La Jugada Getsemani
La Jugada Getsemani is a corner bar near Plaza de la Trinidad that has become a default gathering spot for the neighborhood's younger drinking crowd. The setup is casual: an L-shaped bar counter, a few high tables, and speakers mounted on the walls pushing reggaeton and champeta into the street. The corner location means two open sides face the pedestrian traffic, and on busy nights the crowd spills from the interior onto the sidewalk and into the street. Beer is sold by the bucket at a discount, and aguardiente by the bottle comes with ice and mixers. The cocktail menu is basic and priced low enough that nobody expects much from it. The crowd is a mix of young Cartageneros from the neighborhood and nearby areas, backpackers from the surrounding hostels, and tourists who follow the noise from the plaza. The atmosphere is informal and energetic, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights when the entire Getsemani nightlife zone vibrates with competing sound systems.
Where to stay near La Jugada Getsemani
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A loud corner bar with reggaeton spilling into the street and a young crowd that's there to drink cheap and socialize. The atmosphere is casual, energetic, and unpolished.
Loud, crowded, and street-facing. The energy comes from the neighborhood around it as much as the bar itself.
Reggaeton, champeta, and dancehall. The speakers face outward, so you hear it before you see the bar.
Casual. Shorts, t-shirts, sandals. Nobody's checking.
Budget drinking, pre-club socializing, and anyone who wants the Getsemani street energy at close range.
Cash preferred. Cards accepted but with reluctance.
Price Range
Beer 7,000-10,000 COP, beer bucket (6) 35,000 COP, aguardiente bottle 120,000 COP, cocktail 18,000-25,000 COP
Beer ~$1.75-2.50/~1.60-2.30 EUR, bucket ~$8.75/~8 EUR, cocktail ~$4.50-6.25/~4.10-5.70 EUR
Hours
17:00-02:00 daily, until 03:00 Fri-Sat
Insider Tip
The beer bucket is the best value. Grab a corner table early if you want to sit; standing is the norm after 10 PM. Thursday is an underrated night with a local crowd and lower prices.
Full Review
La Jugada Getsemani is not trying to be anything special, which is exactly why it works. The bar sits on a corner near the plaza, the music is loud, the beer is cold and cheap, and the crowd brings the energy. On a busy Friday night, the boundary between the bar's interior and the street dissolves completely.
The beer bucket deal is the economic argument for starting your night here. Six beers for 35,000 COP means you're drinking for under 6,000 COP per bottle, which is hard to beat at any bar in Getsemani. The aguardiente bottle at 120,000 COP is similarly competitive for groups.
The crowd is genuinely mixed. Young Colombians from the barrio drink alongside hostel backpackers and tourists who wandered over from the plaza. The mix creates a social dynamic that's more interesting than the segregated scenes at more targeted venues. Conversations start easily, partly because the standing-room format puts everyone in close proximity.
The music is loud and unsubtle. Reggaeton and champeta dominate, with the speakers pointed outward toward the street in a way that announces the bar's presence from half a block away. If you're sensitive to volume, this isn't your spot. If you want the full Getsemani street-party experience with a drink in your hand, it is.
The main function of La Jugada is as a warm-up venue. People start here around 9 or 10 PM, work through a bucket of beers, and move to Cafe Havana or one of the clubs around midnight. It's rarely a final destination, but as a starting point, it's reliable and cheap.
The Neighborhood
On a corner near Plaza de la Trinidad in the heart of Getsemani's nightlife zone. Cafe Havana, Demente, and other bars are within a 2-minute walk.
Getting There
Walk from Plaza de la Trinidad in under a minute. From the Walled City, walk through the Clock Tower gate and into Getsemani, about 5 minutes total. Uber from Bocagrande costs 10,000-15,000 COP.
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.
Alquimico Terraza
The open-air rooftop level of Alquimico with its own cocktail menu and views across the Getsemani rooftops. Separate entrance queue on busy nights.