Medellin has a diverse, thriving music scene and one of the most popular styles has been salsa ever since it took over the city in the 1970’s. Salsa dancers can be found moving to the rhythm of live bands in every corner of Medellin in distinct venues that suit every skill level.
A few options to choose from:
Son Habana is a hot and spicy venue near the Estadio neighborhood of Medellin that caters to everyone from beginners to veterans. Every Thursday and Saturday night, there is a live, 12-piece (at least) band that starts playing around at 10:30pm. Before then, and on other nights, there is always fantastic Salsa music blasting on the speakers to get anyone off their seat and onto their feet. The dance floor is small and crowded, and that’s just the way the Colombians like it. Get ready to bump elbows and step on toes; this Salsa club is not for the shy. If you prefer to be a spectator, get there early and grab a seat near the dance floor. You’ll find Salsa enthusiasts of all skill levels strutting their stuff all night long. There is a cover charge of about US$4 but drinks aren’t that expensive once you get inside.
Nearby on La 70 is a hotter, steamier, and younger scene at Tibiri Salsa bar. You won’t find live music here but you’ll always find a fun and friendly crowd. Tall folks beware, the ceiling above the dance floor doesn’t quite reach 2 meters so if you’re a professional basketball player or just a big Gringo, make sure to watch your head. The crowd at Tibiri is younger and almost entirely Colombian. You can always find someone to dance with but if you’d prefer to be a wallflower, there’s great views of the dance floor from every seat in the bar. This fun, friendly club is a great, authentic location to see what Colombian Salsa is really about!
For a truly authentic experience, there is no better place than one of the oldest, most popular salsa clubs in Medellin. On Tuesday and Thursday nights a live band plays to a packed house of enthusiastic dancers at El Eslabon Prendido in the city’s downtown. Claustrophobics be warned, the club is narrow but the candle-lit ambiance adds to its cozy charm.
Salsa clubs are open every night of the week, but we recommend going on the nights we mentioned when live bands are playing for the full experience. For more information or specific address and directions, please email us at info@sucasacolombia.com.
Some photos courtesy of David Lee of Medellin Living.
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