Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia

Why does the lore around Alquímico remind me of the way people talk about Opium in Barcelona? Meaning, this cocktail bar is one of the most talked about spots in all of Cartagena. You cannot escape this recommendation if you're traveling to Colombia.

Perhaps this chatter is the result of Alquímico having a few shiny trophies. In 2024, this spot was deemed "The World's Best Bar" by The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. It also slid into spot 11 on the World's Best 50 Bars list, beating out Manhattan spots like Sip & Guzzle and Overstory, which are all anyone in New York could talk about last year.

So is the hype deserved? I'm not sure how you differentiate between the 1st best bar in the world versus the 17th best bar in the world. And I couldn't tell you who this "Tales of a Cocktail Foundation" is. But what I can tell you is that Alquímico is excellent and yes, I think you should go.

A major preface: You've lost your mind if you're thinking about eating here. This place is a cocktail bar. I can't imagine that the wait staff even know what is on the food menu, let alone know where the forks are. Go somewhere else for food. Come here for drinks.

Alquímico opens at 6pm and is one of those spots that only gets more crowded as the night goes on. It's walk-in only and they do have a dress code, which generally just outlaws shorts and flip flops. Overall, this gives Alquímico a bit of club feel, especially if you're arriving past 11pm. Inside, each floor of this three-story bar has it's own drink menu and vibe.

On floor one, you're going to find velvet couches and neon red lights. The two-story bar holds glassy bottles, almost making it look like scientist's beakers lined up, ready for potion-making. The cocktails on the first floor are inspired by fruits and herbs, creating a menu that reads a bit like a spice cabinet. You might try a tumeric-gin bev or a basil-rum drink. Honorably, Alquímico partners with Asocoman, a local farmer's association, and donates a portion of the proceeds of these cocktails back to the org for community efforts.

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Take the stairs to floor two, and the seating becomes more sparse, although there are a few cocktail tables scattered about. Floor two is arranged to be like a balcony that is peering over the open-air bar on the level below. The drinks on floor two are Alquímico's take on the classics: palomas, negronis, or mojitos with Colombian rum.

Listen: Floor one and two are great. But honestly, skip 'em. Go straight to the roof on floor three. I don't know how they nailed it, but Alquímico's rooftop is what every other rooftop bar wants to be. The glittery disco ball, swaying palm leaves, and colorful lights making you feel a little like magic is in the air. I'm not sure how these neon lights, bubble guns, flower wall, and loud DJ feel cool, fresh, and energetic when usually this formula comes across as tired, expected, and like something from a bad rooftop bar at an airport Marriott. But there's some mysterious element in the air that makes the roof at Alquímico feel authentic and lively and cool, like maybe they were the original rooftop bar that everyone else has been trying to replicate all along.

The drinks on floor three are creative and juicy. I accidentally had half of a drink that wasn't my own, and I can squarely say I have never had Johnnie Walker and liked it, except here. The "Calendula" cocktail mixed Johnnie with plantains and tangerines which resulted in a fresh and punchy taste, so much so that I voluntarily ordered a second after we swapped to get our correct drinks.

The music on the third floor was definitely loud, especially when the DJ played anything from local legend Ms. Shakira herself. But the vibes and energy were there, and each cocktail was interesting and fresh (and by the way, only $12 USD. Maybe I should have led with that).

I left Alquímico thinking: Maybe I'm not too old to enjoy the clerb.