Bazurto Social Club

Part of Cartagena's golden triangle of late-night dance venues in Getsemani, the anything goes music policy at this lively resto-bar keeps a young, enthusiastic crowd coming back for more.

Now in its third year, Bazurto's playful name draws its inspiration from the city's riotous open-air market and the Cuban all-star group of septuagenarian musicians made famous by Ry Cooder.

Praised for 're-discovering' the city's Afro-based musical heritage, DJs and live bands keep Bazurto's play-list fresher than most with a healthy mix of Champeta, Terapia, Cumbia and Reggae that attracts a bohemian crowd bored by Cartagena's 'crossover' dominated dance floors.

Partners Fadia de la Rosa and Jorge Escandon, decked the bar out with classic photos of historic figures from Cartagena's illustrious afro-Caribbean history, notably great images of the country's first boxing world champion, Palenque's very own 'Kid Pambele'.

Other artwork includes a Caribbean last supper by Bazurto spray can legend El Curdo and the bar's logo, a palenquera with headphones that captures Bazurto's tongue in cheek approach to decoration.

Meanwhile, the city's finest graffiti artist has decorated most of Cartagena's biggest sound systems. The bar normally moves into full swing about 11pm when live bands playing local sounds ranging from reggaeton to reggae, from cumbia to champeta arrive on stage.

Food is served beforehand and during the day, where seafood specialities and local bar bites comprise a menu designed to ward off the adverse affects of one too many Cuba Libres. We recommend the 'Angry' Fish Salad or the Miraculous Ceviche (Ceviche 1,000 Agroso) to line your stomach in Colombian style.