Adventure Travel
I Visited Medellín, Colombia, for Four Days to Learn About the LGBTQ+ Scene
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by Tim Cahill
13-07-2024
Adventure Travel
a
by Tim Cahill
13-07-2024
Someone poured aguardiente on me while I danced on a flatbed truck behind the DJ to disco-pop music. (It's a liqueur with an anise flavor that Colombians appear to consume in large quantities.) At Medellín's pride parade, I didn't care that my tank top was already wet from perspiration and rain; I was encircled by a sea of happy people; and I was having an absolutely amazing time.
Medellín's pride parade, which happens every year at the tail end of June, is now competing with Bogotá to be the biggest pride event in Colombia. Following a month of LGBTQ celebrations, this year's parade drew around 90,000 spectators. The historic Parque de las Luces was the last destination for the procession, which began in the early afternoon with a street fair featuring local businesses, health groups, and nonprofits and concluded after dark. Even though it was already beyond daybreak, the celebrations continued all night.
Out in Colombia, the LGBT travel firm that organized my vacation, made sure that my friends and I were able to not only watch the march but also participate in it. On the float that was sponsored by Club Oráculo, one of the largest homosexual clubs in Medellín, we joined DJ Nicolas Machado for a dance party. I went to a number of gay clubs after the march, where I met new people, danced the night away, and ultimately became one of their resident gay legends.
A more affluent section of El Poblado called the Provenza is where I went out partying. Visible police presence, barricades to make streets pedestrian-only, and the zones surrounding the main gay clubs were all put in place to ensure safety. During my whole stay in Medellín, I felt utterly secure in my sexual orientation.
Since the Colombian Peace Accord in 2016, Medellín, known for its culture and as a center for creatives, has witnessed an increase in tourism. Medellín was really the most visited city in Colombia in 2022, surpassing both Bogota and Cartagena. Over my holiday weekend, I participated in a plethora of social and cultural events organized by Out in Colombia. (I chose this travel firm because of their emphasis on ecological and educational tourism, their LGBTQ tour guides, and their tailor-made experiences.) They began crafting itineraries for homosexual visitors in 2016.
My recommendations for LGBTQ-friendly activities and attractions in Medellín are listed below.
Tours, tastings of specialty coffee, and educational sessions are available at Capilla del Rosario, a coffee farm that has been around for 120 years. Over the course of its 45 hectares, the family-run farm grows 25 distinct kinds of Colombian specialty coffee among over 65,000 trees.
A former dump in an industrial area, the Moravia neighborhood has been repurposed into a culture and artistic district since the early 2000s, offering visitors a one-of-a-kind urban experience. One of the longtime residents and community leaders in the area, Gloria, is now 87 years old, and she runs a cultural center that provides tours of street art (for more information, visit MamaChilla Tours). Another option is to take the Barrio Transformation tour, which will teach you about the evolution of the area. It's a fascinating and uplifting area that not many people see.
Plus, due to the city's location in a valley, visiting the mountains provides breathtaking views from beautiful overlooks.
With an outpost in Medellín, Industrias Roboto is a Colombian fashion label that specializes in techno-party wear with a very industrial and futuristic style, perfect for anyone seeking to buy for local labels. In addition, the proprietors run La Panaderia Rusa, a store that sells hoodies and parkas.
As you stroll down the streets of Provenza, you'll see many restaurants that provide al fresco dining under the verdant street trees. Repostería Astor is a classic Colombian pastry shop and café that has multiple locations throughout the city. It's a good choice for quick snacks and coffee.
A regular at brunch, Repeat offers a menu that is as varied and diverse as its patrons. Live DJs spin tunes throughout the afternoons and evenings, adding to the restaurant's versatility as a destination to dine and unwind. The restaurant has a big patio and roomy interiors (complete with a wrap-around bar serving delicious drinks).
Lavocaderia is another fantastic lunch location, and for good reason: avocados are a main ingredient in every dish. Burgers without buns are also available, with the meat patties sandwiched between two enormous avocado halves.
A must-visit for those seeking more upscale eating is the reservation-only Test Kitchen Lab. The alluring drinks and dishes are complemented by ingredients sourced solely from Colombia. An unforgettable and personal eating experience is created when you are able to engage directly with the chef in the open kitchen.
Although Medellín does not have a designated "gay neighborhood," the area known as Provenza boasts more gay bars than any other part of the city, and the safe and friendly atmosphere makes it effortless to partake in the nightlife and bars there.
I spent every night of my trip at Mad Radio, a music lover's club and my favorite spot in the city. An outdoor living area that extends out onto the sidewalk gives the indie club the appearance and atmosphere of someone's house. Outside, a babbling creek adds to the cozy atmosphere.
People go to the bar to dance, and the centerpiece of the establishment is a DJ booth. Even while it isn't a gay-only bar, it is a very queer-friendly establishment; for pride weekend, it even held a pride party with a queer focus, complete with female DJs. Donde Aquellos Bar is one of the most conventional gay pubs in Medellín. It's a wonderful place to relax with friends, have cocktails, and sit on the outdoor terrace. Bar Chiquita, an upper-floor bar and club with a rear area that hosts frequent drag acts, is located just up the street. (Shhh, don't tell anyone, but their lychee martinis are legendary.)
However, the homosexual district of Medellín revolves around Club Oráculo, a huge gay club including three distinct dance floors. One floor features conventional gay pop music and a large stage where elaborate drag acts can be seen. Upstairs, there is a dance floor that plays techno, and yet another floor plays Latin and samba-style music.
The Provenza district is home to many of the top hotels in the city, but I chose to stay at The Click Clack Hotel Medellín. The hotel is part of a Colombian chain that also has a flagship location in Bogotá. Every morning, guests can enjoy breakfast in the plush hotel's expansive outdoor green lobby, surrounded by towering trees and plants.
In addition to two rooftop lounges, guests can choose from three on-site eateries that provide Greek, Thai, and Colombian fare. Náufrago, a rooftop cocktail bar with views of the cityscape in every direction, is the most recent addition. Using liquors and flavors specific to each region of Colombia, they craft mouthwatering cocktails that are sure to please.
Being within walking distance to all the sights and LGBT bars in Provenza, this hotel is ideal for visiting Medellín, since it offers all the necessary services (including a downstairs art gallery) without requiring guests to leave the premises.
