Bogotá's Music and Nightlife Scenes Through the Eyes of a Local Cool Girl

Valerie Mattos

Age?

25

Where do you live?

Bogotá, Colombia

What do you do there?

I'm a Colombian corespondent for Vogue .

What Colombian bands and DJs are you and your friends obsessed with these days?

Monsieur Periné, Fonseca, Chabuco, Esteman. I mostly discovered these artists at clubs, bar or listening to friends' playlists. Lots of them are also friends of friends or people that we know from around [the city].

Monsieur Periné is Latin Jazz while Fonseca is tropical pop [and makes] mostly romantic songs -- but there are a lot of songs you can dance to and sing out loud. In Colombia, couples dance to his music together. Chabuco is jazz -- mostly slow songs to hang around and Esteman is tropical rock. He has a lot of songs to dance to, uptempo mostly.

What is interesting is that all of these bands have Latin rhythms mixed with popular music. Their music puts me in a good mood and creates a positive vibe and atmosphere wherever I am. It [creates] that immediate instinct to stand up and dance or relax to slower songs.

Some of their best songs are are "La Muerte" and "Suin Romanticón" by Monsieur Periné, "Ilusion" and "Hay Amor" by Fonseca, "Cosita Tropical" by Esteman and "Te busco" and "Asi fue mi Querer" by Chabuco.

Where are the cool places to see live music in Bogotá?

There are two places to see cool bands: La Puerta Grande and Armando Records. La Puerta Grande is a bar/restaurant that's a bit alternative/underground. They host DJs and and often book alternative Colombian bands. It's grungy-looking, very laid-back and has a young, hip and attractive crowd. Armando Records is similar but doesn't serve food. The music varies there -- they play a little bit of everything but indie rock dominates, I'd say.

Both are located in the heart of the city, where most things happen; La Puerta Grande is around Park 93 and Armando Records is in the Zona Rosa. Their crowds are very similar -- young artsy/fashion people...a trendy group. They are some of the only places where you can find a nice crowd and good music in Bogotá.

And what about the best nightclubs or regular bars?

[I like] El Coq. El Coq and Armando Records are practically the same but I would say Le Coq is even more alternative and underground than Armando -- it also has a more interesting design and space.

What's a bar or club you'd NEVER go to in Bogotá?