Alquimico
Bar · Cartagena ·
Inventive cocktails, seafood, meat plates, and Colombian classics
Inventive cocktails, seafood, meat plates, and Colombian classics
"In Cartagena’s old walled city, this farm-to-glass cocktail bar is described as a cocktail temple and ranked ninth on the 2023 World’s 50 Best Bars list. Although the article does not go into detail about specific drinks, it emphasizes Alquímico’s commitment to sourcing ingredients from farms and serving them in a vibrant colonial setting, aligning with the city’s broader African-influenced food culture of patacones fried in front-room kitchens." - Stephanie Rafanelli
"A high-energy, multi-level bar consistently ranked among the world’s top bars, featuring high ceilings and three themed floors with theatrical flair bartending, loud music, inventive cocktails, and small tropical bites. The venue is best for a party night rather than a quiet dinner; it does not take reservations and opens at 6 p.m., so arrive early to secure a spot or be prepared to wait in line." - Ksenia Prints
"The best bar in South America went to Alquimico in Cartagena (number 9)."
"Recognized as the Best International Bar Team, ALQUÍMICO in Cartagena, Colombia received top honors for its team efforts." - Clair Lorell
"Set inside an ornate old mansion in Cartagena’s Old Town with two indoor levels and a rooftop, I found my night at Alquímico to be one of the best bar experiences I’ve ever had — it was recently named the tenth best bar in the world and has been called the best bar in South America by the World's 50 Best Bars. Art Deco details, a grand double-sided staircase, a second-floor balcony, and vintage crown moldings create an immediate sense of grandiosity, while each floor offers its own menu and vibe. On Floor 1 — La Mansión — I sipped the cerebral Té Caribeño, a tart, earthy, subtly sweet mix of Tanqueray Rangpur gin, Maraschino liqueur, a green tea infusion, dehydrated coconut, Peruvian groundcherries, and lime, and noted that spirits are often infused with flavors like corn, green tea, or even cheese. Floor 2 — El Balcón — focuses on reimagined classics; I tried a clear Espresso Martini spiced with cardamom and cocoa, and enjoyed the Ayu (House Highball) with coca cordial and orange blossom and the Tomoji (House Mojito) with lemongrass and sage. The rooftop Terraza screams “fun,” where I danced under the night sky to reggaeton and drank tiki-inspired, not-too-sweet cocktails like the Mandarino — gin with Alquímico’s own mandarin-lemon liqueur, pineapple extract, lime juice, and bee pollen — perfect for the hot Cartagena air. Most drinks rely on fruits, herbs, and other organic ingredients drawn from Colombia’s biodiversity; co-owner Jean Trinh even bought a farm in the coffee region in 2019 to supply produce to the bar and used it to house and feed staff during the pandemic, which added an extra layer of meaning to the cocktails." - Merlyn Miller