Entertainment in Northwest Colombia
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Zona Rosa
To truly understand Medellín, you have to see its people in party mode. Paisas love to dress up, show off, throw some money around, and have a good time while they're at it.
The center of the action is around Parque Lleras in El Poblado, an area that is also known as the Zona Rosa. Roughly between Calles 9 and 10A, and Carreras 36 and 42, it draws the young, the beautiful, the rich, the surgically augmented and the merely enthusiastic. The area is packed with restaurants, bars and discos, many of which have large outdoor patios. Bars and clubs come in and out of fashion very quickly, so for the latest word on the street head to Parque Lleras and confer with locals. Cove…
reviewed
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Vinacuré
A piece of SoHo seems to have broken off and floated all the way to the hills south of Medellín. This outrageously imaginative place looks like a Frida Kahlo painting on acid, with choreography by the Cirque de Soleil. Give yourself over to the experience as you are greeted by honking geese, served by sexually ambiguous waitrons, and wowed by the circuslike live shows. It is a long and expensive cab ride (about around US$8) but worth every penny.
reviewed
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Termales El Otoño
Termales El Otoño is outside Manizales on the way back to town, which helps alleviate the cracking headache and nausea you will experience on the trip down the mountain. It sells beer, liquor and snacks. On weekends the place turns into a party zone, and there are 15 luxury cabins nearby (COP$155,000 to COP$294,000). To get here on your own take the bus marked ‘Termales El Otoño’ from the Manizales terminal (COP$1200, 40 minutes).
reviewed
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La Kasa
This popular split-level disco plays techno, accompanied by half a dozen electronic disco balls. Three bars will keep you well lubricated, and the fish in the two tanks built into the walls guarantee you a captive audience for your latest dance moves. One of the very best places for techno in Medellín; best for a visit on Thursday and Saturday.
reviewed
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Parque Lleras
While there is not much of a café scene in Medellín, you're never far from a cocktail. In the evening, action is most highly concentrated around Parque Lleras in El Poblado. If funds are low, buy a bottle of hooch and hang out in the small park itself - there are no open container laws and you'll find plenty of company.
reviewed
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Babylon
Decked out in Wonder Woman and Superman memorabilia (plus stacks and stacks of old televisions), this dimly lit disco offers the best value drinks in Las Palmas. Seating is at heavy wood picnic tables, and projector screens show cartoons all night long. On Thursday it does an all-you-can-drink-night for COP$30,000 (women free).
reviewed
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b lounge
This small, groovy bar attracts a relatively young crowd. Feather boas hang from the ceiling, and the Wednesday night karaoke is very popular. There’s a wooden terrace outside facing the car dealership across the street. On the edge of the ever-expanding zona rosa (nightlife zone) at the time of our research.
reviewed
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El Blue
Just off Parque Lleras, this place is devoted to rock, often hosting live bands. It has a large outdoor patio and caters to a mostly laid-back crowd. Thursday is big because there’s no cover charge. One of the very few pick-up joints in Colombia, this is the place paísa girls go to meet gringo boys.
reviewed
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El Pequeño Teatro de Medellín
Medellín has a lively theater scene that ranges from the classical to the experimental, with more than 10 theaters and even more groups that work without a permanent home.
El Pequeño Teatro de Medellín has a varied repertoire, combining the traditional with the contemporary.
reviewed
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Papayera
Also known as Eslabon Perdido (the missing link), Eslabon Prendido (the tipsy link) or just ‘Es La Bon,’ this punnily-named bar is famous for its Tuesday night live salsa jams. It’s a few blocks from Parque Periodista, a seedy area where a number of edgy bars cluster.
reviewed
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Mango’s
This upscale disco is tricked out in a western theme – all the waiters are dressed like cowboys. Scantily clad models and dwarfs dance for the crowds. The city’s rich and beautiful come here to show off – it’s among the most expensive nightclubs in Medellín.
reviewed
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Teatro Matacandelas
Medellín has a lively theater scene that ranges from the classical to the experimental, with more than 10 theaters and even more groups that work without a permanent home.
Teatro Matacandelas is one of the best experimental groups in town.
reviewed
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Carnaval
A five-minute taxi ride past Mango’s on the highway is this massive disco. It attracts DJs from around the world. This is your late night option – no one shows up until 3am. The retractable roof opens and closes to let in a breath of fresh night air.
reviewed
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Club Social La Clarita
This late-night disco doesn’t get going until around 2am on the weekend, and then goes till dawn. A fair whack north of the center, this is where locals come to drink and dance to Colombian crossover. Sometimes has live music and dancers.
reviewed
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Maria Juana
A groovy bar with a downstairs lounge space, outdoor patio and live music shows from 11pm. At closing time there are plenty of taxis to take you back to Armenia (COP$12,000 to COP$15,000).
reviewed
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Metrópolis
With perhaps the best music and lighting infrastructure in the city, this place inside the Monterrey shopping mall serves up trance, techno and electronica to an adoring crowd of regulars.
reviewed
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El Patio del Tango
Now the tango’s major stage in Medellín, this steak restaurant is decorated like a typical Buenos Aires tango dive. There are often shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Mirador de la Plaza Taberna
For a quiet beer on the main plaza, the Mirador de la Plaza Taberna also serves espresso and has photos of Armenia before the earthquake.
reviewed
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Teatro Metropolitano
Inaugurated in 1987, Medellín’s largest and most modern theater hosts concerts, opera and ballet and is home to Medellín’s Philharmonic Orchestra.
reviewed
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Casa del Teatro Medellín
Hosts different local theater groups year-round. The theater library has a large collection specializing in Colombian theater.
reviewed
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La Habana
For a drink with a rowdy student crowd, try La Habana, just outside the gates of the Universidad de Quindío.
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Palacio de Bellas Artes
The 300-seat Sala Beethoven in the Palacio de Bellas Artes is a regular stage for concerts and recitals.
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Café Arcángel
A favorite of the alternative crowd, this place serves up beer, espresso, and even pierced poets reading their own works.
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Teatro de la Universidad de Medellín
The Teatro de la Universidad de Medellín present concerts of classical and contemporary music.
reviewed
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Melodie Lounge
This slick cocktail joint attracts high-end hipsters with its glowing walls and chill ambient music.
reviewed
