If you’re an expat or tourist in Medellín, chances are you’ve heard of Parque Lleras — the beating heart of the city’s legendary nightlife.
Nestled in the vibrant Zona Rosa of El Poblado, this iconic square is surrounded by a dense mix of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and cafés, making it one of the top destinations for a night out in Medellín.
But while Lleras Park is among the most popular spots in the city after dark, it’s also a place where you should stay alert. As in many nightlife districts around the world, issues like pickpocketing and drink spiking (notably with scopolamine) have been reported.
In recent years, local security efforts have contributed to improving the area’s safety and atmosphere, helping make it more welcoming for visitors — and the results are starting to show:
Public spaces
12.859 m2 were renovated
More security
100 fences were installed at the six access points
Forbidden
Only adults are allowed access after 7 p.m.
That said, it’s always wise to take basic precautions when going out. At Medellin Guru, your safety matters to us — that’s why we’ve created a free emergency guide for travelers in Colombia, which you can download below.
Day vs Night in Parque Lleras
A day-time visit to Parque Lleras is substantially different than a night-time visit. During the day, take a stroll through the park and stop at the Juan Valdez coffee shop or even sit on the benches enjoying the free Wi-Fi.
Most of the bars and clubs and some restaurants are closed during the day. But some of the best cafes like Cafe Velvet and Pergamino are within two blocks from the park. And you’ll typically find many digital nomads doing some work in these cafes.
In addition, during the day in Parque Lleras you’ll usually find some vendors selling artwork, jewelry, snacks and trinkets.
The park is relaxing during the day because you won’t hear music, it is an ideal space to rest from work. Additionally, you will find free wifi.
At night, the beautiful lights above the park turn on, and you’ll notice the noise level, rowdiness, and the number of people increase tremendously.
All the restaurants surrounding the park are open, and you’ll hear DJs or live bands in several of the clubs on the weekends. There are many places around the park for cocktails and dancing.
For example, stop at the Charlee Hotel and take the elevator to the penthouse (the bar called Envy Rooftop) for a classy beverage and stunning skyline views.
At night, many more vendors come out and start getting a bit pushier about their services. You’ll have a range, from those offering flyers from their club or restaurant to offers for drugs and various trinkets. Use caution, especially as a foreigner.
Parque Lleras Nightlife: Bars and Nightclubs
Well over 100 open-air restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are located in the streets around Parque Lleras. Many nightclubs are playing either a mixture of Latin music genres like reggaetón or salsa, rock, electronica music, and more.
Here is a list of 11 of the most popular bars and nightclubs in and near Parque Lleras (within a five-minute walk):
- Bendito Seas is full of cheesy Colombian decorations and popular with a young crown for drinking, dancing, and sometimes live music. Calle 10A # 38-21.
- Blue – a popular place to dance to rock music with a few Western rock songs typically mixed in. At Calle 10 # 40-20.
- Calle 9+1 – Mostly plays electronic music and attracts many foreigners and the LGBT crowd. Calle 10 # 40-10.
- El Deck – Both foreigners and locals frequent this popular club, and it’s sometimes packed when it has international DJs. Carrera 40 # 10-34.
- Envy Rooftop – a bar with a fantastic view at the top of The Charlee Hotel in Parque Lleras. Calle 9A # 37-16.
- La Chingona – a popular Colombia fonda-style club playing lots of Colombian music. Carrera 39 # 7-124. (Update: this restaurant-bar is no longer based in Lleras).
- Mansion Club – a relatively small club with techno and house music – is only open Friday and Saturday nights. Carrera 36 # 10-37 (Update: this club is closed).
- Open Sky Rooftop – electronica music and known for having large cocktails. Carrera 38 # 8- (Update: this club is closed).
- Salon Amador – a popular dance club that frequently has international DJs. Carrera 36 # 10-38.
- Skybar – Rooftop bar with an amazing view of the city. Carrera 38 # 8-83 (Update: this club is closed).
- Woka Lounge – a posh restaurant/bar that plays older tunes and is decorated with a rainforest theme. Carrera 38 # 8-13 (Update: this club is closed)
Important: After the coronavirus pandemic, many bars, clubs, restaurants, and venues closed, and others moved to Provenza (the new party area of Medellín, located a few blocks above Lleras).
Sports Bars
There are four popular Parque Lleras sports bars, which are good places to watch major sporting events like the Super Bowl, World Cup, World Series, or the NBA finals:
- Ay, Wey Bar & Grill – serves Tex-Mex food – Calle 10 #35-33.
- Hooters – the U.S.-based chain that serves wings and many other dishes – Carrera 37A # 8-44.
- Patrick’s Irish Pub – a popular sports bar with a large menu – Carrera 37A # 8A-43.
- Medellin Beer Factory – a popular sports bar with two locations in Parque Lleras and nearby – Carrera 37A # 9-9A in Parque Lleras and Calle 10 # 35-16 (nearby).
We included all four of these sports bars in an article about 6 popular sports bars in Medellín.
Parque Lleras Restaurants
There are many restaurants in Parque Lleras and within a few blocks. And 11 of the most popular in the nearby area include:
- Al Rojo – Italian and steak restaurant – Calle 9 # 38-09 (This restaurant is closed on El Lleras)
- Basilica – a mix of Peruvian and sushi – Carrera 38 # 8A-42 (This restaurant is closed)
- Carmen – one of the best restaurants in Medellín with good international food – Carrera 36 # 10A-27
- Café Zorba – a very popular pizzeria with very good vegetarian thin-crust pizzas – Calle 8 # 42-33
- Chef Burger – a popular gourmet burger chain in Medellín – Calle 11A # 42 – 05 (This restaurant is closed on El Lleras)
- El Cielo – another of the best restaurants in Medellín – Carrera 40 # 10A-22
- Hanami – perhaps the best Japanese restaurant in Medellín – Calle 10B # 35-8
- Il Forno – a popular chain of Italian restaurants in Medellín – Carrera 37A # 8-9
- Mondongos – traditional Colombian food with large portions – Calle 10 # 38-38
And there are many more restaurant choices on the streets around Parque Lleras. Also, there are many more restaurant options in the nearby Provenza neighborhood.
In addition, along Calle 10 near Parque Lleras, you can find many fast food options, including American fast food like Domino’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Subway.
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Parque Lleras Coffee Shops
Also, there are several popular Parque Lleras area coffee shops, including:
- Buenavida Café – a small coffee shop that isn’t as crowded as the others – Carrera 37 # 8A-116
- Café Velvet – a popular café with digital nomads – Carrera 37 #8A-46
- Juan Valdez Café – a huge coffee shop chain in Colombia – Carrera 37A # 8A-74
- Pergamino Café – perhaps the best-known independent coffee shop in Medellín, also popular with digital nomads – Carrera 37 # 8A-37
- Swiss Bakery – small coffee shop with Swiss bread and desserts – Carrera 39 # 8-74
Safety in Parque Lleras
In general, I find Parque Lleras a safe area if you choose to avoid trouble. There is usually a noticeable police presence, particularly at night.
Parque Llleras has been experiencing problems with drugs and prostitution, resulting in an increased police presence. Also, you are no longer permitted to drink alcohol in Parque Lleras.
Foreigners tend to be targeted a bit more for the things that could get one in trouble here in Medellin, so it’s best to stay away from all negative temptations.
Most notably, a popular expression called Dar Papaya translates to Don’t Give Papaya. This means don’t give people a reason to target or steal from you. This can include wearing expensive jewelry, having your phone out unnecessarily, or drinking too much and looking inebriated.
Also, dress conservatively and lose the shorts and flip-flops. Try not to be such an obvious foreign tourist that can make you a target. See how typical Colombians dress. An expat in shorts and flip-flops speaking English loudly on an iPhone will likely attract unwanted attention in Parque Lleras and other parts of Medellín.
During 2023, the security conditions in Parque Lleras have changed. Since the month of May, it was decided to close this space to control the entry, thus prohibiting minors from being in this place at night. Also, there is more police presence in the area.
If you want to know the Medellín police stations near to that sector, download the guide below.
But you’ll see obvious foreigners in Parque Lleras always dressed in shorts and flip-flops and sometimes doing things they shouldn’t. So, you should see our 17 Medellín security tips to keep yourself safe.
While I have experienced no issues, you can easily get into trouble by accepting or purchasing unethical things. As with any visit to a new country, keep your wits about you, stay aware, and do not walk home alone. Also, it is best to take a taxi at night unless you are going a very short distance.
Also, in the center of Parque Lleras, you will see a statue that is a memorial from a darker time in Medellín. On May 17, 2001, there was a car bomb detonated in Parque Lleras that killed eight people and wounded almost 100 others.
How to Get to Parque Lleras
Parque Lleras is located very close to one of the main streets in El Poblado – Calle 10. Technically, the park is surrounded by the following four streets: Calle 9A, Carrera 40, Calle 9, and Carrera 37A.
The nearest Medellín Metro station is the Poblado station on the A Line. Parque Lleras is a 20-minute walk uphill from the metro station. In addition, two other popular parks – Parque Poblado and Parque Presidente, are about a five-minute walk from Parque Lleras.
Taxis are another option to get to Parque Lleras. Every taxi driver in Medellín will know where Parque Lleras is located.
And if you are looking for a specific address in or near Parque Lleras, I think it’s fair to say that many locals do not know the exact street numbers or names. This includes taxi drivers.
However, people know the important landmarks, parks, and their corresponding locations.
So, if you’re going to a restaurant near Parque Lleras, you can easily tell your driver Parque Lleras and walk a block or two to your bar or restaurant destination. The one-way streets surrounding the park can get confusing and frustrating.
Another good idea is using the smartphone apps Waze and Google Maps, two of the 20 best mobile apps in Medellín and Colombia.
Where you can Stay in Parque Lleras
Parks and Plazas in Medellín
On the Medellin Guru website, we have looked at 12 different parks and plazas in the Medellín and Aburra Valley area:
- Parque Arví – a very large nature reserve, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Medellín.
- Parque Lleras – the top nightlife district in Medellín.
- Piedras Blancas – an ecological park near Medellín worth visiting.
- Parque Sabaneta – arguably the nicest park in the Medelllín metro area.
- Plaza Botero – a popular outdoor plaza with 23 sculptures by Fernando Botero.
- Plaza Cisneros – Parque de las Luces, Medellín’s Park of Lights in El Centro.
- Jardín Botánico – the popular Medellín botanical gardens.
- Parques Del Río – Medellín’s ambitious River Parks project along the Medellín River with the first stage open.
- Plaza San Antonio – a large plaza with four Fernando Botero sculptures and sometimes has concerts.
- Cerro el Volado – a huge park with incredible views of Medellín.
- Cerro Pan de Azucar – a park with amazing views of Medellín.
- Parque de los Deseos – a popular park in Zona Norte offering various free cultural activities.
The Bottom Line: Parque Lleras and Beyond
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Parque Lleras has bounced back and remains one of Medellín’s top nightlife hotspots. With its wide range of bars, clubs, restaurants, and cafés, it’s a must-visit if you’re staying in El Poblado. Right next door, the Provenza neighborhood offers an equally vibrant scene with a more upscale, bohemian vibe.
Lleras is especially popular among foreign visitors, and you’ll find plenty of hostels, hotels, and furnished apartments nearby. Just keep in mind that prices for drinks and meals tend to be higher than in other parts of the city.
If you’re looking to explore beyond Lleras, Medellín offers several great alternatives:
Calle 33 in Laureles – a local favorite for rumba and live music, with fewer tourists.
La 70 (Setenta) – another Laureles hotspot, known for its salsa bars and small clubs.
Barrio Colombia and Las Palmas – home to some of the city’s largest and most popular nightclubs.
Parque Sabaneta – a charming plaza in the south of the valley that comes alive on weekends with a more traditional paisa party vibe.
Whether you’re into high-energy clubs or more relaxed local spots, Medellín has nightlife for every taste — and Parque Lleras is just the beginning.
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Editor’s note: This was updated on January 26, 2024, to remove some places that closed and add new information about the park.