Cartagena Entertainment

Entertainment in Cartagena

  1. A

    Café del Mar

    Ocean breezes swoop in off the coast and blow on the Beautiful People at this sexy outdoor lounge high atop the western ramparts of the old city. Spectacular views to Bocagrande recall Tel Aviv at night, while the restrooms are practically in Panama. DJs spin nightly from in front of an old lookout tower. A must-see.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Mister Babilla

    This massive, multi-space club is the city’s best, filled wall-to-ceiling with everything from bird cages to oak barrels to Aerosmith records: there’s enough bric-a-brac here to host the world’s largest garage sale. The floor is packed, too, with warm-blooded colombianos hell bent on a modeling contract.

    reviewed

  3. C

    La Casa de la Cerveza

    A chic spot set high atop the city’s walls, with stupendous views out toward Castillo de San Felipe. DJs spin tracks nightly and, in case you get hungry, there’s also a parrillada (restaurant serving grilled meat) with meals priced from COP$20,000 to COP$42,000).

    reviewed

  4. D

    Donde Fidel

    Salsa all day, every day is the calling at this hotspot under the city’s old walls. Inside, a mixed crowd shimmies and shakes to salsa in cramped quarters while the outside terrace – full of younger revelers waiting for Tu Candela to open – grooves to the reverberations.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Café Havana

    If you’re not into discos but still want to shake your rump, this Cuban hotspot – good for an early evening mojito as well – turns into an all-out salsa throwdown after 11pm that carries out into the street. The musicians aren’t Cuban, but you’d never know.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Tu Candela

    The narrow, shotgun-style layout of this bar/club makes liberal use of exposed brick – it feels a bit like partying in a wine cave – and is decorated with tribal masks, old transistor radios and brass instruments. The cover charge is recoupable in drinks.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Leon de Baviera

    Run by an expat German named Stefan, this is one of the city’s few true watering holes. The intimate space fills quickly with locals swilling back 3L tubes of European and local brews. The waitresses are dressed in their St Pauli Girl’s best.

    reviewed

  8. Quiebra-Canto

    It gets tight with an eclectic crowd of all shapes and sizes at this excellent Getsemaní spot for salsa, Cuban and reggae. It’s on the second floor overlooking Pegasos and the clock tower. Beers for COP$6000 mean you pay for the privilege.

    reviewed

  9. Ritmo Caribe

    This small techno place has a bombing base that doesn't allow for much conversation, but it's great if you just want to dance. It's free on weekdays but charges a cover on weekends.

    reviewed

  10. Via Apia

    This lively tapas bar is one of the best places in the center for evening drinks and good music. They also have a big-screen TV projecting either football matches or music videos.

    reviewed

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  12. H

    Ceiba

    If the street juice-stands scare you, this is a lovely sanitized version on Plaza de los Coches. All the yummy fruits are represented in a much cleaner, hipper environment.

    reviewed

  13. I

    Via Libre

    Only open one night a week, this gay-and-lesbian-friendly discotheque also plays loud thumping music, but is more casual than Lincoln Road.

    reviewed

  14. Lincoln Road

    Open on weekends, this ultra-flash gay club has fiery lasers, strobe lights and pumping music, plus the occasional strip tease.

    reviewed