Rumba, marcha, fiesta, jangueo, reventón, party. No matter what you call it in your country, but if you’re looking for a place in Medellín to have drinks, meet new people, dance, and sing until your throat hurts, that place is Parque Lleras.
“El Lleras,” as it’s known among locals, is an area located in the El Poblado neighborhood, where you’ll find the highest concentration of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in Medellín.
A couple of decades ago, it became the city’s premier nightlife district, but over time it has also transformed into a meeting and entertainment spot for tourists from all over the world who want to experience the city’s party scene firsthand.
The park itself is a small plaza, surrounded by trees, benches, and informal commerce from local artisans. But don’t be mistaken, the plaza isn’t particularly attractive and is more of a reference point for all the entertainment options around it.
For over 10 years, I’ve frequented Lleras quite regularly, and in this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to make your night at the park as fun as possible.
Location
Locating the Parque Lleras area is easy, as it is located 3 blocks up from Avenida El Poblado and Parque El Poblado, and just one block away from the famous “Calle 10.” However, remember that when we talk about Lleras, we’re referring to an entire area, not just a park.
If you walk uphill from the main plaza, you can consider that the boundaries of Lleras extend up to 3 blocks above. Or, to identify it more easily, up to the more “wooded” area, where you start to see more refined shops and bars. There, you can consider that Lleras ends and what is known as Provenza begins.
From south to north, the boundaries of Lleras extend up to Parque de La Presidenta, a linear park where the commercial life of the area “ends.”
Between Provenza and El Lleras, you’ll find dozens of nightclubs and bars. Lots of options, lots of movement, lots of life, and, of course, lots of noise.
Considering all the factors above, we’ve created a list of our favorite hotels in Lleras, so you can stay close to the heart of the city. But if you prefer to be near Lleras but sleep in a quieter place, you can check out our list of the best hotels in El Poblado.
How to Get There?
If you’re staying near Avenida El Poblado or Calle 10, the best way to get there is by walking. But if you’re in another part of the city, you have two options: by Metro or by taxi (or ride-hailing apps like Uber, Didi, and Cabify).
To get there by Metro, just take Line A and get off at the Poblado station. From there, you can take a 20-minute walk uphill to the park via Calle 10, or take one of the green bus lines available at the Metro station exit. Make sure to ask the bus driver if it passes by “Calle 10.”
Outside the Poblado Metro station, there’s also a taxi stand that can take you to the park in just 5 minutes.
What to Do?
Parque Lleras is the best place for something very specific: partying or having drinks. While there’s a wide variety of cafes and restaurants, I suggest walking a few blocks further up and exploring the Provenza area, which is lively but has more places suitable for conversation without as much background noise.
Now, if you’re looking to party, you’re in the right place. But not all parties are the same, right? So here, I’ll guide you through the different spots you can find in Lleras.
Party at Fondas
Fondas are crossover nightclubs (they play all kinds of music) with a very particular decoration style that recalls traditional Antioquian towns. If you’re a foreigner or from a part of Colombia where these types of places aren’t common, it’s worth visiting a fonda at least once.
It’s most common to go to a fonda in a group, drink aguardiente, and snack on some food to go with the drinks (empanadas, small arepas, meat platters, etc.). And while you eat and drink, you’ll listen to and dance to music typical of Colombian parties (vallenato, merengue, salsa, and, of course, reggaeton).
Party at Rooftops
Due to its location in a high area of Medellín, Lleras has seen a rise in rooftop venues, where you can not only party but also enjoy incredible views of the city. These places tend to be a bit more expensive, but they offer a party style that enjoys a very good reputation. If you like urban rhythms (like reggaeton, R&B, hip-hop) or electronic music, these are great alternatives.
Go to Sports Bars
Medellín is a very soccer-loving city. And generally, Lleras is one of the places where fans gather to watch their two teams (Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín) play. If you want to experience the city’s sports atmosphere and have already visited the stadium, I recommend sitting at one of the sports bars in the area, having a few beers, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Drink at Licoreras
Licoreras are places where you can buy liquor at very good prices to consume on-site. Normally, in Lleras, you’ll find some where they sell you the bottle and give you a comfortable space with good music. This type of place is recommended if you don’t want to dance but rather chat and spend time with friends and family.
Best Nightclubs, Bars, and Restaurants
It’s impossible to know all the options in El Lleras. There are dozens of places where you could spend the night, and every month new venues open. But below, I’ll share a list of some iconic places where you can go to dance, drink, and eat, with guaranteed quality.
La Octava
An Instagrammable spot, with good music, incredible shots, reasonable prices, and excellent service. In my opinion, this might be one of the best places to party for several reasons.
The first is that you don’t have to pay to enter, so if you don’t like it, there’s no risk. The second is that it has a ball pit that’s a lot of fun for taking photos like nowhere else in the city, and the third is that in the same place, you have two atmospheres: one with rock music (more like a bar) and another with crossover music (like a nightclub).
If you want a drink recommendation, try the “Russian Cocaine,” a shot of vodka, lemon, sugar, and coffee. Very good.
Envy Rooftop
If you have a good budget and want to visit one of the highest-rated spots by Lleras tourists, I recommend this rooftop, which has one of the most incredible views of the city. Envy is located on the rooftop of the “The Charlee” hotel, and you can go for a party at night or for brunch at
