REVIEW · DRINKING TOURS

Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia

★ 4.5 · 27 reviews 4 hours 15 minutes (approx.) From $28 Operated by 5am Club Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Start with four different nightlife stops. This Cartagena bar crawl gives you a simple way to move from a cocktail bar in the old center to a seven-room club in Getsemaní, with a guide handling the route and introductions. I like the mix of settings, and I like the free club entry at Seven 7 Times. The main drawback is clear: most drinks are not included, so the $28 price does not cover the night’s bar tab.

The tour begins at 8:30 p.m. and lasts about four hours and 15 minutes, including walking between venues. I also like that solo visitors can join a small social group, though the maximum group size is 50, and the pace may feel slow if you want to dance right away.

Quick facts about the Cartagena night out

Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia - Quick facts about the Cartagena night out

  • Four stops in about four hours: You move from Barra 7 to XO Rooftop, El Pasquin de Joaco, and Seven 7 Times.
  • The main included value is at the final club: Entry to Seven 7 Times is free.
  • Barra 7 offers the only stated drink deal: A 50,000 COP promotion includes a beer, shot, and cocktail.
  • Two middle stops give discounts, not free drinks: You receive 10% off your check at XO Rooftop and El Pasquin.
  • The route links El Centro and Getsemaní: You start at Carrera 6 #32-90 and finish at Calle Media Luna #9-79.
  • Dress carefully: Swimwear, sandals, hats, shorts, sunglasses, tank tops, and sportswear are not permitted.

What the $28 price really buys you

Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia - What the $28 price really buys you

At $28 per person, this is best understood as a hosted night out, not an all-inclusive drinking package. Your payment covers the guide, the organized route, the 50,000 COP drink promotion at Barra 7, discounts at two bars, and entry to Seven 7 Times.

That distinction matters. If you expect several free cocktails and shots at every stop, you may feel disappointed. The drinks you order at XO Rooftop, El Pasquin, and Seven 7 Times are extra, even after the discounts.

I see the price as reasonable for someone who wants structure. You do not need to choose four venues, work out the walking route, or figure out where a club entrance is included. You also get an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, which can make the evening easier if you are new to Cartagena.

The value is weaker if you already know the city’s nightlife and are comfortable choosing bars on your own. One person left after the first two stops because the evening felt too slow and too focused on spending money. That criticism is worth taking seriously. This is not a nonstop club night from the first minute.

More bars and breweries in Cartagena:

Starting at Barra 7 in El Centro

Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia - Starting at Barra 7 in El Centro

Meet at Barra 7 Cocktail Bar at Carrera 6 #32-90 in El Centro at 8:30 p.m. This first stop sets a relaxed tone, with a local bar atmosphere and drinks described as well priced.

The included drink promotion is listed as 50,000 COP and includes a beer, shot, and cocktail. The stop description also refers to two promotions, so I would confirm the exact deal with the guide when you arrive. The key point is that Barra 7 is where you receive the clearest drink inclusion of the night.

You spend about one hour here. That gives you time to meet the group, order the included promotion, and settle into the evening without racing through your first drink. If you want a quick introduction to Cartagena nightlife, this is a useful opening stop.

The tradeoff is that an hour can feel long if the group is not clicking or if you came mainly to dance. The evening depends heavily on the guide’s energy and the group mix. Paulina received especially warm praise for being helpful during the night and for offering recommendations afterward, so a good host can make this first hour much more enjoyable.

XO Rooftop after the first walk

Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia - XO Rooftop after the first walk

The second stop is XO Rooftop Cartagena, a bar and club with a rooftop setting. The evening spends another hour here, and you receive 10% off your check.

This stop shifts the mood from a local cocktail bar toward a more polished bar and club setting. The venue is described as known for local cocktails and a strong weekend atmosphere. That makes XO a good place to order something beyond the basic beer included at Barra 7, provided you are ready to pay for it.

The 10% discount helps, but it is not a major reduction. On a modest order, the savings will be small. I would treat it as a useful perk rather than a reason to order more than you planned.

Because walking time is part of the stated four-hour-15-minute duration, you should not assume every stop gives you a full uninterrupted hour of drinking. The actual flow can depend on the group, the walk, and how quickly everyone is ready to move. Wear comfortable shoes that also fit the dress code, since sandals and casual beachwear are not allowed.

Cocktails and disco atmosphere at El Pasquin

The third stop is El Pasquin de Joaco Gastro Bar, another venue in the center of Cartagena. It combines cocktail-bar service with a disco setting, so the mood should feel more energetic than the first stop.

You receive 10% off the check here as well. The discount is helpful if you want a cocktail, but you still pay for what you consume. If your priority is trying different drinks, this is one of the better points in the route to do it, since the venue is specifically presented as a cocktail-focused stop.

Again, you spend about one hour. By this stage, the group has had time to get acquainted, and the social side of the tour becomes more important. A solo visitor can benefit most here because the organized group gives you people to talk with instead of leaving you to approach a bar alone.

Still, the pacing may not suit everyone. One low-scoring account complained that the group did not move quickly enough and left after the first bar. If you prefer a tightly packed night with constant music and dancing, you may want to treat the first two stops as optional warm-up time rather than expect a full club experience from the start.

Ending at Seven 7 Times in Getsemaní

The final stop is Seven 7 Times at Calle Media Luna #9-79 in Getsemaní. Here, the important inclusion is free entrance.

Seven 7 Times is described as a well-known club that attracts both local people and foreigners. Its unusual feature is seven separate rooms, giving the venue more variety than a single-floor club. You can finish the evening in a setting built for dancing rather than conversation over cocktails.

The group is dropped off at the club, so this is the end point of the organized portion. The tour does not promise a ride back to your hotel, and no return transport is included in the stated details. Plan your own way back before the night begins.

The free entry can make a real difference. Club admission is often the most frustrating surprise on a night out, so having it covered gives the $28 fee more weight. If you enjoy the first three stops and stay until the end, Seven 7 Times is the part most likely to make the package feel worthwhile.

The club is also a practical ending for people who want to keep going. You are not being rushed back to a meeting point after the final stop. The tour simply gets you there and leaves you near the center of Cartagena.

Walking, timing, and group size

The tour starts at 8:30 p.m. and runs for roughly four hours and 15 minutes. Since walking time is included, the clock covers more than time inside the bars.

A maximum of 50 people can join. That is large enough for the group to feel busy on a popular Friday, though the actual number may be smaller. The strongest social benefit comes when the group is compact enough to talk easily. If the full capacity is reached, moving between venues and keeping everyone together may take patience.

The route is near public transportation, but the experience itself is designed around walking between venues in El Centro and Getsemaní. You should arrive at the first address rather than expect pickup. At the end, you are dropped at Seven 7 Times.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied details. No special fitness requirement is given, but you should be comfortable walking as part of a late-night outing. The tour also requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The dress code is stricter than casual beachwear

Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia - The dress code is stricter than casual beachwear

Cartagena is hot, so it is tempting to dress for the heat. The nightlife venues on this route require more care.

Do not wear:

  • Swimwear
  • Sandals
  • Hats
  • Shorts
  • Sunglasses
  • Tank tops
  • Sportswear

This is one of the most useful details to act on before leaving your accommodation. A clean, nightlife-ready outfit is safer than beach clothing. Since you will walk between stops, choose closed shoes that are comfortable enough for several hours.

The rules also explain why this is not a simple beach bar crawl. The route includes cocktail bars, a rooftop venue, a gastro bar, and a club. Each setting expects a more polished look.

Why the guide matters on this particular night

The guide is not just there to point out the next address. A hosted bar crawl works best when the guide keeps the group moving, explains the drink deals, helps people meet, and makes the transitions feel natural.

English and Spanish are available. That is useful if you want help ordering, understanding the discounts, or deciding how much time to spend at each place.

Paulina was singled out for being especially helpful, including giving recommendations after the night ended. That extra local advice can be valuable if you have another evening in Cartagena and want ideas beyond this route.

The quality of the night can still vary with the group. A friendly mix of solo visitors and small parties can create an easy social mood. A group that wants different things may make the pace feel uneven. The tour is a shared outing, not a private night planned around your preferences.

Who will enjoy this bar crawl most

I would recommend this experience to you if:

  • You are visiting Cartagena for the first time.
  • You want a planned night rather than choosing venues at random.
  • You are traveling alone and would like company.
  • You want to sample several nightlife settings in one evening.
  • You like cocktails, club music, and a social group.
  • You value free club entry and a local guide more than free drinks.

I would be more cautious if you already know Cartagena well or want to spend the whole night dancing. You can visit bars independently, and this tour includes only one clearly stated drink promotion. Someone looking for a fast-paced crawl may find the one-hour stops and walking time too slow.

It is also not ideal if you dislike paying separately for drinks. The 10% discounts at XO Rooftop and El Pasquin are modest, and the cost of your orders can quickly exceed the tour price.

How to get the most from the $28 fee

Arrive at Barra 7 before 8:30 p.m. so you are not trying to find the group after the start. Keep the meeting address handy: Carrera 6 #32-90 in El Centro.

Bring enough money for drinks beyond the included promotion. The supplied information does not state a drink limit or a fixed number of free cocktails at the later stops, so assume those purchases are your responsibility.

Ask the guide to clarify the Barra 7 promotion when you arrive. The details describe a 50,000 COP beer, shot, and cocktail promotion, while another part refers to two promotions. Clarifying this early avoids confusion.

Use the two middle stops to decide what kind of night you want. You do not need to order heavily at every venue to enjoy the route. Save some energy and money for Seven 7 Times, where your entrance is included.

Finally, arrange your return from Getsemaní in advance. The organized route ends at the club, and the stated package does not include transport back to your accommodation.

Cancellation and booking details

You receive confirmation when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 p.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

The cut-off is based on Cartagena local time. The activity also requires a minimum number of people, so if that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The average booking lead time is about 15 days. That does not guarantee a sellout, but it suggests you should reserve ahead if your Cartagena dates are fixed.

Should you book the Friday night crawl?

Book it if you want an easy social introduction to Cartagena after dark. The four-stop route, English or Spanish guide, Barra 7 promotion, two small discounts, and free entry at Seven 7 Times give you a clear structure for $28.

Skip it if you expect an all-inclusive party or prefer choosing every bar yourself. The strongest value comes from the organization and final club entry, not from free alcohol.

For a solo visitor, a first-time visitor, or anyone who wants a ready-made Friday plan, I think it is a sensible choice. Go in with realistic expectations, dress properly, budget for extra drinks, and treat the first three stops as a gradual build toward Seven 7 Times. That is the version of this night most likely to deliver.

FAQ

Where does the Cartagena bar crawl start?

It starts at Barra 7 Cocktail Bar, located at Cra. 6 #32-90 in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 p.m.

How long does the bar crawl last?

It lasts approximately four hours and 15 minutes, including walking time between venues.

Where does the tour end?

The group is dropped off at Seven 7 Times at Calle Media Luna #9-79 in Getsemaní.

What venues are included?

The route includes Barra 7, XO Rooftop Cartagena, El Pasquin de Joaco Gastro Bar, and Seven 7 Times.

Are drinks included in the price?

A 50,000 COP promotion at Barra 7 includes a beer, shot, and cocktail. Drinks consumed at the other venues are not included.

What discounts are provided?

You receive 10% off the check at XO Rooftop and 10% off the check at El Pasquin.

Is club entry included?

Yes. Entrance to Seven 7 Times is included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide service is available in English and Spanish.

What clothing is not allowed?

Swimwear, sandals, hats, shorts, sunglasses, tank tops, and sportswear are not allowed.

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