Alquimico Terraza
Alquimico's rooftop terraza functions as a distinct venue from the bar floors below, with its own cocktail menu, its own atmosphere, and often its own queue. The open-air space sits atop the building on Calle del Colegio, offering views across the jumbled Getsemani rooftops to the illuminated Walled City walls and beyond. The terrace holds about 50 people across low sofas, hanging egg chairs, and bar stools along a railing. Tropical plants, string lights, and a small bar give the space a garden-party feel that contrasts with the speakeasy darkness of the ground floor. The cocktail menu shares Alquimico's commitment to Colombian ingredients and creative combinations, but the terrace-specific drinks tend to be lighter and more refreshing, designed for the heat and the open air. The crowd is well-traveled tourists and upscale Colombians who've either worked their way up from the floors below or entered directly via a separate queue. Weekend nights see substantial waits for the terrace, as the limited capacity fills fast once the sun starts dropping.
Where to stay near Alquimico Terraza
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A tropical rooftop garden with views, creative cocktails, and the same quality that put Alquimico on the world's best bars lists. The atmosphere is breezy, social, and unmistakably Cartagena.
Breezy, tropical, and elevated in every sense. The plants, the lights, and the view create a space that feels curated without being sterile.
Tropical electronic, Caribbean downtempo, and Latin-influenced lounge at moderate volume.
Smart casual. The crowd dresses well but the rooftop is more relaxed than the ground floor speakeasy.
Sunset cocktails, rooftop atmosphere, and experiencing Alquimico's program without the darker ground-floor setting.
Cash and cards accepted.
Price Range
Cocktail 38,000-50,000 COP, beer 15,000-20,000 COP, non-alcoholic cocktails 22,000-28,000 COP
Cocktail ~$9.50-12.50/~8.70-11.50 EUR, beer ~$3.75-5/~3.40-4.60 EUR
Hours
17:00-01:00 daily
Insider Tip
The terraza has its own queue on busy nights; get there before 18:00 for sunset without waiting. The frozen rum drinks are designed for the heat and work perfectly up here. Weeknight visits are easier and nearly as atmospheric.
Full Review
The terraza is where Alquimico's cocktail program meets Cartagena's climate, and the result is something special. The open-air format changes how you experience the drinks. A frozen rum cocktail with passion fruit and lime, served in the breeze with Getsemani's rooftops below, tastes different from the same ingredients in a dark bar. The context matters, and the terraza maximizes it.
The cocktail menu up here is tailored to the setting. Where the ground floor can afford heavier, spirit-forward drinks, the terraza leans toward crushed ice, tropical fruit, and refreshing profiles. The quality remains consistent with Alquimico's overall standard, which is among the best in Colombia. The non-alcoholic cocktails are also worth noting; they're treated with the same seriousness as the boozy options, which is rare.
Capacity is the limiting factor. Fifty seats on a popular rooftop in one of Cartagena's trendiest neighborhoods means competition for space. The sunset window, roughly 5:30 to 7 PM, is the most contested. Arriving before the rush is the only reliable strategy. Once you have a spot, the staff don't rush you, and you can settle in for the evening.
The view is genuinely good. Getsemani's patchwork of rooftops, water tanks, and satellite dishes has an unpolished charm, and the Walled City walls lit up in the distance provide the postcard backdrop. It's not the 51st-floor panorama of 51 Sky Bar, but the closer, more intimate perspective has its own appeal.
The terraza works best as part of a multi-floor Alquimico experience. Start at the ground-floor speakeasy, move to the second floor for a different menu, then finish on the roof. Each level has its own character, and the progression feels intentional rather than arbitrary.
The Neighborhood
Atop the Alquimico building on Calle del Colegio in Getsemani, near the boundary with the Walled City. The surrounding streets have other bars and restaurants that make for easy venue-hopping.
Getting There
Walk from Plaza de la Trinidad in about 3 minutes. The entrance is the same as the main Alquimico entrance on Calle del Colegio. From the Walled City, walk through the Clock Tower and south about 5 minutes.
Other Venues in Getsemani
Café Havana
Legendary live salsa institution and a Cartagena pilgrimage site. Cuban-style son and salsa bands play nightly. Expect a line on weekends and a cover around 20,000 COP.
Demente
Graffiti-covered bar with cheap cocktails and a backpacker-heavy crowd. Good early-evening spot for drinks around Plaza de la Trinidad before heading elsewhere.
El Arsenal: The Rum Box
Rum-focused bar with an extensive Caribbean and Colombian selection. Colonial building interior with knowledgeable bartenders and a pace slower than the nearby clubs.
Beiyu
Asian-fusion cocktail bar bringing a different flavor to Getsemaní's scene. Moody lighting, creative drinks, and a crowd that skews toward late-20s and 30-somethings.
Media Luna Hostel Bar
Open-air hostel bar that doubles as one of Getsemaní's main social hubs. Cheap drinks, rotating DJs, and a reliable starting point for backpackers before a night out.
La Jugada Getsemani
Lively corner bar near Plaza de la Trinidad with reggaeton and champeta on the speakers. Cheap beers and a young crowd that spills onto the sidewalk on weekends.