Bar Guide · Medellín
Medellín
Bar Guide
44 bars across 5 neighbourhoods, organised by occasion. From the terrace bars of El Poblado to craft cocktail rooms in Laureles that the locals keep to themselves.
44 bars across 5 neighbourhoods, organised by occasion. From the terrace bars of El Poblado to craft cocktail rooms in Laureles that the locals keep to themselves.
Medellín's bar scene has transformed faster than any city in South America over the past decade. The Parque El Poblado cluster is the obvious starting point, but the real interest has shifted west toward Laureles and north into Envigado. These 9 bars represent the city at its current best.
The expat-heavy southern barrio that most visitors use as base camp. The density of bars per square block rivals anything in South America, and the quality has improved markedly since 2018. Parque El Poblado is the epicentre, but the side streets between the park and Avenida El Poblado contain 14 of our 20 recommended Poblado bars. Best for rooftop bars and cocktail lounges. The price point reflects the international crowd.
Medellín's most underrated drinking neighbourhood. Laureles has a strong local identity, lower prices than Poblado, and a growing number of cocktail bars that are doing serious things with Colombian spirits. Circular Park anchors the social scene, and the streets radiating outward contain 8 of our listed bars. A 10-minute taxi from Poblado and worth every minute.
Just south of Poblado, connected by metro, Envigado has evolved from a residential suburb into a bar destination in its own right. The focus here is craft spirits and small-producer rum, and the bars that have opened since 2020 are among the most technically accomplished in the metropolitan area. Prices are notably lower than El Poblado, and the clientele is predominantly Colombian.
Medellín's historic downtown rewards the visitor willing to engage with the city on its own terms. The Centro's bar culture is older, rawer, and priced for the local economy. The salsa clubs around Parque Berrio are the real draw, alongside the aguardiente-fuelled tejo bars that have been here since before the city's transformation. Go with a local or at minimum go in a group.
North of the city centre, accessible via the Metro to Aranjuez station, this working-class barrio has become the unlikely home of Medellín's craft beer scene. The 3 Cordilleras brewery anchors the area, and 4 taprooms have opened within walking distance. The neighbourhood is genuine rather than gentrified, and the prices reflect that completely.
The barrio around Estadio Atanasio Girardot is Medellín's sports bar heartland. When Atletico Nacional or Independiente Medellin play at home, the streets outside the ground become a single enormous bar. The area is best on a match day, but the sports bars here trade consistently through the week, serving Aguila and watching Colombian football at prices that undercut El Poblado by a factor of three.
One email every week. The bars our editors are recommending right now, across 60 cities worldwide including Medellín, Buenos Aires and São Paulo.
Sponsored listings, newsletter placements, and city guide partnerships across 60 cities including Medellín. Get your bar in front of the right audience.
