Medellín, Colombia has always known how to party, but in recent years, a more mixology-driven bar scene has emerged. Now, two of the city’s top bars have claimed spots on the list of rhe World’s 50 Best Bars, signaling a shift in Medellín that can’t be ignored.
With second annual Medellín Cocktail Week kicking off in June, more than 75 of the world’s most innovative bartenders are set to descend upon the city, helping to cement its status as one of the region’s coolest new destinations for a drink. Think five full days of guest bartending shifts and industry events featuring the best of the best—even Hong Kong’s Bar Leone, named the number one bar in the world by the World’s 50 Best Bars, is set to attend.
Mark your calendars for June 1-5, but there’s no need to wait until Medellín Cocktail Week to enjoy an unforgettable drink in Colombia’s cosmopolitan second city. These are the best bars in Medellín.
Mamba Negra
Mamba Negra is known for having some of the best views in Medellín—and some of the best drinks. Work your way through a menu of award-winning cocktails and bites at the oversized elliptical bar of this World’s 50 Best Bars-listed spot, or book a seat in the Mamba Lab experience, a sensorial journey through Colombia’s immense biodiversity by way of an eight-cocktail “tasting menu.” Even if you don’t have time for the Mamba Lab experience, sneak into its tucked-away, laboratory-like space for an abbreviated menu of classic cocktails remade with all Colombian ingredients, like an espresso martini made with the traditional Colombian distillate chapil.
Bar Carmen
Settling in among the friendly faces at Bar Carmen feels like coming home—if your hometown bar happened to be among the World’s 50 Best Bars, that is. Founded more than 15 years ago by chef Carmen Ángel, Carmen has long been reference point for modern Colombian cuisine in Medellín, now with Bar Carmen channeling that same exuberant creativity and local pride into its cocktails. Maycoll Tobon has created a menu built around locally sourced ingredients, from traditional Afro-Colombian spirits to Andean herbs and Amazonian ants. A new favorite drink is La Siembra; made from viche and lulo, it’s foamy, fruity, tart and sweet all at once.
Quema Que Quema
Set inside one of the few remaining historic buildings in El Poblado, Quema Que Quema feels like the salsa-focused throwback spot that Medellín needed. Bartenders have poured months into carefully crafting a menu of one hundred classic cocktails from around the world with just one new addition: the Arriero, a thoughtful mix of aguardiente, viche, cacao, and coffee positioned to become Colombia’s first national cocktail. It is at its most vibrant on Friday and Saturday nights, when a full salsa orchestra plays upstairs.
Naúfrago
Perched on the top floor of The Click Clack Hotel, Naúfrago really does have everything you could possibly want for a night out in Medellín: the stunning space, the sweeping views, the cool cocktails, and the laidback vibe. Come for drinks at sunset and stick around for dinner; after all, Naúfrago has a great menu and host frequent pop-ups with some of the region’s most celebrated chefs. Recent guests include Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants-listed chefs like Jaime Torregrossa and bartender Manuel Barbosa from Bogotá’s Humo Negro and Nicolás Solanilla from Guatemala City’s Ana.
Mala Audio Bar
Sneak past rich red velvet curtains and into Mala Audio Bar, a relatively recent addition to Medellín’s nightlife scene that has become an instant hit. Dimly lit and divinely appointed (think lava lamps, a gummy bear-shaped disco ball, and rotating art exhibitions) this lounge-style space feels like that perfect mix drinks and dancing that is often far to hard to find. The space centers around a lengthy bar-meets-DJ booth, where visiting DJs spin vinyls all night long as bartenders shake up a menu of classic cocktails.
Konbini
Hidden behind a secret doorway in what appears at first glance to be a Japanese-style convenience store is Konbini, one of Medellín’s coolest if most unexpected places to party. This disco-coded spot would feel like it was straight out of the 70s were it not for its experimental cocktail menu and its impressive array of DJs who take the booth every week. The space is small, so come on the early side to grab some space at the bar before boogying the night away.
Calante
At the heart of the always-alive area of Provenza in El Poblado is Calante, a permanently popular bar that spills out onto the pedestrian-only street late into the night, every day of the week. The party is powered by nightly DJ sets and a thoughtful drink menu with favorites like Mr. Fingers, featuring tequila blanco, plum, red vermouth, and sherry. Grab a table outside, upstairs overlooking the street, or find a space at the bar; you’re be in good company at Calante, which has become a trusted favorite gathering spot for bartenders after a shift.
Baravan
Medellín is a town that tends towards spirits rather than wine, but every city needs a spot like Baravan. An instant favorite, this tiny, tucked away wine bar is the little sister of Sambombi, the bistro-style eatery led by Chef Jhon Zárate that has made the list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants two years in a row. With Zárate behind the menu, the food at Baravan is just as good as its wine selection, so whether you stop in for a glass and a snack at the bar with a friend or settle in for a full meal, you’re in for a treat.
