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Cartagena Nightlife: Sunset Cocktails, Chic Lounges and Salsa Clubs
Top Bars for Drinks, Dancing & Live Music in Cartagena, Colombia
When the sun goes down in the magical city of Cartagena de Indias, it's usually still quite hot—and I'm not just talking about the climate. After a lazy day at the beach, or a cultured one of exploring museums, you'll want to cool down with a mojito, and then head out later for a salsa-filled night on the town. Here are some choice spots in town for cocktails and dancing…
Chiva Party Bus
For a true Colombian experience, spend a night on a Chiva party bus. It seems touristy, but locals love it, and it's a raucous good time—so drop the "I'm too cool" attitude and climb aboard! The rickety old school buses have open windows, are painted in wild colors, and provide a bar, snacks, and musicians. "It's super fun," says Isabel Pinto, a Columbia native and executive recruiter in New York. "They give you a tour of the city, including a stop at a historic plaza to watch dancers perform to traditional Afro-Caribbean music, and you end up at a night club. You can also take sightseeing tours during the day." Evening trips are 3.5 hours long, cost about $13 all-inclusive, and depart at 8 p.m. from select hotels in Bocagrande. Chivas seat up to 40+ people, and can be booked for private parties—although it's more fun to mix with the locals …
Cartagena de Indias, Bolivar
Colombia
Café del Mar
Go here for sunset cocktails on your first night in Cartagena, and you'll gain a 360° perspective on why the city is a one-of-a-kind gem. Perched on the thick fortress walls of the Old Town—complete with original canons—the open air restaurant and bar offers views of the Caribbean on one side, and the colonial district on the other. Stop by for pre-dinner drinks, or for the trendy late-night scene, where attractive locals and international visitors lounge on couches and listen to DJ-spun beats. Sections of the terrace can be rented out for private parties.
Café del Mar
Baluarte Santo Domingo
Centro Histórico
Cartegena de Indias, Bolivar
Colombia
+57 5 664 6513
cafe@cafedelmarcolombia.com
Mister Babilla
Put on your dancing shoes! Mr. Babilla is a beloved Cartagena classic for dancing to salsa and Latin pop music. Don't expect a trendy interior; it looks more like a large restaurant, with walls painted tropical colors and trimmed with Colombian knick-knacks. There isn't even a proper spacious dancefloor, so revelers often stand on chairs, tables and the bar to shake their hips (if you plan on doing that, go easy on the margaritas!). Babilla is located within the walled city, in the less touristy Getsemaní district, a short taxi ride from Centro.
Mister Babilla
8B – 137 Avienda del Arsenal
Getsemaní
Cartagena de Indias, Bolivar
Cartagena
+57 5 664 7005
Café Havana
Step inside the bar of this shabby historic building, with its high ceilings, black-and-white photos of Cuban music legends, and potted palms, and you'll be transported to old Havana. Located on a street corner in the less salubrious but up-and-coming Getsemaní barrio, the club suits its slogan of "La Esquina del Movimiento," which means "the corner of movement"; when live bands perform on the small platform stage, you can't help but swing your hips, or at least tap your toes. The joint is packed to its wrought-iron window grills on most weekends with a mixed crowd dancing, sipping mojitos and smoking Cuban cigars into the wee hours …
Café Havana
Calle Media Luna con Calle del Guerrero
Getsemaní
Cartagena de Indias, Bolivar
Colombia
+57 315 690 2566
El Coro Lounge & Bar at Hotel Santa Clara Sofitel
A chic spot with air conditioning and a good list of international liquors (this is the French-owned Sofitel, after all). Fashioned after a library and living room, it's subdued in the afternoon and early evening, when you can sit on a white couch and read a book or newspaper. Later, the music is turned up, and on some nights during high-season it becomes more of a club with featured DJs.
El Coro Lounge & Bar
39 – 29 Calle Del Torno
Barrio San Diego, Centro Histórico
Cartagena de Indias, Bolivar
Colombia
+57 5 650 4700
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