I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Bogota nightlife is the best in Latin America.
It’s the bomb diggity. The bee’s knees.
Nowhere I’ve been comes close. There’s nothing like Zona T anywhere in the entire region. Sure, Medellin has Parque Lleras – but that’s a gringo trap and prepago-infested. Not a huge fan. Zona Colonial has some action around Santo Domingo, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the infamous Zona T nightlife.
Panama City has a few fun high-end spots, but they’re all too spread out. Lima nightlife can be a damn good time, but I’d still take Bogota over the Peruvian capital any day.
And while I haven’t been to Brazil, I doubt even Rio’s famously rowdy rumba could compete with the hedonistic scene in Bogota. My Brazilian friend reckons Bogota is numero uno.
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But enough of me fluff.
Let’s dig in. Everything you need to know about partying in Bogota, Colombia can be found below. And so much more, jefe. Te lo juro.
If any of these sections are of interest to ya, then simply click the link to skip ahead. For the whole enchilada, err, bandeja paisa , just keep reading.
Puesssssssss… ¡Vámonos!
How To Survive and Thrive Partying in Bogota Why is the nightlife in Bogota so awesome? Why should a gringo with a penchant for partying head here for a little rumba?
It’s quite simple, really…
The best nightlife in Latin America is right here in Bogota.
Whether you’re an all-night raver, salsa aficionado, or a cocktail-swilling, speak-easy kind of guy — the nightlife in Bogota is unabashedly badass.
Ya tu sabes.
Let’s take a look at a few things to know about going out in Bogota before we get into my top recommendations:
The weekends on or after the 15th and the 31st are always insane. You’ll find 3 times as many people out on these nights compared to others. When Bogotanos have money, they love to spend it on la rumba . I always schedule my partying around paydays in Bogota, and you should too.
The Nightlife in Zona T Is Insane
You’d literally need six months to a year to check out every single spot. And you could only do that if you were a legit alcoholic hitting the scene every night of the week. Each time I go out I hear about a new place or something new. It’s almost impossible to run out of different bars and clubs in this crazy zone.
Everything Closes at 3 AM
Almost every bar in Zona T closes before 3 AM. That’s the only thing about nightlife in Bogota I have qualms with. However, there are a few late-night spots that are wild.
You’ll see these further down in my recommendations.
Nearly every club in Zona T has a cover, as do most venues elsewhere. This omnipresent fee is my least favorite part of the nightlife in Bogota. We’ve searched long and hard for some free spots, but they’re usually pretty dingy and filled with unsavory characters.
You’ll always have to pay cover to get into the best clubs here.
Held every Tuesday at Vintrash , this famously trashy event is a must if you want to party with the international crowd or practicar su español. The night begins in a civilized manner as a language exchange, in which foreigners and local Colombians come to practice English and Spanish.
As the young and party-hearty crowd begin to consume more and more booze, it all descends into mayhem. There are plenty of gringo hunters out there, so tag along if you’re looking to meet a special Colombiana.
The event used to be held at La Villa, which has since closed.
P.S: You’ll find more information about this event below, as it’s a staple of the Bogota nightlife circuit…
While most places in Colombia are packed full of locals chatting among themselves in big groups, Bogota is a bit different. Many people go out with a friend or two looking to mingle.
Because Zona T is considered reasonably safe, party goers feel they can go out in smaller groups without worry.
Is Spanish Needed For Bogota Nightlife?
You’ll definitely meet people who speak English in Bogota. However, a little Spanish is pretty important to make the most of a stonking night out.
You’ll have a much better time savoring all the fruits Bogota nightlife has to offer with a bit of basic Spanish.
Looking to learn Spanish? This is a great place to start!
Bogota is one of the biggest cities in Latin America–a metropolis of some 7 million people and counting. And this heaving mass of humanity is reflected in the diversity of its music. Every genre imaginable is available somewhere in the city on a Saturday night.
Reggaeton. Pop. Salsa. Electronic. Champeta. Hip-hop. Bachata. Vallenato. Rock. You name it. You can find any and every type of music in Zona T.
Having said that, most places play “crossover” music, which is basically a mix of reggaeton, salsa, pop, and electronic.
Chill bar spot in Zona T. Where To Stay In Bogota, Colombia? The top spot to lay your weary head after a heavy night on the suds is undoubtedly in the Zona T.
That way, you won’t have to worry about a long and potentially dangerous trip home when you’re not feeling your spritely best. Aim to stay outside the five-block radius around Zona T and Parque 93 if la rumba is on your mind.
I’m talking right about here — from Unilago to Parque 93, stay somewhere in the middle…
Although there’s plenty of sweet options out and around this area. Dozens of hotels, hostels, and apartments. However, I certainly have my personal favorite. I reckon the top spot for a party animal to sleep…
The Best Hotel For Nightlife in Zona T is: Hotel Saint Simon
Despite being located in the middle of the action, Saint Simon has enough soundproofing to guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep. The staff are pretty chill, too, and give you more than enough privacy, if ya know what I mean.
You’ll be able to walk to dozens of bars, clubs, and high-end restaurants from this hotel. The modern decor is solid too, and the price is way cheaper than you might expect.
Highly recommended.
Bogota Nightlife Costs While Bogota nightlife is amazing, it’s not “that” cheap. At least compared by South American backpacker standards.
Here’s a quick breakdown of prices:
Cover charge: $4-16 USD Beer: $2-7 USD Drink: $4-10 USD Bottle of wine: $18-60 USD Bottle of booze at a club: $40-250 USD
You could easily go out on “Gringo Tuesday” and spend like $25 bucks. Or, you could blow millions of pesos on a big Saturday night out in Zona T. It’s up to you, really,
But remember, buying bottles and tables in the pricier establishments can add up quickly. And that’s especially true when hitting the sauce hard and heavy in Zona T, the most expensive nightlife district in the whole country.
However, I’ve always found the juice worth the squeeze when it comes to nightlife in Bogota!
Zona T views. Where To Party In Bogota? Bogota is a big-arse city, so it pays to know where to go for a raunchy night out on the tiles.
For me, Zona T wins hands down. Aka the Zona Rosa, or the party capital of the universe, the area surrounding this neon-lit tee junction heaves with party-hungry revelers every night of the week. There are literally hundreds of venues here, so you ain’t gonna run out of places to choose from.
If the glitz and glam of Zona T don’t align with your budget or style, then you might consider checking out the other districts instead. Chapinero and Galerias have a fair few decent watering holes around, most of which cater to the hipster or alternative crowd.
Other more low-key venues lie all around town, but avoid any establishments in Bogota’s poverty-stricken barrios least you fancy getting shivved and/or robbed.
Best Bars and Clubs in Bogota, Colombia | 2022 Edition So after going out way too much while actually in Bogota and getting my fair share of hangovers, I have a decent grasp of what the nightlife is all about in the city.
Especially in Zona T.
While I may not be the city’s premier party expert, I know enough to give first-timers a solid guide to la rumba here. So here’s a few spots every gringo should consider on a wild night out in Bogota, Colombia:
Hotel V :
Vintrash: Te lo juro. Presea Rooftop: Armando Records: Black Sheep: Marquez: pesos and get ready to boogie to non-stop Crossover-style beats.Colombian Pub :El Campanario: Dembow Dancehall: Baum: peso . The joint is open until 8 am (!) on weekends, so come here if you’re still rearing to rumba after everywhere else has closed.Video Club: Asilo Bar: Rockeros , this bad boy is just for you. Asilo is Bogota’s best rock venue and has become a hit among locals for the live bands that bring down the roof on weekends. It’s also in Chapinero.Theatron : Andres Carne de Res: loco haunt. Although there’s a venue in the centre, you should hop on the party bus to make the 50-minute journey to its original location in the nearby town of Chia. Trust me, it’ll be worth the effort one-time. The food is amazing and things get pretty hopping on a Saturday night here. Just make sure to bring a group.
Best Nights to Rumba in Bogota | 2022 Edition Like almost everywhere in the world, the closer to the weekend the better the rumba will be.
Gringo Tuesday is definitely an exception if you want to hang out with a lively international crowd. And remember, the weekends on or after a payday, the 15th and 30th/31st of each month, tend to go off.
For specific nightly recommendations, I like…
Go to Vintrash on Tuesday night for Gringo Tuesday. This is the absolute best mid-week option in Bogota and you’re sure to have some fun. Sure, it can be a little too “gringo” at times. But it’s still a solid option for partying during the week and fairly cheap.
The nightlife in Zona T can be hit or miss on a Wednesday. Sometimes things will get pretty wild. Other times you won’t find many people out. Usually the best option is to hit up Armando Records a little bit before midnight. The place tends to get a solid crowd on Wednesdays, just a little later.
Pretty much anything works on a Friday night in Bogota. In the massive capital of Colombia, you’ll find great nightlife all over the city.
I’d recommend sticking to Zona T if you’re new to the city. Hotel V, Pressea Rooftop, Marquez, Black Sheep , and more should all be popping.
Things could have changed, but I always preferred big Saturday nights out at Hotel V in Bogota. Get a group together, grab a bottle of something nice, and be prepared to party.
If you’re rolling solo, you may want to try Vintrash on Saturdays too.
Overall though, pretty much anything works on a Saturday in Bogota.
Me partying in Hotel V. Bogota Nightlife | A Gringo’s Guide As Bogota has so many watering holes to choose from, it’s impossible to cover them all in one little article. There are dozens of places in the Zona T alone I still haven’t had the chance to check out. Nonetheless, my Bogota nightlife guide has got the goods to guarantee you a fun night out.
What’s the best way to do it? Use my guide as an intro to Bogota nightlife. Ask the people you meet around town to see what’s popping.
There’s always going to be fresh new venues to explore in a city of such enormous size.
But there’s one thing that’ll never change in Bogota…The nightlife is damn good.
If you love a little rumba , then Colombia’s hedonistic ciudad capital is a bucket-list destination for you.
Oh, and if you have any questions or comments about nightlife in Bogota , make sure to sound off in the comments.
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