-
Antifaz
This rough-around-the-edges salsoteca draws a student crowd that can tolerate its abhorrent sound system. It's the only place in La Candelaria with a reasonably sized dance floor.
-
Auditorio León de Greiff
Another regular stage for invited orchestras is the Auditorio León de Greiff in the campus of the university, which usually has concerts on Saturday.
-
Bar: Be
The most respectable bar on this block, Bar: Be has a swanky upstairs bar and a much better dance floor in the basement. No cover.
-
Barbar
This three-level discotheque booms out electronic, reggae, salsa and merengue. The upstairs VIP room is all white padding and silver chrome, as if it had been designed by IKEA.
-
Bogotá Beer Company
This brew pub has a second popular Zona Rosa location; both pump out American rock music and pints of beer to Colombian yuppies and the expat crowd.
-
Café Color Café
At the Plazoleta del Chorro de Quevedo, this is one of several bohemian bars that features floor seating and cheap beer. This one also has about 50 types of coffee.
-
Café de la Estacion
A unique address, this is an old train car converted into a tiny café in the middle of the city. Coffee and snacks available.
-
Café del Sol
This coffee shop brews up all manner of cappuccinos, espressos and even Irish coffee. Snacks, sandwiches and breakfast are also available.
-
Café Para Dos
Grab a comfortable cushion, adjust your eyes to the candlelight and try the excellent canelazo de frutas, the house specialty that mixes juice, fruit and aguardiente (Colombia's most popular spirit). It also serves crepes and sandwiches. There are a few tables, but most people sit on the floor of this excellent chill-out bar.
-
Casa De Citas
Another good La Candelaria night spot, this place often has live music on weekends.
-
Advertisement
-
El Corredor De Las Vegonias
This hole-in-the-wall bar is just big enough for a hammock, a few floor cushions and a couple of tables that hold chess boards and candles. Drink menus are glued to old 45 LPs. The friendly English-speaking owner, Mauricio, plays a variety of music and can give tips on other night spots.
-
El Sitio
This ultratrendy bar has a large interior lit almost entirely by candlelight. You can expect either live music or a DJ spinning techno and rock.
-
El Viejo Almacén
El Viejo Almacén is a tango bar with a tradition going back to the 1960s. It has 4000 old tango vinyls (many of which are of 78rpm vintage), which provide a nostalgic backdrop to cheap beer. No cover.
-
Escobar Rosas
At the time of writing this was La Candelaria's most popular dance place - a gritty and very cramped two-level place spinning '70s and '80s rock. So many people are packed in here that it has to be a fire hazard, but this doesn't seem to bother the throngs, who wait by the door for a chance to squeeze inside.
-
Indigo Bar
Lively, two-level disco that attracts students with cheap booze and loud rock and salsa music. There are several other student-oriented discos on this corner.
-
Juan Valdéz
Caffeine junkies and expats love this chic outlet of the Juan Valdéz chain. Look for the glass and steel structure with the parasols outside. There's a second location at the Donación Botero .
-
La Trampa
Specializing in vallenato music, this colorful dance hall attracts a mostly student crowd who come to dance and drink large quantities of aguardiente . No cover.
-
Media Torta
Live music concerts are staged for free on Sundays at a bandstage above La Candelaria. Take the steps up from the end of Calle 18.
-
Mister Babilla
Over-the-top Cancun-type bar with everything but the kitchen sink nailed to the walls or hanging from the ceiling. Various musical rhythms include rock, merengue and salsa.
-
Museo del Tequila
Museo del Tequila, with 1585 bottles of tequila gracing its walls, this is Bogotá's unofficial 'Tequila Museum.' Gracious host Don Alfonso Gonzales personally seats his guests and proudly shows off his collection of booze. The Mexican food comes hot and heavy, served to the sound of mariachi music. Try a quesadilla, chimichanga (deep fried burrito) or platter of tacos, all served with sour cream and gobs of guacamole.
-
Advertisement
-
Nyabinghi
A small reggae bar sans dance floor; most people find a place to groove between the tables.
-
Palco 93
This live-music venue hosts premier Colombian bands most weekends.
-
Palos de Moguer
This popular pub serves beer made from its own brewery. There's sport on the TVs and American rock blaring from the speakers. It also serves pub grub, including nachos and calamari. Free wi-fi is available for anyone with a beer-proof laptop.
-
Pub
Zona Rosa wouldn't be complete without a dimly lit Irish drinking den and the Pub fills this role nicely. It has Murphy's on tap and also serves burgers and fish and chips.
-
Quiebra Canto
One of the most popular nighttime hangouts in the center, this pleasant double-level disco features various music beats on different days and has groups playing on some weekends (expect a cover for live music).
