An Insider’s Guide to LGBTQ+ Bogotá

Colombia is at the global vanguard of LGBTQ+ rights. “Although Colombian society could be considered conservative in general, quite incredibly the country has very liberal laws,” explains Juan. “In Colombia the straight and LGBTIQ+ communities have equal rights, including with respect to marriage and adoption. The process of updating names and gender on government IDs is also fast, affordable, and straightforward for trans people.”

Bogotá’s LGBTQ+ neighborhoods

Bogotá is well-known within Latin America for its LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods and there are two in particular that Juan would recommend to travelers looking for lodging: Chapinero Norte and Chapinero Alto. “They’re areas close to the gay district and they also have really good hotels and lots of accommodation options.”

They’re also good options if you want to avoid the dreaded Bogotá traffic, because as Juan points out: “If you’re planning several activities in one day across the city, it’s worth taking into consideration travel time of at least an hour.”

Where to learn about Bogotá’s LGBTQ+ history

If your interest in Bogotá’s queer culture goes beyond the clubs, saunas, and bars, don’t skip the Museo LGBTI. This homage to the Stonewall Inn—the New York City bar that’s known as the birthplace of Pride—features artifacts and exhibits related to queer global and Colombian culture, history, and art.

Juan also recommends getting to know local activist institutions such as the Fundación Colombia Diversa, the Corporación Red Somos, and the artistic collective Barrio Rojo, as well as the Ciclo Rosa film festival.

The best places to get a drink and meet others

According to Juan, one thing that sets Bogotá’s LGBTQ+ scene apart is that there’s truly something for everyone. “The evolution [of Bogotá’s queer scene] has been very positive. From the small and practically clandestine bars of the 80s, to the more diverse alternatives in the 90s, to the bigger and bolder bars of the 00s, right up to the globally-recognized spots of today, such as Theatron and Dark Club.”

So whether you’re into bars, restaurants, or nightclubs, there’s no shortage of places to grab a drink in this city—and Juan covers plenty on his tour. “Chapinero Central is the zone where the majority of LGBTIQ+ entertainment establishments are located. There, I’d recommend the following clubs and bars: Theatron, Octava Club, Videoclub, Brokeback Mountain, Leos Bar, and El Perro y la Calandria. (I’d suggest the latter to Spanish-speakers because it only plays Spanish-language music.)”

He also recommends hiring a local guide if you want to find the best saunas or cruising clubs in Bogotá. “These places don’t have signs or rainbow flags outside. They’re extremely discrete and hard to find without help.”

Must-visit LGBTQ+-owned institutions

“The majority of LGBTIQ+-oriented businesses are part of the community. The most well-known are the El Muro restaurant, the megaclub Theatron, and the bar El Perro y la Calandria.”

And if you want to visit? Be sure to spend at least one weekend in Bogotá, as that’s the only time some of these establishments (most notably the megaclubs) throw open their doors to visitors.

A brief history of Bogotá Pride

Bogotá Pride began on June 28, 1982, when the first march (consisting of fewer than 50 people) took place. Since then—and particularly post-1991 when the country’s constitution made clear that all people are born free and equal before the law—Pride in Bogotá has gone from strength to strength. (In fact, the history of Bogotá Pride is just one thing Juan addresses on his Cruise Bogotá Gay District tour.)

“[Now,] it’s a weekend that welcomes visitors from across the country, so the range of events on offer is enormous. All the bars, saunas, and nightclubs organize their own special event,” according to Juan. “The event that I like the most is the end of the march, in Plaza de Bolívar, where there are typically presentations by artistic collectives and concerts.”

The importance of Pride

The importance of Pride, for Juan, is all about freedom of expression—however that manifests itself. “[Pride is] a multicolored event that visibilizes the multitude of ways in which we express ourselves within the LGBTIQ+ community [and] it’s very important because it offers a space for these diverse forms of expression to exist in their fullness.”

All quotes from Juan Benítez have been translated from Spanish to English by Lauren Cocking.