Bar Carmen

Bar Carmen is the cocktail bar inside Carmen, the El Poblado restaurant opened in 2009 by Carmen Ángel and Rob Pevitts that helped launch Medellín's modern dining scene, and in 2026 it was ranked 39th in The World's 50 Best Bars. That puts two Medellín bars on the 2026 list, alongside Mamba Negra in 22nd place. The guide describes the bar as refined and intimate, with several distinct spaces including a leafy courtyard and a conservatory.

The drinks programme is led by bar director Maycoll Tobón, who builds an inventive list around Colombian fruits, herbs, ferments and ancestral spirits, using a range of culinary techniques and a low-waste approach. The menu itself is beautifully illustrated, and the guide singles out the creativity of the list. Signatures include BCE, made with tequila infused with panela and chipotle, and La Chicha, a vodka-based drink with pineapple pickled in plantain vinegar and mirin; Tobón has named La Chicha as the drink to try, while his own favourite is the classic Hanky Panky.

Food is as much a focus as the cocktails. The kitchen is run by Carmen's executive chef, Juan José Cárdenas, whose cooking draws on Colombia's culinary traditions and biodiversity, so you can eat well at the bar without committing to the restaurant's tasting menu. This makes Bar Carmen a good option for a full evening of food and cocktails, or for a drink before dinner at Carmen or at XO next door, both run by the same group.

The bar opens from Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays. Reservations can be made through Carmen's booking system, by phone on +57 316 625 4896 or by email at [email protected]. The 50 Best guide puts the average cocktail at a moderate price for a bar of its standing.

Bar Carmen suits couples, cocktail lovers and food-focused travellers. It is at Carrera 36 No. 10A-27 in El Poblado, within a short walk of Mala Audio Bar on Calle 10B and Sambombi on Carrera 35, so it fits naturally into an evening exploring the area's bars. Pair it with Mamba Negra on another night to compare Medellín's two ranked cocktail bars.