In this guide · 5 sections
Medellín’s gay bars are mostly in El Poblado. The scene has grown a lot in the last ten years, as more expats and tourists have moved to or visited the neighborhood. You'll find everything from small local spots to mid-sized clubs with regular DJs. Prices are really low compared to Europe or North America.
El Poblado
Provenza, and the streets around Parque El Poblado, have the most gay-friendly bars. Most of these aren't exclusively gay — the neighborhood's culture means a lot of bars are just generally welcoming and get a mixed crowd. But there are explicitly gay places, and we'll get to those.
Provenza has a good number of bars and restaurants close to each other, so it’s easy to walk between places all evening. The neighborhood is mostly low-rise, walkable, and well-lit on the main streets, which makes it comfortable to get around.
Laureles
Laureles, on the west side of the city, has a growing bar and restaurant scene, including some gay-friendly spots. It's more residential and local than El Poblado, drawing Colombians rather than a lot of expats. Good to know if you want to see beyond the main tourist area.
Timing
Medellín nightlife starts late, like elsewhere in Colombia. Bars get going around 9 or 10pm; clubs don't fill up until midnight or later. The warm evenings (it's warmer than Bogotá) mean outdoor terraces are great here — several El Poblado places have outdoor areas that are nice late into the night.
The bars
Practical notes
Prices are very low. The altitude here (1,500m) isn’t as high as Bogotá or Mexico City, but alcohol still hits a bit harder than at sea level. Take it easy if you’ve just arrived. Use Uber to get home.
For the full picture, see the Gay Medellín Guide.