[shotgun]

I went to Bogota for two weeks, very recently, for work. My impression is that Bogota nightlife sucks. Girls are always going out in mixed groups, and you have to be a good salsa/merengue/reggaeton dancer to get with them. For a Brazilian guy like me it was very hard to adjust.

Some very cute and hot girls around, though. Day game and online game seems to be the way to go there (in all of Colombia, actually, according to Roosh's book).

If you're only focused on night game, don't waste your time in Colombia.

[thegmanifesto]

(11-27-2013 11:36 AM)scotian Wrote:  

(11-27-2013 11:17 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

Scotian, is Andres Carne de Res and Salto del Angel still open?

I am sure Andres Carne de Res still is.

Thinking about that place makes me hungry.

I"m not sure if Salto del Angel is or not as I didn't go to Parque 93 at all, but ya I hit up Andres Carne de Res for a few drinks on Friday, I mentioned it above.

Saw that.

Should have stayed till the place goes crazy.

I remember when I first walked in, and I thought "what am I doing here?"

But the food is amazing, and it turns into a very impressive nightclub.

You have stayed to when it turns into a nightclub right?

[portofmanteau]

About Andrés DC: The dance floor isn't bad, but the overall vibe seriously feels like walking into "Chili's". I think we stayed til 1-2 or so, showed up at around midnight. There were lots of birthday parties and such there, people were pretty friendly, talent wasn't great but not terrible either, and the music had its ups and downs - they played a lot of american style top 40 while we were there, mixed with champeta, voleros, salsa, etc. It's worth going for sure as long as you check your expectations at the door (and don't mind paying US prices for food/drinks) you'll have a good time.

Haven't really found a club here I thought was great - La Villa has been pretty nice especially considering that it gets full on weeknights late, I really liked a small bar called Mi Tierrita, people say good things about Quiebra Canto but the night I was going to go it was a lesbian funk-carioca band. Some other salsa spots are Pachanga y Pochola, Galeria Café Libro - unfortunately most clubs in Bogota are really just Thursday-Saturday, and there have been art openings/house parties which I've gone to instead. Hoping to make up for it in Cali.

[Volk]

Andres Carne de Res is not gonna be as good as you think nowadays.Two weeks ago some bitch cried wolf saying she got raped (by a foreigner, no less). Police found out she was lying and besides getting off with a slap on the wrist, it hurt the place's reputation already. Also, the news about the alleged rape were more widespread than the news about the lie.

[thegmanifesto]

(11-30-2013 11:12 PM)portofmanteau Wrote:  

About Andrés DC: The dance floor isn't bad

You left too early and blew it.

I can tell since you mentioned a "dance floor".

The entire place turns into 6 floors of non-stop dancing and mayhem.

[portofmanteau]

(12-01-2013 05:44 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

You left too early and blew it.

I can tell since you mentioned a "dance floor".

The entire place turns into 6 floors of non-stop dancing and mayhem.

There's a dance floor on the first floor. People dance around their tables on the other floors but it has a families-at-TGI Fridays feel; the actual dance floor was more fun. The place closes at 3, whatever was going to happen that night, that was it - could have been an off night, but all the rolas I talked to confirmed that that was it. The Chia one stays open all night.

Also - I hadn't realized this before going, but it's not 5 floors or whatever of different dance floors, it's one big restaurant with a single sound system, so the same music plays throughout the whole place (unlike bar theatron).

[thegmanifesto]

Yeah, sounds like you went and off night and left to early before the party started.

Sounds like you didn't eat there or see any of the performance art.

Can't win them all.

Also, I went when it first opened.

[Tully Mars]

I live here so let me try to clear this up....The key to Andres DC is to go during one of there big party's like Halloween or Carnaval.... there are not many party's that compare. This past years halloween theme was hedonism/paganism....over 2000 people in attendance....hired actors/actress running all over the restraunt/club half naked messing with patrons, repelling from the roof....climbing on the bar, and swing from the rafters (literally) and never getting out of charachter!....plus more hot Colombianas than you know what to do with.....the key is to get there early, get a table, get a good meal and enjoy the fun....your gonna drop a little cash but it's nothing like what your gonna drop in Miami or Vegas for Halloween....my friends from Miami that were there could not believe the party/action....and for a fraction of the price.

If you go to Andres during a regular night, it is filled with corporate events (out of town business/tourist gringos) birthday/bachorelette parties, and wealthier Colombians. I typically would not go to Andres DC during the weekend as there are way better clubs/bars to hit.....If you do go, I would recommend posting up at the back wine bar order a bottle and some appetizers.....

I prefer Andres DC over Andres Chia.....but most of my colombian friends are the opposite they prefer Chia....the problem is its 45min to an hour outside of the city....and you basically just have to make a night of it....where as in Andres DC if its slow or not on your level, you can bounce out the door and your in the middle of zona rosa....surrounded by tons of nightlife....hope this helps!

[thegmanifesto]

(12-02-2013 07:55 AM)Tully Mars Wrote:  

I typically would not go to Andres DC during the weekend as there are way better clubs/bars to hit.....

Name them.

[TheAirUpThere]

(01-02-2012 08:04 PM)scotian Wrote:  

Basically here's what I plan on doing there:
-Learning conversational Spanish: for the same reasons anyone else would, plus it could be useful for future career opportunities.
-Learning salsa: I'm going to find a class or private teacher to teach me
-Having a good cultural experience: I have a genuine interest in Latin American and Colombian history, culture, food, art, etc. I want to be fully immersed in this culture, as much as possible.
-Last but not least, the women...

Big thanks to you Scotian!

Your reports have been invaluable and I could not be more grateful that you took the time to share your thoughts/experiences w/ all of us. Not only are your pointers saving me many headaches, the commentary you provide on your personal experience from the initial culture shock and all the other stuff is hugely comforting somehow.

I essentially have thee exact same goals as you did, but my trip is an abbreviated one as compared to yours - although I do hope to come back for a month sometime b/w June-August.

I landed here in Bogota earlier today and will be staying in Chapinero for the most part.

I'm gonna do as Roosh suggested and arrange an intensive Spanish course for 2 weeks - hopefully to start Monday.

Otherwise, if anyone wants to grab drinks shoot me a PM.

I'll be at GT tomorrow for the language exchange earlier in the day and go from there.

PS
I know I singled out Scotian in this post, but from Tully to Linux to Atlantic and all the other guys that are too many to mention; you guys all have been huuuge! I feel privileged to stand on your shoulders and maximize my time here.

I'll make sure to comb through that master thread and add value for other guys coming up.

To those of you that contributed meaningfully, drinks are on me! Thanks Bros.

[scotian]

Show up early 6-7 to GTs to do the language exchange and secure a good spot in the bar, collect some numbers for later dates before it gets crowded with sloppy back packers and hookers. Watch out for scopolamine too, I’ve heard that GTs is a hotspot for that these days.

[Tully Mars]

Keep in mind Bogota is still at half speed. So maybe a good time for you to buckle down into a spanish course, or if your more into partying change plans for the coast. I tell people thinking of coming here over the winter holidays from USA or Europe to realize this is "verano" break for most Colombians (schools & Univ are closed) and they hit the coast with family. In Dec the feriras in Cali, Manizales and Pasto get busy. Also most transplants from other towns working or studying in Bogota will tend to go back to their respective home cities/towns or post up in hot country fincas with family and friends.

Bogota usually does not get back to full speed until last week in Jan, first week in Feb. I think most universitys don't reopen for another 2 weeks or so here. Just realize most bars and clubs will be slow or half full (still not bad) but nothing like a normal wknd. Most of us vets love it here, no traffic and the better weather that comes in Dec/Jan.

[tomtud]

To piggyback on what Tully says regarding the schools and breaks happening now actually happens twice a year. Not in exact proportions. You have 2 school calendars. Calendar A and B. One follows the north American school year and the other a South American school year.

Read Scotians posts on scopolamine. This will hopefully help you stay safer.

One thing to realize in Bogota for me are the taxis that refuse to drive you where you need to go. If you need to go somewhere and have no choice they will ask for a premium. Cock suckers. I haven't used uber yet but look into other options.

The weather can change fast. One moment it's mild and the next you need a jacket.

Good luck in GT. Enjoy your trip.