Post: #1

If you're anything like I was before I first arrived in Bogota, you're idea of its night life options are basically two things: salsa and reggaeton clubs. While those two types of places certainly are very popular here in the Colombian capital, I was pleasantly surprised to Bogota has many other options as well.

I've been here for about 5 weeks all together, I don't party too much here as I'm trying to focus more on my Spanish studies but I want to share with you guys some of my experiences here so far. This weekend I went out on Friday and Saturday, both times with groups of friends to cool, small bars in my neighbourhood called Chapinero, here's how it went:

Friday night: It was March 2nd, Jon Bon Jovi's birthday, I'm not a huge fan but these two girls I hang out with wanted to go a tribute show at a bar just down the street from my place. I had a few friends over to pre-drink at my place, our group of 7 people rolled into the bar at around 10pm. I forget the name of the place but its on calle 47, one block west of Caracas (the more sketchy side) where the Transmilenio runs, there's a few small pub style bars there. The place was packed and the band was pretty good, its so funny hearing Spanish speakers singing English songs with their accent "shot through the heart and Jour to blame, Jew give love bad name". The ratio was decent and there were some fine looking Rolas there, the crowd was mature, mostly 25-35, we drank lots of cheap beers (2000K/bottle) and all sang along to the Bon Jovi tunes, good times!

This is one of the biggest reasons why I like Bogota so much, metal and rock are HUGE here and I mean big. I can't count how many times I've seen cute Rolas walking down the street wearing a Black Flag or Megadeath shirt, also, unlike back home, the rock and metal bars here attract a good crowd of fine looking women, unlike the sausage fests you'll see in Canada (with the exception of Foufounes Electriques in Montreal, of course).

saturday: I was a bit hungover from Friday night and was planning on just taking it easy, I invited my girl over and we were chilling watching TV, but then she wanted to go for a walk around Chapinero. When we left my building, my buddy the barber across the street was just closing up, his missus was there too and they invited us out for a drink up on Septima (there's one area of carerra 7 and Calle 51 in Chapinero that has a tonne of bars).

We end up at this place called Congo, a reggae/dance hall joint, it was early when we got there, around 9:30 and a bit empty but they had 2 for 1 drinks on so we decided to chill there for a bit. The place ended up getting packed full of a fairly young college crowd, 18-24 and of course, I got pretty hammered even though I wasn't planning on it. We all danced and had a good time, it was so funny jamming to songs by Jamaican artisits like Barrington Levy and Vybez kartel with a bunch of Colombians, it almost felt like I was back in the Yard!

So that was my weekend, nothing too crazy, I just wanted to highlight the fact that although music like salsa and reggaeton are big in Colombia, if you guys come to Bogota, you definitely have a wide range of options.

That's one of the reasons I like it here so much, because I can "get in where you fit in". If I go the high end bars in Zona Rosa, I don't fit in so well with the wealthy elite members of Colombian society, many who have studied at big schools in the states, a blue collar Canadian doesn't impress them too much. Also, since my salsa skills are pretty weak (I'm practicing but it takes a lot of work, trust me), I don't fit in so well at a salsa club dancing with Colombians who've been doing it their entire lives.

But I know where I do fit in, at places like the ones I went to this weekend, where they play English rock and metal songs that everyone sings a long too. These places attract a more middle class, student crowd, I find the girls way more approachable because they aren't the 9s and 10s you'll find up in Zona Rosa, but believe me, I'm VERY impressed with the talent I find at these places.

I'll be in Bogota until the end of April so if any of you guys are around, PM me if you want to link up, we'll go grab some pints at once of the local Chapinero joints up on Septima and 51.

Post: #2

Nice write-up. Still haven't been to Chapinero but I've been raring to go.

And yea Zona T is tough. The Colombian men there have money, dress well, and look good. On the other hand, the girls' level of English is higher than other places. The lord giveth and the lord taketh.

In you find yourself there again, you may consider checking out a place called Cutre at kra 14 and cal 83. From 10-12 the music is awesome...a mix of stuff from the coast (not vallenato) and underground. General vibe is bohemian/hipster so if you're looking for high heels and lipstick, this isn't your place.

Also, have you checked out Candelario? On Saturday, there are usually a handful of girls there that are gringo friendly. They won't suck your dick on the dancefloor, but with many you should get a warm reception if you dance. Cover is 12K. Beers are 2,5K. Music is mostly reggaeton.

You're definitely wise to learn the salsa. It takes some time.