The Discreet Gentleman
Black Bear
Lounge

Black Bear

Zona T / Parque 93, Bogotá

Black Bear is a craft cocktail bar at Carrera 12 #93-31, with a glass-encased leafy interior that has been a fixture of the northern Bogotá scene since 2014. The space holds about 70 across a central bar, a few low tables, and a back patio enclosed in plants. The cocktail program leans toward classic technique with seasonal variations, with the bartenders trained at international cocktail competitions. The food menu is light: cured meats, cheese plates, and a few hot bites designed as pairings rather than mains. The crowd skews professional, mostly thirties and forties, with a steady regulars contingent who treat Black Bear as their default. Music sits at conversation volume; the focus is on drinks and talk rather than scene. Reservations help on Friday and Saturday but the bar usually accommodates walk-ins until 10 PM.

Where to stay near Black Bear

Hotels and rentals within walking distance.

What to Expect

A polished cocktail bar with serious bartenders and a focused crowd. Conversation dominates; drinks take time to build properly. The space is intimate without being claustrophobic.

Atmosphere

Calm, polished, and conversational. The Parque 93 cocktail bar of choice for repeat visitors.

Music

Low-volume jazz, Brazilian, and lounge electronic playlists. No DJ; no live music.

Dress Code

Smart casual. Closed shoes, collared shirts or polished casual. The Parque 93 standard applies.

Best For

Date nights, professional drinkers, cocktail enthusiasts wanting a steady classic-leaning program

Payment

Cards (all major) and cash

Price Range

Cocktails 45,000-65,000 COP, food 30,000-50,000 COP, wine by glass 28,000-45,000 COP

Cocktails ~$12/€11, food ~$9/€8.50, wine by glass ~$8.50/€7.80

Hours

Tue-Thu 17:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00, closed Sun-Mon

Insider Tip

The Old Fashioned variations are a Black Bear specialty; ask for the bartender's pick of the week. The back patio is the move for groups of three or more. Bartender tips of 10-15% in cash speed service.

Full Review

Black Bear's entrance on Carrera 12 leads into a glass-enclosed bar with plants forming the visible walls. The leafy aesthetic is genuine: the bar maintains the greenery as part of the décor rather than as a single-photo gimmick. The central bar runs the length of the room, with low couches and a few tables along the perimeter. The back patio adds another 20 seats in good weather.

The cocktail menu sits in the middle ground between classic and modern. The bartenders pull from their international training to deliver clean technique on Negronis, Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and Sazeracs; the menu also includes seasonal originals that change quarterly. The list rotates with the bar's lead bartender, who has changed three times since opening.

The food is incidental rather than a draw. Cured meats from Antioquia and the Eje Cafetero, a short cheese list (mostly imported), and a handful of hot bites. The kitchen runs as a pairing operation, not a restaurant.

Compared with Huerta (more botanical, more technical), Black Bear is more accessible and less precious. Compared with KYN (Asian-inspired, more focused on one cuisine), Black Bear is broader and more flexible. The repeat-visitor base is the indicator; people come back to Black Bear regularly in a way they don't come back to most Bogotá venues.

The Parque 93 location is a five-minute walk from BBC Pub, London Calling, and Apache. It works as both a destination cocktail bar and a transition stop between dinner at Salto del Angel and a later move to a rooftop. For visitors who want one cocktail bar to define their Bogotá trip, Black Bear and Huerta are the two consensus picks.

The Neighborhood

Black Bear sits on Carrera 12 facing Parque 93 from the south. Salto del Angel is one block east; KYN is two minutes' walk west; BBC Pub is across the park.

Getting There

Walk in from anywhere around Parque 93 or Uber to Carrera 12 #93-31. From Centro the ride costs 22,000-30,000 COP.

Address

Carrera 12 #93-31, Bogotá, Colombia

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