This guide, including a map at the end, is a constant work-in-progress and you can think of it as your ultimate companion to discovering, what we consider, the best Medellín, Colombia night clubs.
Based on our personal adventures and the invaluable insights from our local guides, we’ve curated a list of must-visit spots that promise a night filled with great music, delicious drinks, and unforgettable memories.
Table of Contents
1. Crossover (The authentic Colombian clubing experience)
2. Salsa
3. Reggaeton and Dancehall
4. Rooftops
5. Techno
7. Mixed Environments
8. Pubs
9. LGTBIQ+
Clubs in Medellin: Crossover (Colombian Music)
If this is your first time in Colombia, these clubs might feel a bit outside of your comfort zone. These clubs feature a mix of genres Colombians love, from Vallenato and Cumbia to Bachata and Merengue. The dancefloor tends to be small with lots of tables where friends already have their dancing parteners. Still it’s a great way to experience the infectious energy of Colombian music and dance the night away with the locals.
- La Oculta, A party for young adults in a nightclub hidden behind an incredible restaurant in the heart of Provenza in El Poblado
- La Tienda has two locations: one in La 70 and the biggest in Sabaneta near Metro station La Estrella. It’s a local’s favorite when they want to get drunk listening to every type of music from Vallenatos to Rancheras and more.
- La Chula is a huge restaurant and club in Las Palmas, where you can enjoy a live Mariachi show in the middle of the night, have drinks, and dance to every type of music. It also has a separate club in the same establishment called La Chula Urbana for when you want to dance to reggaeton and dancehall.
- Dulce Jesus Mio Visited mostly by older adults, is a club where you will dance to the rhythm of cumbia, salsa, vallenato, and bachata all night long while enjoying a bottle with your friends.
Clubs in Medellin: Salsa
Although Salsa is not from Colombia, we have adopted it and embraced it as ours. Salsa clubs in Medellin are less tacky and flashy than the ones in the previous category. They tend to be more laidback and some times more bar-type than club-type. Seasoned dancers or beginners looking to learn, these are our recommendations.
- El Social, is not a precisely a club. It’s a great place to start the night. Their concept is prety cool as they took an old-school Tienda de Barrio (neighborhood convenience store) and turned it into one of the best places to sit with your friends to talk, dance salsa, eat some appetizers including tiny empanadas, chicharron (deep fried pork-belly), tiny arepas while having a drink or two.
- Son Havana is one of our most recommended and often has live salsa bands and free salsa classes as well on Wednesdays.
- Erre, Located near the Parque del Poblado, is a small bar with a salsa music tradition where you can enjoy a good beer and watch experienced salsa dancers dance or learn with a local.
- Tibiri bar. This is my absolute favorite for Salsa. This cosy underground (literally!) salsa club in Laureles has been around for more than 30 years and is among the favorite spots for experienced dancers.
Clubs in Medellin: Reggaeton and Dancehall
For those who love trending music. These clubs only play urban beats, offering a high-energy environment where you can dance non-stop to the floor.
- Perro Negro, You may have heard of this one from some famous songs, but among the locals, it is said that it is not the best. It is a bit small, the heat is sometimes unbearable and the line is quite long. However, it is an unforgettable experience if you have never lived a Reggaeton party in Medellin.
- Gato, A somewhat underground place where dancing is the main character. If you would like to learn how to move your hips like we Latinos do, this is the place. You might be surprised by the way they dance, but the experience is exquisite.
- DirtyRabbit, A Latin nightclub in Miami that stuck to the party in Medellin, is a little more exclusive, and for those over 21, you may find a little more foreign vibes than Latin but the party is just as good.
- La Logia, Only reggaeton all night long, in a giant club with an unforgettable vibe, so much so that you even forget your name.
Bars and Clubs in Medellin: Rooftops
Experience Medellin from our favorite rooftop bars. Offering stunning panoramic views of the city, these spots are perfect for sipping cocktails, socializing with friends, and enjoying an amazing dinner with a breathtaking view.
- Mosquito, You can come before sunset, have some drinks, grab some food, enjoy the live DJ, the weather, and dance un poquito.
- Palma Piton, A very Instagrammable place, where heaven meets good food, delicious cocktails, and good company.
- Mamba Negra, Restaurant + Rooftop in El Tesoro Mall, enjoy Spanish, Asian, and Latin American-inspired cuisine while enjoying an incredible view of the city.
- NDN Rooftop, Enjoy a different experience, good food, excellent traditional and signature cocktails, and a view that leaves you breathless.
For more information Rooftops in Medellín, please read this blog.
Clubs in Medellin: Techno
If you’re a fan of electronic music, Medellin’s techno clubs will not disappoint as we are considered the capital of Techno in South America.
- Salon AmadorAmong the techno clubs in Medellin, this one is known for its amazing sound system and for regularly hosting international DJs
- Deep super close to most hostels and hotels, this is one of those techno clubs in Medellin that offers a raw and authentic techno experience.
- Mad Radio offers unique experiences where vintage meets urban and eclectic vibes.
For more information focusing on Techno bars in Medellín, please read this blog
Clubs in Medellin: Mixed Environments
If you want to experience everything in one night we definitely recommend our mixed environment clubs they offer a diverse range of music genres and atmospheres all under one roof.
- La House is a club with four rooms, the basement is only reggaeton as well as the second floor, the first floor is crossover music, and the third floor is only Latin music!
- Teatro Victoria, the party theater. Four atmospheres. Urban, Crossover, Spanish Ballads, and an incredible rooftop. You can buy a ticket for all four atmospheres or choose which atmosphere you want to visit.
- BoraBora has a diversity of music and thematic atmospheres, a restaurant, a deck, and a club with crossover music.
- La Octava. Two atmospheres as different as light and darkness. The front part of the club is only rock and in the back, you will find a ball pit where you can enjoy reggaeton while having a good shot.
Bars and Clubs in Medellin: Pubs
For a more laid-back evening, not so Latin environment or if you are feeling homesick we also have good Pubs with more foreign vibes.
- Barrio Sur Cafe Bar A bar where you will find activities every night of the week, from live music to trivia nights. A perfect place to de-stress with friends and have some good drinks.
- Berlin It is one of the oldest bars in El Poblado, quite spacious and with two pool tables where the atmosphere and music will make your evening calm and pleasant.
Clubs in Medellin: LGTBIQ
Medellin’s LGTBIQ scene is welcoming, with a variety of bars and clubs for all tastes.
- Donde Aquellos is a bar where you can sit down and chat with your friends, have a few drinks, and sing along.
- Chiquita is perfect for when you want to witness a good Drag show, a very open-minded bar, with good music ranging from English pop to Spanish ballads.
- Oraculo Three floors of partying, go-go dancers, and a show in the middle of the night. Great atmosphere and great music.
- Purple is a Mixed-environment nightclub with a red maze, a terrace, an unforgettable party atmosphere, go-go dancers, and a midnight show.
- Happy House Popularly called the House of Lesbians, it is a club where the party is mostly techno and reggaeton on the second floor, but if you want a more relaxed atmosphere you can sit on the first floor where the music is crossover. By the way, it is not only a lesbian bar, all are invited!
For more information focusing on the LGTBIQ bars in Medellín, please read this blog
Bars and Clubs in Medellin: Map
We really hope you find this blog useful! Also please drop us a line if you want us to include something else.
