Bogotá may be different from what many first-time visitors expect when they think of Latin America. After all, the capital of Colombia isn’t particularly sunny or warm, which is why many tourists only see it as a stop on their way to beachside cities like Cartagena. But they’re missing out on one of South America’s most fun nightlife scenes. In this post, we’ll go through the best areas to stay in Bogotá for nightlife, including some of the city’s best bars and clubs.
Accommodation Options in Bogotá
Bogotá’s nightlife stands out for its welcoming atmosphere. Even if you’re a solo traveler, you will feel comfortable and likely meet new people in this city’s many bars and clubs. Moreover, regardless of your party or music preferences, you will find a place to go in Bogotá. Areas like the upscale and exclusive Zona Rosa (a.k.a. Zona T) and the LGBT-friendly Chapinero are the epicenters of the city’s nightlife.
Several famous venues in Bogotá are worth checking out. One iconic club is Andres Carne de Res (Andres D.C.), which has four floors representing hell, earth, purgatory, and heaven. In Andrés D.C., you can savor Colombian cuisine while watching local acts on stage. Another noteworthy venue is Theatron, a former theater turned into one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ clubs in the world. Established in 2002, Theatron features thirteen distinct spaces with different music styles, themes, and vibes.
The party in Bogotá usually starts late. So, after dinner, you will most likely see people having drinks or beers at a bar. Then, around midnight, they’ll start moving to the clubs. Getting to the club around 1:30 am would be best to avoid queues. You could also rent a “Chiva,” a Colombian party bus, and they’ll drive you around and drop you at a club.
Regarding safety, you should still be careful when partying in Bogotá. Since the bus rapid transit TransMilenio, the city’s primary transport system, only works until 10:00 PM, get an official taxi to go to the club or bar of your choice. Also, book a hotel near the clubs and bars you want to visit if possible.
But which are the best areas in Bogotá for nightlife? What are the clubs in each neighborhood, and how safe are they? Keep reading to find out!
What Is the Best Area to Stay in Bogotá for Nightlife?
The best area to stay in Bogotá for nightlife is Chapinero because it hosts the city’s most extensive selection of bars and clubs. In this neighborhood, you can find most of the city’s LGBT venues and salsa and Colombian music clubs. You will also find many of the top-rated hotels in Bogotá in Chapinero.
Find available accommodation in Chapinero, Bogotá.
Best Hotels in Chapinero
- Best luxury hotel: Hilton Bogotá
- Best midrange hotel: Mika Suites
- Best budget hotel: ibis budget Bogotá Marly
- Best party hostel: Selina Chapinero Bogotá
- Best tourist apartments: Suites by Vilar América
Read more about the Chapinero neighborhood
Top Areas in Bogotá to Go Clubbing: A Summary
As mentioned, Chapinero is among the best areas to stay in Bogotá for nightlife because it has bars and clubs for all tastes. After all, Chapinero houses Bogotá’s LGBT bars and clubs, including the famous Theatron. This neighborhood also hosts salsa clubs and bars with live Colombian bands playing folklore music. However, other areas in Bogotá may suit your partying style more. Here’s a list of the top neighborhoods in Bogotá for nightlife.
- Zona T, also known as Zona Rosa, is the place to stay if you want to get to know the most exclusive side of Bogotá. This area is north of Chapinero and hosts luxury hotels, boutiques, and some of the city’s iconic restaurants and bars. One of the most famous venues in Zona T is Andrés D.C. or Andrés Carne de Res, where you can try delicious Colombian food while enjoying live acts in a huge venue that takes you on a journey from hell to heaven.
- Usaquén was once an indigenous town and is a picturesque area with colonial architecture that hosts many cocktail bars. This area has a more relaxed atmosphere and is less crowded, so you won’t have to wait in line for too long to get into a bar. Usaquén also stands out for its excellent restaurants.
- La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic center, is home to many colorful colonial-era buildings that house bars, restaurants, and clubs. This area is the best location in Bogotá to experience a more authentic side of its nightlife. However, La Candelaria is not the safest at night, so you must take extra precautions.
Best Areas to Stay in Bogotá for Nightlife: District by District
1. Chapinero
Best area to party in Bogotá
Chapinero has the most extensive selection of bars and clubs in Bogotá. This area has it all, from alternative bars to LGBT venues like the iconic Theatron.
A hotspot for culture vultures and party animals alike, Chapinero oozes urban charm with a dash of laid-back vibes. This neighborhood is around a 20-minute drive from the city center.
Some local landmarks include Parque de los Hippies, a popular square surrounded by bars and restaurants, and the Lourdes Basilica, a beautiful neo-Gothic church with outstanding stained-glass windows. In addition to these sites, Chapinero houses art galleries and shopping centers such as Atlantis Plaza and Centro de Comercial Avenida Chile.
Chapinero has something for everyone when it comes to nightlife. From alternative bars like the Indie Cave to live music venues, Chapinero is a great place to do bar hopping, especially if you’re traveling in a group. Furthermore, Chapinero hosts Bogotá’s LGBT area, with bars and clubs like Theatron, one of the biggest LGBT clubs in the world. Theatron has 13 rooms, each with a vibe, theme, and music style.
In Chapinero, you can find many types of accommodation, from luxury experiences and hotels to budget-friendly options, B&Bs and party hostels, you’ll likely see a place to stay that suits your needs in this area.
This neighborhood is connected to the rest of Bogotá via public transportation, including the TransMilenio rapid bus transit system. Chapinero is one of those places you need to see on a first trip to Bogotá.
Best Hotels in Chapinero
Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota
Located in Chapinero, Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota offers luxury accommodations at the famous gastronomic G Zone (Zona G). This historic building has free WiFi and parking.
JW Marriott Hotel Bogotá
JW Marriott Hotel Bogota offers deluxe rooms with Wi-Fi, four restaurants, a bar, a fitness center, and a Spa.
Mika Suites
Mika Suites is located in Chapinero District in Bogotá, within the financial and gastronomic center of the city. Free WiFi access and an American breakfast are available.
Selina Chapinero Bogota
Selina Chapinero Bogotá offers spacious accommodations with Wi-Fi. Rooms feature sophisticated design.
2. Zona T
The most exclusive area in bogotá
Bogotá’s Zona Rosa gathers the most exclusive shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs in the city. This area is also among the safest in the city.
Zona T, also known as Zona Rosa, is north of Chapinero and is the most exclusive area in Bogotá. You will find luxury designer boutiques from Dolce & Gabanna, Louis Vuitton, and Carolina Herrera in this area. Likewise, a handful of shopping centers are in the area, including Centro Comercial Andino and Centro Comercial El Retiro.
Moreover, some of the best hotels in Bogotá are in this part of the city.
As for the nightlife in Zona T, the area gathers some of the most notorious venues in Bogotá. For example, Andrés D.C. is a restaurant with four floors representing hell, earth, purgatory, and heaven. This restaurant serves traditional Colombian dishes and is a great place to experience the local nightlife. After all, on the weekends, Andrés D.C. welcomes live concerts and events.
Zona T also has several places for pre-gaming. Hence, you can choose between Irish-style pubs, craft beer bars, and cocktail bars, to name a few.
There are few tourist attractions per se in Zona T. However, El Virrey Park is an ideal location for outdoor activities like jogging and cycling.
Zona T or Zona Rosa is among the best locations for nightlife in Bogotá if you want to know the most exclusive side of the city. Yet, the area is connected to the rest of the city via public transportation.
Best Hotels in Zona T
Four Seasons Hotel Bogota
Featuring free WiFi, Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá offers pet-friendly accommodations in Bogotá’s T Zone, only 1640 feet from Andino and El Retiro Shopping Centers.
AC Hotel by Marriott Bogota Zona T
AC Hotel by Marriott Bogota Zona T features free bikes, fitness center, a shared lounge and terrace in Bogotá.
Cabrera 85 Apartments
Cabrera 85 Apartments is a sustainable apartment in Bogotá near 93 Park. Housed in a building dating back to 2023, this apartment has a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, and towels.
3. Usaquén
For a more relaxed nightlife experience
Usaquén is a trendy area with lots of shops, restaurants with live entertainments and bars that are some of the local’s favorites.
Usaquén is one of those neighborhoods where you can witness Bogotá’s transformation and growth. In the past, Usaquén was a separate town, home to an indigenous community of the Muisca. Over time, it would become a part of Bogotá, famous, for the most part, for its flea market. The market opens every weekend and is a great place to find unique arts and crafts.
However, nowadays, the Colonial-style houses of Usaquén coexist with modern buildings and host high-quality restaurants and shops. This neighborhood is also home to Unicentro, one of the biggest shopping centers in Bogotá. So, naturally, the area, located further north of the Zona Rosa, has become one of the trendiest in the city.
And, when it comes to nightlife, Usaquén does not disappoint. This neighborhood is a favorite among locals of all ages looking to escape the most touristy places in Chapinero and Zona T. In Usaquén, you can find restaurants with live entertainment perfect for a date, rock bars, and clubs playing all kinds of genres.
Usaquén is among the best areas to stay in Bogotá for nightlife to see a more relaxed side of the city. This area also hosts all kinds of accommodations and is connected to the rest of Bogotá by public transportation.
Best Hotels in Usaquén
Hotel Estelar La Fontana
Located north of Bogota and only 328 feet from Unicentro, Hotel Estelar La Fontana offers luxurious rooms with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Facilities include a fitness center.
Hotel Bogotá Regency Usaquén
Bogotá Regency is located in Bogotá’s traditional Usaquen district, 0.9 mi from Unicentro Shopping Center. All rooms include flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Free WiFi is available.
Apartamentos Plaza Suites
Surrounded by views of the city, Apartamentos Plaza Suites is a sustainable condo hotel in Bogotá, offering guests an environmentally friendly accommodation close to Unicentro Shopping Mall.
4. La Candelaria
The most authentic area in bogotá
La Candelaria is Bogota’s historic center and it hosts some of the most authentic bars in the city.
La Candelaria is Bogotá’s historical center, a charming area full of colonial architecture, cobblestoned streets, and street art. Thus, this district offers a more authentic experience than the rest of the city.
This bohemian neighborhood hosts live entertainment venues, with regular jazz, salsa, and Colombian folklore music concerts. Furthermore, some bars and clubs in La Candelaria have been open long enough to become cultural staples and institutions in Bogotá’s nightlife.
Staying in La Candelaria, you’ll remain close to some must-see attractions in Bogotá. For example, the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum, which exhibits works by the famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero, are both in this area. The Bolívar Square and the city’s cathedral are also nearby.
Another adventage of staying in La Candelaria is its wide range of accommodations, from party hostels to luxury hotels.
Being the center of the city, La Candelaria has some of the best public transport connections in Bogotá. However, this neighborhood is not the safest in the city, so you must be careful and avoid walking around at night if you’re alone.
Best Hotels in La Candelaria
Hotel Dios
Attractively set in the Centro Historico La Candelaria district of Bogotá, Hotel Dios is a 2-minute walk from Luis Angel Arango Library, 500 yards from Quevedo’s Jet, and a 6-minute walk from Bolivar Square.
Granada Hostel
Granada Hostel features a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace, and a bar in Bogotá. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property.
