Patrick
Cali’s river boulevard is one of my favorite places in the city. From being completely deserted after a lengthy renovation, it is slowly becoming the new place to hang out in the late afternoon. Several little restaurants and bars have opened and especially on Fridays after work, the place gets packed with people from the mayor’s office across the river, people from the financial district, punkers, rockers, dancers and skaters – all enjoying a few drinks and the refreshing breeze from the Pacific coast that blesses Cali around 5 PM every day.
The newest addition to the scene is Kumbé, a cool rooftop bar, restaurant and night club that attracts a young and beautiful crowd.
We arrived late (11 PM-ish) and paid $15.000 COP cover to get in which was returned to us in the form of drink vouchers. And while we didn’t get to try the food, it did look delicious, presented like street food. Finger grub.
The drink menu was creative and more affordable than drinking in the fancy establishments in El Peñon and Granada.
I loved the decoration. It was far from fancy, but cozy, fun and creative. Home-made furniture, and lot’s of posters from La Linterna.
When we arrived, my great friend and local DJ Shato was playing. Service was good although we had to wait a bit for the cocktails due to high demand.
At 1 AM the rooftop closed and the party moved down to the dance floor below where several different DJs took turns pleasing the crowd of dancing Caleños with a mix of house, salsa, electronica, and everything in between.
Kumbé is one the new hotspots in town. I love rooftops for the views and also for the ability to enjoy the open sky and pleasant evening climate that few places other than Cali has to offer. If you love rooftops as well, then make sure to check it out.
Other rooftops in Cali include La Pergola Clandestina also located in the Centro and La Terraza Bar in San Bosco (don’t walk here at night – always go in taxi).
Please note that while Kumbé overlooks the boulevard, the door to access the place is located on the street behind the boulevard, Carrera 3.
Kumbé
Carrera 3 # 6-19 (click on link to see the map)
Centro
Cali – Colombia
Opening hours:
Wed 4-11 PM
Thu-Fri-Sat 5 PM to 4 AM
Sun 4-11 PM
