
One of the best things about Medellin is that it has so many hidden gems. For those looking for something more high-end for a good Colombian nightlife, head to Alambique. Be prepared to search around a little before finding this beautiful spot!
The cocktails are amazing – don’t forget you can grab some food (which is amazing) too if hunger strikes while sipping on your favourite cocktails.
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3. The Charlee Hotel
This Medellin rooftop bar at the Charlee Hotel is a must-see for anyone who loves an upscale environment and views. The drinks are also top-notch, so you can enjoy your evening without breaking any bank accounts!
Head over early to avoid crowds or else plan on getting stuck in line with everyone else heading there after work—it’s no fun when all we want to do is chill but we have to wait in line instead.
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4. Buena Vista
The good news is that you don’t have to wait forever for your next salsa dance lesson.
Sure, there are some people who prefer getting their toes deeper into the social scene by going out late at night with friends or dancing in front of strangers on stage – but if all this sounds like too much work, then head over to Buena Vista bar near Parque Lleras (in El Poblado). Here they play Latin music, so isn’t technically a Salsa Bar! But I love authenticity when it comes down to raw music and local flavour.
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5. Mad Radio
Mud Radio is a great place to go if you want some outdoor seating with your music. They have DJs that perform every weekend, so it’ll definitely keep any party going until 2 am!
Also, it’s a good idea to pace yourself and drink water between drinks because you don’t want that night out to end early.
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6. Andres Carne de Res
You can find this Medellin club-cum-restaurant right outside of El Poblado, which is a good thing considering they have tons of different types of imported and local alcohol!
The place is decorated wonderfully and has a vintage Colombian vibe to it so if you want to experience nightlife like a local in Medellin, head over here and make your night unforgettable.
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7. 20Mission Cerveza & Gastropub
If you’re looking for a place with good craft beer, 20Missions Cerveza is the best choice! I’m sure every time you go there, you’ll always happy with your selection.
This excellent place closes at 2 am on weekends, and on Tuesdays, my favourite day, there’s a ribs party and live music!
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8. El Arranque Bar
El Arranque, a small cafe in the centre of town, serves great coffee and cocktails, as well as delicious food. They are perfect for dates and social gatherings!
If you like live music, go there on a weekend, you will love it, they close at 2 am so no rush.
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9. Discoteca Cabrón | Parque Lleras
Only opens on Friday and Saturday, yep that’s right, 2 days a week!
But I think that adds to the nightlife in the Medellin experience. What’s also great is that the night begins at 8 pm and goes on until 4:00 am! So you can definitely party hard and make those beautiful night photos from Parque Lleras!
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10. Bar El Blue
The Blue Bar is the perfect place for music enthusiasts. It has live bands on Friday nights and a DJ lounge every Saturday, this may change with time so try to ask beforehand. Here’s the phone number listed on Maps: +5742663047
While you’re there, try to get a seat near the stage so you can see all of the action first-hand!
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Best Medellin Nightlife in Colombia – Laureles
The nightlife scene in the Laureles district is much easier on the pockets than nightlife in El Poblado because it’s much less accessible to tourists. So you’ll be spending most nights with other Medellin nightlife lovers, which is always fun.
This is a great option if you’re looking for something laidback and casual. This nightlife district has it all from clubs and bars to outdoor patios and dance clubs.
While the nightlife in Laureles isn’t as swanky and upscale as nightlife in El Poblado, it doesn’t lack options, because the nightlife here has definitely grown during recent years, mostly due to its increasing popularity among tourists and foreigners alike.
1. El Social Tienda Mixta desde 1969
El Social has been around for over 50 years. This bar is known to be the ultimate spot in Medellin where you can enjoy great Salsa, cheap drinks and an amazing view of nightlife! It’s only open until 2 am so head there soon before they close up shop.
What I like about this place is that you can easily dance and drink with locals. The dance floor is not crowded, but definitely full of energy!
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2. Barrio Central Cafe Bar
Going out with friends or on a date? Then the Barrio Central Medellin is your spot.
I like to sit outside when it’s warm and watch all those sports games playing in HD. It’s fun because everyone here seems really young – they’re always up for an adventure if you want one too (just make sure not to get carried away).
The food at this place isn’t bad either; there are plenty of options that will satisfy any appetite without breaking the bank account. And if you happen to get hungry late at night, make sure to bring your appetite to this nightlife district, because you can get food any time of the night!
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3. Panorama Rooftop Bar
Panorama Rooftop Bar is a great Medellin nightlife spot for groups and offers some of the best views in the city. The nightlife scene at this rooftop bar is upscale and attracts some of the city’s best nightlife crowds.
The atmosphere of this nightlife scene is perfect if you’re looking to be seen, as it’s a hotspot for Medellin nightlife elites. The popular rooftop bar in Medellin is open from Thursday to Saturday.
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4. La Charcu 70
When you want to enjoy a drink with friends while watching people go by, head over to La Charcu.
This Colombia bar has excellent beers from around the world and their cocktails aren’t too shabby either. There’s no need for any more convincing; just check out this spot now so you know what I mean by the real Colombian nightlife!
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5. Cafe Zeppelin
Cafe Zeppelin is a great place to go if you want some more laidback atmosphere. It’s open until late and has live music, which makes it feel less like an ordinary bar than most other places along La 70!
That’s right, no nightlife in Medellin is complete without a night at Cafe Zeppelin. This cafe has it all – from cool places to dance the night away to places where you can sit back, relax and enjoy a cold drink.
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6. Cafe Cliche
I can’t remember if I mentioned this before, but Cafe Cliche has the best house wine; It’s so cheap and delicious!
And it makes for a lot of fun nights in Medellin there with friends because you’ll be drinking to your fill while having a good time.
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7. Son Havana Bar
A great salsa dance nightlife spot in Medellin is Son Havana Bar. The music is upbeat, the alcohol is cheap, and it’s one of my favourite places in Medellin to go out on weekends!
You should go every Friday night for some dancing action, but it’s also open any other day except Sunday and Monday, so you can come if your feet just need a break from all those high heels.
The live band makes everything more lively, there’s no such thing as bad music here.
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8. Del Patio Bar
Del Patio Bar is that place in Medellin at night that you go when you’re on a budget but still want to have a good time; that doesn’t make it a bad place though. Go and you’ll understand what I mean.
They have great food and it’s cheap! It’s open until 1 am, so after that, you can look for another place close by or finish the night in Medellin if you’re an early sleeper.
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9. El Tíbiri Bar
If you’re looking for some good salsa music and great company on your hunt for a good nightlife spot in Medellin, then head on over to El Tibiri.
This place is a small hot cave but it’s home to the best dancers in Medellin! You’ll get an amazing insight into what makes Medellin so alive at night with all its different cultures coming together through dance.
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10. Shoko
If you’re a nightlife lover, then chances are you’ll fit right in at this nightlife spot in Medellin. There are different types of events in Shoko all the time, so pay attention, something nice may be going on during your time in Medellin!
This Medellin bar is always packed and makes for a good time. There’s no dress code here, so you can roll in any outfit as you like. The nightlife here is also quite cheap, so you’ll spend more money on drinks than on your wardrobe.
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Nightlife is an integral part of the culture in Medellin, Colombia. From bars to clubs to restaurants, nightlife plays a major role in social life for locals and tourists alike.
Medellin’s nightlife establishments are diverse enough to offer something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a casual drink or VIP treatment – no matter what your preference may be!
Safety in Medellin, Colombia
When it comes to safety in Medellin, it’s important to take some basic precautions. The city, like any other, has its share of crime, so it’s always best to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when necessary.
The best way to stay safe is to avoid walking alone at night at “dangerous” spots, although getting stolen in plain daylight also happens. So try to avoid carrying too much cash or valuables on you.
More importantly, don’t put your phone and wallet in open pockets. As Colombians like to say, “Dar papaya”, which means that you offer the opportunity to get stolen, like carrying a lot of cash and showing it all while just buying a drink in the middle of the road. If you do need to walk around at night, try to stick to well-lit areas and avoid deserted streets.
It’s also a good idea to have the number of a local taxi service handy, just in case you need to get home late at night. And finally, always be aware of who’s around you and what they may be trying to do; there can always be someone with bad intentions just waiting for an opportunity…
As always, when travelling, it’s advisable to always have insurance. I personally go with Safetywing as it has lots of flexibility on the duration of your travel as well as where you’re buying it from. Not to mention, prices start as low as USD 42 for 4 weeks of travel coverage.
Get your quote here!
Things To Know Before Hitting The Nightlife In Medellin, Colombia
Pickpockets are very common in Colombia, so it’s best to keep valuables out of sight.
Never get into an Uber or taxi that already has someone inside, you never know who it could be – this is especially true if the Uber or taxi doesn’t have a company logo on the car or if they’re driving a nice personal vehicle.
Avoid standing alone in dark areas, as this makes you more vulnerable to criminals.
If you need to send money to someone, try using an ATM instead of exchanging cash with a stranger. In addition, if possible, avoid night buses as much as possible.
The Colombian nightlife has been growing more and more popular each day, especially the nightlife in Medellin. Therefore, if you are interested in going out at night in Medellin, keep these tips in mind so that you can best enjoy your night out in Medellin!
Prostitution In Medellin, Colombia
In case you’re curious, prostitution is legal in Medellin, so you can have a lot of “fun” there! Did you know that prostitutes in Medellin are cheaper than most places?
You can find a lot of them, and they’re not too expensive. That’s probably because it’s legal for people to work as prostitutes here.
Just head to the places close to the party and you’ll most likely encounter them.
How To Get Around Medellin, Colombia
When it comes to getting around Medellin, there are a few different options available. We recommend Uber/ Didi, Taxi and the bus system.
The best way to get around in Medellin is to order an Uber, especially when there are just 2 or 3 of you. However, Uber isn’t the only way to get around Medellin. If you’re travelling with a group of friends or you’re looking to get around more cheaply, maybe you should try the bus or taxi system.
By Uber/ Didi
Uber or Didi are great ways to get around Medellin as it’s reliable and affordable. The app can be downloaded onto your smartphone and you can easily request a ride from wherever you are.
The best part about Uber is that there is no need to worry about cash – the fare will be charged directly to your credit card or PayPal account. Just make sure you have an active data plan as you will need to have internet connectivity to call for an Uber/ Didi ride.
By Taxi
Taxis are also a great option in Medellin as they’re easy to catch and usually arrive within a few minutes. If you’re not sure where the taxi stand is, just ask someone for help as everyone will know where it is.
Make sure you negotiate the price upfront and confirm the rate before getting in the taxi as they can vary depending on distance and location. Sometimes they have a meter which would also ensure the fee is transparent.
By Bus
We do not recommend night buses however, if you’re looking to get around and want to save money, the night bus is a good way to do that night bus in Colombia takes you to most of the nightlife areas but you most likely will have to walk a few blocks.
If you’re visiting Medellin for the first time and want to explore what makes its nightlife so great, this guide will help get you started. You’ll find that there are plenty of Medellin nightclubs in Parque Lleras or Comuna 13 (among other neighbourhoods) to meet new people and eat good food.
If bars aren’t your thing but clubs are more up your alley, we’ve even included a list of some top-rated spots.
Remember: safety should always come before anything else! Be aware of who’s around you at all times, don’t walk alone at night, avoid deserted streets when possible – these are just a few things that can keep you safe while travelling!
