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Cinema in Bogota

Cinemas in Bogota are located mostly in shopping centers, however there are a few independent ones as well. The city has a busy cultural agenda, with a long list of film festivals throughout the year displaying both foreign and local productions. 

Films may be in original language, but it is more common for them to be dubbed in Spanish, so if you prefer the original version make sure you select a screening that mentions that. Ticket prices vary, depending on the cinema hall, the hour, and the day of the week, with week-end screenings costing the most.

The current cinema schedule and a full list of cinemas can be found on Cine.Colombia.Com.
The most important cinemas include:

• Cine Andino
• Multiplex Avenida Chile
• Cine Tonalá
• Cinema Paraíso
• Cinemateca Distrital
• Multiplex Gran Estación

In addition to regular screenings, the city has a plethora of big and small film festivals on a variety of themes, spanning throughout the year. From generic ones to music film festivals, documentary festivals, animation festivals, experimental film festivals, etc, every niche has its special dedicated days.

Some of the most notable events on the cinema scene are:

• Bogocine – The most important cinematographic event in Bogota, it is held yearly since 1984.
• Bogotá International Film Festival – Founded in 2015, it is the newest film festival in the city, with guests from all over the world.
• IndieBo – The city's most important independent film festival, it includes a full agenda of workshops, talks, concerts and special events.
• BogoShorts – Bogota Short film festival, now past its 15th edition.

Nightclubs in Bogota

While other, more "tropical" cities in Colombia are more famous for their crazy nightlife, don't let the capital's cold reputation fool you: Bogota has one of the busiest nightlife scense in Latin America.

A night out starts early in Bogota, and don't be surprised to find nightclubs filling up around 8 p.m and closing at 3 a.m. On week-end nights, bars generally ask for a cover to be paid upon entering, that generally amounts to 5-15 USD. Some include a courtesy drink in the entrance price, though most of them don't. There are also nightclubs that don't require a cover, but drinks are generally more expensive.

The best party areas are scattered throughout the city and each caters to a different audience and taste. While historical La Candelaria has a lively atmosphere due to its large student population, trendy areas further north such as Zona Rosa tend to attract young middle-class professionals and are also popular among foreigners. If you are looking for the ultimate local experience, Galerias is one of the nightlife hotspots that cannot be missed, and if you want to get to know the local salsa scene, you can find specialized salsa bars in various places in Bogota.

There are no special rules when entering a nightclub, however, keep in mind some basic tips:

• While most of the bars don't require a specific dress code, be aware that Colombians like to dress up on a night out, and you may be frowned upon if you show up looking too casual. Know the style of the place you're heading to and dress accordingly.
• Always bring an ID as you will most likely be requested to show it in order to prove you are of legal drinking age.
• Have cash always prepared, as some places may not accept credit cards. 
• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, as theft is quite common in nightclubs, especially at late hours.
• When heading back home, only take authorized taxis. Most nightclubs have a special service dedicated to that. 

Bogota Club Listings

• Armando Records (Calle 85 #14-46) – One of the trendiest bars in the Zona Rosa, it features the best DJs to guarantee some of the best parties in Bogota.
• Quiebra Canto (Cra 5 #17-76) – A well-known salsa bar in the center of the city, it hosts live events and Latin-music nights. 
• Video Club (Calle 64 #13-09) – Hidden in the Chapinero neighbourhood, this is one of the best clubs in the city for electronic, house and techno lovers.
• Galeria Cafe Libro (Cra 11a #93-42) – A live music venue for anything related to son, salsa and Caribbean sounds.
• Hotel V (Calle 84 #13-17) – A chic and upmarket club in the Zona Rosa, with an international vibe and excellent service.
• Theatron (Diagonal 58 #10-18) – One of the largest gay venues in the city, this discotheque boasts a variety of different-themed rooms for every musical taste.
• Salsa Camará (Calle 82 #14-33) – Arguably the best Latin music club in the city, it opens from Thursday to Saturday. Also offers dancing classes for newcomers.
• A Seis Manos (Calle 22 #8-60) – A lively French-run place in the city center, it is popular among foreigners for the countless happy hours and the weekly language exchange meet-ups.
• Black Sheep (Cra 13 #83-75) – A disorderly meeting place for all the black sheep out there.
• El Coq (Calle 84bis #14-02) – Another trendy cocktail bar in the Zona Rosa area.
• Cine Tonalá (Cra 6 #35-37) – An unlikely recommendation for a bar, Cine Tonalá is actually a trendy independent cinema theater hosting some of the steamiest Latin music parties.