11 Best Nightlife in The Caribbean Coast, Colombia

Demente

Fodor's choice

At night, all roads in Getsemaní seem to lead to Demente. Helped, in part by its perfect location on the Plaza de la Trinidad at the heart of the neighborhood, but the trendy interior, particularly the open-air garden courtyard, makes for a handsome locale to spend the evening. Great tapas, local craft beers, and a smart cocktail menu draw a reliably good crowd, and the low-key, funky soundtrack makes Demente the best spot in Getsemaní to start off a night out. Thin-crust pizzas, fresh from the oven out back, are among the city's best.

Fodor's Choice
Carrera 10 #29, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
5-660–4226

El Baron

Centro Fodor's choice
A great location on Plaza San Pedro Claver will draw many in, but it is the serious, top-quality cocktail menu that will keep visitors drinking far later into the night than intended. Cartagena-style speakeasy decor, with exposed stone walls and heavy wooden beams as well as a laid-back soundtrack provide a cozy respite, but El Baron is really all about the bar at the far end. Talented mixologists will mix a drink to your taste, and here, finally, you might actually get the best mojito in town. No need to leave for dinner as the food menu is no slouch either, with a simple, modern menu that includes some great gourmet sandwiches. Reservations, through the website, are advisable. There's no lunch on Sunday and Monday.

Alquimico

Centro
A beautifully restored colonial home spread over two stories has been transformed into a cocktail bar and hangout for the trendy speakeasy-style crowd and is becoming a firm fixture on the Cartagena nightlife scene. The focus here is on well-crafted, punchy cocktails made from in-house rum infusions and local fruits, served up from an impressive four-poster bar dominating the low-lit first floor. Music tends to funky, international hip-hop and R&B grooves, and on Friday and Saturday the terrace opens up as a dance floor. It's closed on Tuesday.

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Babar

Centro

In the Ciudad Vieja, close to the Charleston Hotel, is Babar, a two-story colonial building that packs in the beautiful and the wealthy. If all the dancing makes you hungry, step outside and feast in one of the elegant neighboring restaurants.

Dance Club
Calle San Juan de Dios #3–37, Cartagena, Bolívar, 130001, Colombia
5-664–2040
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Nightly

Café Havana

The English sign over the entrance announcing the "world-famous" Café Havana may put you off, but great salsa and Cuban music (not to mention mojitos) await, along with the chance to dance. The club was a pioneer in the reviving Getsemaní neighborhood back in 2006; now it's been joined by many others. Check ahead for shows and hours; there's a cover charge of 20,000 pesos.

Donde Fidel

Centro
A Cartagena icon, this popular salsa bar spread out under the arches next to the Plaza de las Coches is the place to go for people-watching while you enjoy a cold Aguila beer and a little hip-shaking. Simple wooden tables fill the place, and the walls are covered with photos of famous patrons. Go to chat, meet new people among the mix of locals and tourists, and just maybe to get up and dance between the tables like everyone else.
Plaza de los Coches, Cartagena, Bolívar, 130001, Colombia
314-526--1892

El Bar del Sur

A local favorite, thanks to a good beer selection, which includes local craft label BBC (try the Septimazo IPA) as well as the owner's own brews. Also offered are fantastic Venezuelan-style stuffed arepas. Low-lit and eclectically decorated with retro posters covering a floral printed wall, this is a no-frills bar to pass a pleasant evening just steps away from the Plaza de la Trinidad.
Calle del Carretero (Calle 29) #10--27, Cartagena, Bolívar, 130001, Colombia
314-721--7478

La Movida 2-14

Centro
If you're looking for the young and beautiful crowd as the night draws on, the odds are you'll find them all here, mingling around the bar while sipping pricy cocktails, seeing and being seen while gently bobbing to an international mix by the in-house DJ. The place fills up regularly, so come in early, grab a table, and order some tapas to warm up and wait till the party arrives.
Calle 33 #2--14, Cartagena, Bolívar, 130001, Colombia
321-587--5983

Malagana Cafe & Bar

The nightlife in Getsemaní keeps getting better, and Malagana's rooftop terrace is an essential stop, preferably at sunset. Casual and lighthearted, it is charmingly lit with tealights on the tables. This is a simple spot to end the day with a cold drink and good company. If you're hungry, the menu has a broad range of international favorites, from fish tacos to an excellent ceviche and varied wraps that hit the spot as dinner time approaches. It's closed on Sunday.
Carrera 10 #31, Cartagena, Bolívar, 130001, Colombia
5-660--1360

Mister Babilla

Mister Babilla is a busy bar with good food and a live salsa band on weekends.

Av. del Arsenal No. 8B–137, Cartagena, Bolívar, 130001, Colombia
5-664–7005
www.misterbabilla.com
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Thurs.–Sun.

Quiebracanto

Centro

The live salsa hot at this busy spot on the second floor of a building with a balcony overlooking the plaza and convention center. It gets crowded on weekends, but this is a good place to dance on the tile floors—and it's open until 4 am.