Bendito Seas
Bendito Seas runs a craft cocktail bar in Laureles that quietly challenges the assumption that all good drinking happens in El Poblado. The space is compact and carefully designed, with a bar that shows off the spirits and a lighting scheme that flatters everyone. The cocktail menu blends local Colombian ingredients (lulo, maracuyá, guanábana) with solid technique. Prices are noticeably lower than the same quality in El Poblado or Parque Lleras. The crowd is mostly local Laureles residents and people from the nearby Estadio metro station neighborhood. On weekdays, it's a conversation bar. Weekends bring more energy.
What to Expect
A polished cocktail bar that feels like a local secret. The quality matches El Poblado's best at Laureles prices. Intimate enough for real conversation, lively enough on weekends to feel festive. Good for an early evening drink that extends into the night.
Intimate, well-crafted, and locally loved. Laureles' best-kept secret.
Background lounge, indie, and electronic. Conversation-friendly.
Smart casual. Laureles keeps it relaxed but put-together.
Cocktail lovers and travelers who've discovered that Laureles outperforms El Poblado on value.
Cards and cash accepted
Price Range
Cocktails COP 18,000-35,000, beer COP 8,000-15,000
≈ €2-8 / $2-8
Hours
Wed-Sat from 6 PM to 1 AM
Insider Tip
The guanábana cocktails are the house specialty and genuinely delicious. Sit at the bar for the most interactive experience. This is Laureles' best cocktail bar and locals know it, so weekend tables fill early.
Full Review
Bendito Seas is compact and deliberate. The bar dominates the room, with spirits displayed prominently and enough counter seating to watch the bartenders work. The rest of the space holds small tables under warm, low lighting. The design is clean without being sterile: exposed brick, a few well-chosen art pieces, and a color palette that runs dark and warm.
The cocktails use Colombian tropical fruits as their foundation. Guanabana, lulo, and maracuya appear across the menu in combinations that showcase the ingredients rather than hiding them. The bartenders are skilled and conversational, especially if you sit at the counter. On weeknights, the crowd is Laureles locals having a quiet drink. Weekends bring more energy and the tables fill earlier.
Bendito Seas competes directly with El Poblado's cocktail bars on quality but undercuts them on price by 20-30%. It's less flashy than the rooftop bars in Parque Lleras and smaller than Alquimico in Cartagena, but the drink quality holds up against both. For cocktail-focused drinking in Medellin, this is the best value.
The guanabana cocktails are the house specialty and genuinely worth ordering. Weekend tables fill early, so arrive before 8 PM for the best seating. The intimate size means it doesn't work well for groups larger than six.
The Neighborhood
Bendito Seas represents Laureles' growing cocktail scene, which has quietly started challenging El Poblado's dominance. The bar draws from the surrounding residential neighborhood and the nearby Estadio metro station area, attracting locals who'd rather drink well close to home.
Getting There
Metro to Estadio station, followed by a five-minute walk. Taxis from El Poblado run COP 10,000-15,000. The bar is on a residential street, so use GPS for the exact location.
Where to stay in Medellin
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Laureles / La 70
Son Havana
Salsa bar and dance club on the La 70 strip with live bands on weekends. Popular with local salsa dancers. A good place to practice if you know the basics.
La Tienda del Gordo
No-frills corner spot that's become a Laureles institution. Cheap drinks, plastic chairs on the sidewalk, and a genuine barrio atmosphere free of tourist markup.
El Social
Craft beer bar and casual hangout on La 70 attracting a younger professional crowd. More curated than the typical corner tienda, with Colombian microbrews on tap.
Panorama Rooftop
Rooftop bar with views across the Laureles rooftops. Cocktails and house music on weekends, more relaxed midweek. A step up from the street-level beer spots.
El Tibiri
Classic salsa club on La 70 with live orchestras on weekends. The dance floor fills with serious salseros and the energy is authentic, not performative.
La Octava
Craft cocktail bar on Circular 1 with a rotating menu of Colombian-inspired drinks. Small space, dim lighting, and bartenders who know their trade.