Café Havana
Café Havana is the heartbeat of Getsemaní's nightlife and arguably the most famous bar in Cartagena. For nearly two decades, this corner bar has been serving mojitos and hosting two complete live salsa orchestras every night. The walls are covered in Cuban flags, portraits of salsa legends, and the kind of patina that only decades of cigarette smoke and dancing feet can produce. The orchestras play from Son Cubano to the hits of Joe Arroyo, and the dance floor fills with everyone from skilled salseros to tourists learning on the fly. Fridays are electric. The three-floor operation includes a street-level bar, a second-floor restaurant with authentic Cuban food, and a rooftop with city views.
What to Expect
Live salsa at volume in a room that runs on rhythm and rum. Two complete orchestras per night mean the music never stops. The dance floor is a democracy: skilled dancers share space with beginners, and nobody judges. When the band hits a Joe Arroyo classic, the entire room erupts. It's the single best nightlife experience in Cartagena.
Absolutely electric. Cuban nostalgia meets Colombian heat meets live salsa perfection.
Live salsa, Son Cubano, and Colombian tropical from full orchestras
Casual to smart casual. Shoes you can dance in are essential.
Everyone. Seriously. Solo travelers, couples, groups. If you go to one bar in Cartagena, make it this one.
Cash and cards accepted
Price Range
Cover COP 20,000-40,000, mojitos COP 20,000-30,000, Cuban food COP 25,000-50,000
≈ €4–11 / $5–12
Hours
Tue-Sat from 8 PM to 3 AM, bands start around 10 PM
Insider Tip
Arrive by 9 PM for a table near the stage. Friday nights are the most energetic but also the most crowded. The croquetas de queso and papas rellenas from the kitchen are genuinely good. Don't be afraid to dance badly; everyone starts somewhere.
Address
Calle de la Media Luna, corner of Calle del Guerrero
Other Venues in Getsemani
Demente
Graffiti-covered bar with cheap cocktails and a backpacker-heavy crowd. Good early-evening spot for drinks around Plaza de la Trinidad before heading elsewhere.
El Arsenal: The Rum Box
Rum-focused bar with an extensive Caribbean and Colombian selection. Colonial building interior with knowledgeable bartenders and a pace slower than the nearby clubs.
Beiyu
Asian-fusion cocktail bar bringing a different flavor to Getsemaní's scene. Moody lighting, creative drinks, and a crowd that skews toward late-20s and 30-somethings.
Media Luna Hostel Bar
Open-air hostel bar that doubles as one of Getsemaní's main social hubs. Cheap drinks, rotating DJs, and a reliable starting point for backpackers before a night out.