La Tienda del Gordo
La Tienda del Gordo is as neighborhood as bars get in Laureles. The name translates to 'The Fat Guy's Shop,' which tells you everything about the pretension level: zero. Beer is cold and cheap, the empanadas and chorizos are fresh off the grill, and the crowd is the same people who were here yesterday and will be here tomorrow. The outdoor tables face the street, which becomes the entertainment when you're three beers in. It's the kind of place where the owner knows everyone's name and their order. For visitors, it's a window into how paisas (Medellín locals) actually spend their evenings.
What to Expect
A classic tienda de barrio (neighborhood shop-bar) where the chairs are plastic, the beer is cold, and the conversation is warm. Not a destination bar. A real-life experience of Medellín's neighborhood culture.
Pure neighborhood warmth. The most authentic bar experience in Laureles.
Whatever the owner is playing. Usually vallenato or old-school salsa.
Very casual. Overdressing is a faux pas.
Travelers who want to experience Medellín beyond the tourist circuits.
Cash only
Price Range
Beer COP 3,000-6,000, empanadas COP 2,000, chorizos COP 5,000
≈ €0.45-1 / $0.48-1
Hours
Daily from late afternoon to midnight
Insider Tip
Order the chorizo with arepa. Bring cash. Join a conversation instead of observing one. The regulars are friendly and curious about visitors.
Full Review
La Tienda del Gordo is a shopfront bar with plastic tables spilling onto the sidewalk. The grill out front sends smoke signals announcing chorizos and empanadas to anyone within a block radius. Inside, the bar is a counter with a fridge behind it. Beer options are limited to whatever's cold. Decor is whatever accumulated over the years: a calendar, some football memorabilia, a clock that may or may not keep accurate time.
The owner knows every regular by name and probably their order too. Conversations flow between tables with the ease of people who see each other daily. The music comes from a speaker playing whatever the owner feels like, usually vallenato or old salsa records. Newcomers get curious looks followed by friendly questions. If you speak some Spanish, you'll be pulled into conversation within minutes.
Compared to the craft cocktail bars and rooftop lounges elsewhere in Medellin, La Tienda del Gordo exists in a parallel universe. It's not competing with Bendito Seas or Panorama Rooftop. The comparison point is the neighborhood tiendas that exist in every Colombian barrio, and this one happens to have earned a reputation among travelers for being particularly welcoming.
Order the chorizo with arepa. Bring cash, as cards are not an option. Overdressing marks you as an outsider faster than your accent will. The regulars are friendly and curious, but this is their space; treat it accordingly.
The Neighborhood
La Tienda del Gordo is a classic Laureles tienda de barrio, the type of shop-bar that anchors Colombian neighborhood social life. It sits on a residential street where the surrounding community uses it as an informal gathering spot after work and on weekends.
Getting There
Located in residential Laureles, a taxi from El Poblado costs COP 10,000-15,000. The Metro Estadio station is a 10-minute walk. Use GPS as the shop has minimal signage.
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.
Bendito Seas
Casual neighborhood bar on Carrera 70 with cheap aguardiente and beer. A local favorite for pre-gaming before hitting the bigger venues on the strip.
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.