Alquímico

Alquímico is the highest-ranked bar in Colombia and one of the best in the world. In October 2026 it was named No. 3 in The World's 50 Best Bars, up from No. 11 the year before, and it was also one of four Cartagena places chosen by the 50 Best Discovery guide in 2025. It occupies a historic house on Calle del Colegio in the walled city; Suitcase magazine described the building as a restored former shoe shop with an opulent interior inspired by the 1920s.

The bar is spread over three floors, each with its own personality. The ground floor is called Comunidad, the second, Clásicos Alquimistas, is devoted to classic cocktails, and the third, Farm to Bar, showcases the bar's approach to ingredients; El País notes that each level has its own atmosphere and cocktail menu. Alquímico has its own farm in the Quindío region, which supplies its drinks programme, and El Universal describes cocktails that combine classic technique with innovative methods and local ingredients such as passion fruit, mango and artisanal rum. El País also mentions a terrace with panoramic views over the city.

The menu is divided into seasonal drinks, best sellers, classics, non-alcoholic cocktails and other drinks, and there is a food menu too. The recommended drinks on the bar's website carry the names of other Cartagena venues, from Carmen and Celele to Libertario and Pepina, a nod to the city's food and drink community.

Alquímico opens every day from 19:00. It does not take reservations: entry is walk-in only, and the bar reserves the right of admission, with its policies published on its website. Because there is no booking system, arriving soon after opening is the safest way to get in, particularly at weekends and in the high season from December to April.

It suits cocktail enthusiasts, couples and small groups, and it is a natural first or last stop of an evening in the old town. Calle del Colegio is in the walled city, among the restaurants of the historic centre, and Getsemaní, reached through the Torre del Reloj, is the place to continue with live salsa.