Alquimico Cartagena earned international recognition on 7 October 2026, when it ranked No. 3 on The 50 Best Bars 2026 list. The bar also received the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2026 and was named The Best Bar in South America 2026, adding to its reputation as one of the leading destinations in the global bar scene.
What sets Alquimico apart is how it combines creative cocktail-making, Colombian ingredients, and a three-floor concept to give visitors different ways to experience the venue. Its approach extends beyond the menu, with agricultural partnerships, hospitality initiatives, and environmental projects forming part of its wider identity.
For visitors exploring Cartagena’s nightlife, Alquimico offers an opportunity to experience a bar recognized for its approach to hospitality and mixology.
This guide covers its location, the concepts behind its three floors, signature cocktails, food options, community initiatives, and practical information to help you plan your visit.
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Where Is Alquimico in Cartagena?
Alquimico is located at Calle del Colegio #34-24, in Cartagena’s historic centre. Its location within the Walled City makes it convenient to include in an evening spent exploring the area’s historic streets, plazas, restaurants, and other nightlife destinations.
The bar occupies a historic mansion, bringing together the character of Cartagena’s architectural heritage and a contemporary approach to hospitality. Its central location also makes it practical to combine a visit with dinner or a walk through the surrounding historic district.
Getting to Alquimico depends on where you are staying. Visitors staying within the Walled City can often walk to the venue, while those in Getsemaní may also find it walkable, depending on their starting point. From Bocagrande, a taxi or other local transportation may be more convenient.
If you are planning an evening out, consider how you will return to your accommodation, especially if you are staying outside the historic centre. Allow extra time for transportation and check local conditions before setting off.
For visitors who want to explore more of the city, Alquimico can fit into a broader itinerary that includes historic & cultural sites, restaurants, and other nightlife spots.
Planning the rest of your Cartagena stay? Explore Two Travel’s Cartagena travel guides for recommendations on historic landmarks, local attractions, restaurants, and nightlife spots to help you build an itinerary around your interests.
Inside Alquimico: Three Floors, Three Distinct Experiences
One of Alquimico Cartagena’s defining features is its three-floor concept. Each level has its own identity, offering a different perspective on the venue’s approach to cocktails, Colombian ingredients, and hospitality. The concepts are known as Comunidad, Clásicos Alquimistas, and Farm to Bar.
Rather than repeating the same experience throughout the building, the three levels provide distinct settings and menu concepts, giving visitors different ways to explore Alquimico.
First Floor: Comunidad and the Courtyard Bar
The ground floor, Comunidad, centres on a courtyard with an island bar where visitors can watch bartenders prepare cocktails. The layout places the bar at the heart of the space, making cocktail preparation an integral part of the experience.
Its menu features original creations influenced by Colombian ingredients and regional flavours. For visitors unfamiliar with the country’s diverse culinary traditions, this offers an introduction to ingredients and combinations that may be less common in conventional cocktail menus.
Comunidad provides a natural starting point for exploring Alquimico. Its courtyard setting and open bar create a direct connection between the preparation of each drink and the overall atmosphere of the venue.
Second Floor: Clásicos Alquimistas
Clásicos Alquimistas focuses on reinterpretations of established cocktail recipes. Familiar styles provide the starting point, while alternative ingredients and contemporary techniques give the drinks their own character.
One example is Alquimico’s interpretation of the Negroni, which combines gin, mead, Campari, blackberry, limoncello, and wormwood, according to the menu description. The combination builds on the classic cocktail’s bitter profile while introducing additional fruit, citrus, and herbal elements.
This floor is worth exploring for visitors interested in seeing how familiar cocktail styles can be adapted through different ingredients and preparation methods. If you are uncertain what to choose, ask the bartender about the available options and their flavour profiles.
Rooftop: Farm to Bar
Farm to Bar is the concept associated with Alquimico’s rooftop. Its menu draws attention to Colombian ingredients and the relationship between agricultural production and what appears on the menu.
The rooftop provides a different setting from the courtyard and second-floor bar, allowing visitors to experience another side of the venue. Its concept brings together menu development, ingredient sourcing, and Alquimico’s wider interest in Colombian agriculture.
Planning to visit Alquimico as part of a wider Cartagena itinerary? Contact Two Travel to create a personalized itinerary tailored to your interests.
Why Alquimico Ranked No. 3 in The 50 Best Bars 2026
Alquimico ranked No. 3 on The 50 Best Bars 2026 list, placing it among the highest-ranked bars in the world. Its official profile highlights the venue’s Colombian-inspired approach, distinctive three-floor concept, hospitality, and community initiatives
The bar’s identity combines several elements rather than relying on one signature feature. Its original cocktail creations sit alongside reinterpretations of established recipes, while its three-floor concept provides different ways to explore the menu. Colombian ingredients and agricultural sourcing also feature prominently in its approach.
Alquimico received two additional distinctions in 2026: the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and the title The Best Bar in South America. These recognitions highlight different aspects of its standing in the hospitality industry.
Awards provide useful context for visitors choosing where to spend an evening in Cartagena, but they are only one part of the experience. The venue’s setting, menu, service, and approach to hospitality are equally relevant when deciding whether it suits your interests.
For travellers interested in exploring Cartagena’s wider bar scene, Alquimico is one option to consider alongside the city’s other nightlife destinations.
Read Two Travel’s guide to the best bars in Cartagena for more information about the city’s hospitality scene and other places to consider during your stay.
Colombian Ingredients and Signature Cocktails at Alquimico
Alquimico Cartagena combines established mixology techniques with ingredients and flavours that reflect Colombia’s culinary diversity. Its cocktail concepts range from original creations to reworked classics, with different menus reflecting the venue’s approach to flavour and sourcing.
The following examples illustrate the combinations described in published menu information. Because cocktail recipes and availability can change, consult the official second-floor menu and third-floor menu before visiting.
Mango
The Mango cocktail is described as combining reposado tequila, mango vermouth, palm wine, and hops. These ingredients bring together fruit, botanical character, and bitterness. You should confirm the current recipe and availability against the venue’s latest menu.
Negroni
Alquimico’s interpretation of the Negroni combines gin, mead, Campari, blackberry, limoncello, and wormwood. The combination builds on the bitter character associated with the classic while introducing fruity, citrus, and herbal elements.
Hibiscus
The Hibiscus cocktail is described as combining rum, ginger, hibiscus flower, red bitter, and falernum. Its ingredients bring together floral, spicy, and bitter characteristics, illustrating another approach to flavour across the venue’s cocktail concepts.
Coca
The Coca cocktail is described as combining gin, passion fruit, and toasted coca-leaf soda. The combination brings together fruit and botanical elements in a distinctive preparation. Verify the recipe against current official menu information before presenting it as an available option.
These examples provide a sense of Alquimico’s approach to cocktail-making, but they should not be treated as a complete or permanent menu. If you have a particular flavour preference, ask the bartender for recommendations based on the available options.
Food Options at Alquimico
Although Alquimico is primarily known for its cocktail programme, food also contributes to the experience. This means it may also be worth considering Alquimico as part of a wider dining itinerary, depending on the current offering.
The current food menu was created by chef Jaime Rodríguez of Celele and takes a plant-based approach to Colombian ingredients and culinary traditions.
Examples featured on the menu include coconut-viche ceviche, mushroom-and-sesame ceviche, and yuca carimañolas. These dishes reflect an approach that draws on Colombian ingredients and contemporary preparation techniques.
However, menus change, and the above-mentioned dishes should not be treated as guaranteed options. Check the venue’s current food menu before visiting, particularly if you plan to dine there rather than simply order a small dish alongside your visit.
If you have allergies or dietary requirements, confirm the ingredients and preparation methods rather than assuming a dish is suitable based on its description. For instance, a menu described as plant-focused does not necessarily mean that every dish is vegan or suitable for every dietary need.
Planning a food-focused trip to Cartagena? Two Travel can help coordinate restaurant arrangements and build a personalized itinerary around Cartagena’s culinary scene and local experiences.
Beyond the Bar: Agricultural Partnerships, Education, and Environmental Initiatives
Alquimico’s identity extends beyond its physical setting and cocktail menus. Its work with agricultural communities, hospitality education, and environmental projects forms part of a broader approach to hospitality. According to The 50 Best’s profile of Alquimico and its coverage of the 2026 Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, the venue’s three concepts are connected to initiatives addressing different social and environmental priorities.
Agricultural Partnerships in Montes de María
Alquimico’s ground-floor Comunidad concept is linked to ASOCOMAN, an agricultural organization working with farmers in Colombia’s Montes de María region. The partnership connects the bar’s menu with local agricultural production and the people who cultivate regional ingredients.
According to The 50 Best’s reporting, the relationship also supports water-related and educational projects for the farming community. These initiatives give the partnership a broader purpose than ingredient sourcing alone, connecting Alquimico’s hospitality business with projects intended to address local community needs.
Hospitality Education and Training for Young People
Alquimico’s work also extends to hospitality education. In its August 2026 feature on the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, The 50 Best reported that the venue’s dedicated hospitality school opened in 2026.
The initiative aims to give young people access to education and practical training for careers in hospitality. By developing skills relevant to the industry, the school is intended to broaden opportunities for people seeking to enter the sector.
Farm to Bar and Environmental Conservation in Quindío
Alquimico’s Farm to Bar concept is associated with agricultural work in Filandia, Quindío, in Colombia’s Coffee Region. The farm was developed during the pandemic and connects agricultural production with the venue’s approach to ingredients and menu development.
The project also has an environmental dimension. The 50 Best reports that the rooftop concept supports the planting of native trees on the farm, with the broader objective of helping regenerate the surrounding ecosystem. Its 2026 award coverage discusses the relationship between agricultural sourcing and these environmental efforts.
How These Initiatives Shape Alquimico’s Approach to Hospitality
The ASOCOMAN partnership, hospitality school, and Farm to Bar project show how Alquimico connects its business with agricultural production, skills development, and environmental objectives.
Each initiative addresses a different area, from relationships with farming communities to training opportunities for young people and native-tree planting.
These projects also provide context for the venue’s Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2026. Alongside its international ranking and distinctive three-floor format, they help explain why Alquimico is notable as more than a place to order a cocktail.
For visitors, this wider context offers another way to understand the venue’s identity. Its hospitality approach encompasses not only the guest experience but also the agricultural and community relationships associated with its work.
Want to discover more of Cartagena beyond its nightlife? Two Travel can help you plan a personalized itinerary featuring the city’s historic centre, cultural attractions, restaurants, and local experiences.
Planning Your Visit to Alquimico Cartagena
A little preparation can help you plan your visit to Alquimico Cartagena. Before heading out, check the venue’s official policies for the latest opening hours, dress code, and entry requirements.
Alquimico opens at 7 p.m. daily, closing at 2 a.m. from Sunday through Wednesday and 3 a.m. from Thursday through Saturday. The venue does not accept table reservations, and its official guidance recommends arriving before 8 p.m. to improve your chances of entering during busy periods. Entry is not guaranteed, so check the current policies before setting out.
Alquimico does not permit minors. Visitors should also follow the venue’s smart-casual dress code, which restricts certain clothing, including beachwear and athletic wear. Review the official policies for the complete requirements before your visit.
You should keep these practical considerations in mind:
- Confirm the opening hours: Check the official policies before travelling, as operating hours may change.
- Plan your arrival: Since table reservations are not available, consider arriving before 8 p.m., particularly on busy evenings.
- Check the dress code and entry rules: Make sure everyone in your group meets Cartagena’s clothing requirements.
- Explore the different floors: Each floor has its own concept and menu, so allow enough time if you want to experience more than one.
- Arrange your transportation: If you are staying outside Cartagena’s historic centre, plan your return journey in advance.
- Check the menus: Cocktail selections, food options, and prices may change. Consult the official Alquimico website for the latest information.
Need transportation around Cartagena? Two Travel can help arrange private transportation between your accommodation, Alquimico, restaurants, and other destinations on your itinerary, making it easier to coordinate your evening.
Alquimico: More than a Bar
Alquimico is one of the venues that has brought international attention to Cartagena’s hospitality scene. Its location in the historic centre also makes it a useful reference point when planning an itinerary around the city.
Make planning your Cartagena trip easier. Two Travel can help coordinate transportation, restaurant arrangements, and personalized itineraries tailored to your travel plans.
