The night after work: the real 'after office' in Bogotá (Chicó, Zona Rosa and Usaquén) and how not to break the bank

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The "after office" in Bogotá is not about partying until dawn. It's that plan that starts between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., when you leave the office in the north and crave a cold beer, something to snack on and being home before midnight. The key here: happy hour is king, terraces close early and transportation keeps running without complications.

The three areas that concentrate this plan are Chicó (Calle 93 and surroundings), the Zona Rosa (Calle 82 to Calle 85, between Carrera 11 and Carrera 15) and Usaquén (Carrera 6 with Calle 117 upwards). In this Malokal guide you'll find updated prices; use the interactive cards for each place on malokal.com to check the safe map by neighborhood (Locals vs. Foreigners), live holiday schedules and book directly via WhatsApp.

Real reference budget for October 2026: an after office night (two drinks, one appetizer to share and transportation back) costs you between $60,000 and $120,000 COP per person. Less if you stick to breweries; more if you switch to signature cocktails.

Chicó and Zona Rosa circuit

Calle 93 is the classic executive after office corridor. Between Carrera 11 and Carrera 13 there are terraces that open at 4 or 5 p.m. and offer two-for-one on beer or cocktails until 8 p.m. The vibe is suit and tie half loosened, music at conversational volume and waiters who already know the regulars.

Bogotá Beer Company Zona Rosa (Calle 85)

BBC is the safest option when you don't want to think too much. House beer, a sharing platter and a space that works equally well for a team meeting or a Friday plan. The Calle 85 location has good foot traffic from 6 p.m. and usually has happy hour promotions on weekdays. It's a no-frills place, ideal for large groups where everyone pays their own way.

El Mono Bandido Cervecería

Here the plan is different: craft beer, burgers and a napkin dynamic that turns into a spectacle. The staff organizes activities that engage the whole table, so it's not a place for a quiet business conversation, but for disconnecting with friends. The Classic Burger and the IPAs are the most ordered. If you go in a group, book in advance because it fills up fast on Thursdays and Fridays.

Cervecería Gigante

This is the hidden gem of the circuit. It's in Chapinero, on Carrera 14a with Calle 83, and it's the typical place where the after office stretches without you realizing it. It opens from 1 p.m. and on weekends closes late, so it works both for the early plan and for the one that drags on. The beer is house-produced and prices are noticeably lower than in Zona Rosa. Local vibe, no tourists, no dress code.

Usaquén circuit

Usaquén changes the chip completely. Instead of chain terraces, you have colonial houses turned into restaurants, a plaza with artisan vendors and a calmer pace. On weekdays, the after office here is for locals: office workers from the Autopista Norte who get off before reaching home.

Abasto Usaquén

Abasto is a food market inside the historic center of Usaquén, with several food stalls under one roof. The advantage for after office is that everyone orders what they want, from arepas to signature cuisine, and shares a table. The atmosphere is relaxed, with soft music and good lighting. It's perfect for groups where not everyone eats the same thing or where someone doesn't drink alcohol.

Around the plaza of Usaquén there are also small wine and cocktail bars that open around 5 p.m. It's recommended to check schedules before visiting, because many close on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Updated costs

Reference prices for October 2026 in northern Bogotá:

• Domestic beer at a bar: $8,000 – $14,000 COP
• Craft beer: $15,000 – $25,000 COP
• Signature cocktail: $28,000 – $45,000 COP
• Two-for-one happy hour: applies to beer and some cocktails, usually until 8 p.m.
• Sharing platter for two: $45,000 – $70,000 COP
• Burger with fries: $30,000 – $45,000 COP
• Taxi or app from the north to downtown: $18,000 – $35,000 COP depending on time and traffic

A standard night of two rounds of beer plus one appetizer to share leaves you around $50,000 COP per head. If you add round-trip transportation, budget $80,000 COP. Prices are subject to change; check directly at each establishment.

Estimated times

The Bogotá after office has a fairly predictable clock:

• 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.: arrival, happy hour active, tables available without reservation.
• 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.: peak hour. Bars fill up, the music goes up and getting a table without a reservation gets complicated.
• 9:00 – 11:00 p.m.: transition. Some go home, others stay for the second round. This is where the after office turns into a longer plan if you're not careful.
• After 11:00 p.m.: it's something else entirely. Most office terraces close and you enter the territory of nightclubs and late-night bars.

To get home: between 6 and 9 p.m. traffic in the north is heavy, so a trip from Zona Rosa to Chapinero can take 25 minutes. After 10 p.m. it drops to 10 or 15 minutes.

Practical tips

• Book when you're more than four. On Thursdays and Fridays, the bars on Calle 93 and Zona Rosa fill up from 6:30 p.m.
• Ask about happy hour before sitting down. Not everyone advertises it on the menu and some only apply at the bar, not at the table.
• Use Uber or Didi. Both work well in the north. Rappi and Didi Food are the active delivery platforms if you prefer to order to the office.
• Street taxi: in Zona Rosa and Chicó there are taxi lines on Carrera 11 and Calle 85. Verify that the meter is on and share your location with someone.
• Nighttime SITP: some trunk routes operate until close to 11 p.m., but frequency drops a lot after 9. For after office, the SITP is not the most practical option if you're going to drink. Check the TransMiSITP app for live schedules.
• Eat something before the second beer. Sharing platters come out cheaper than ordering individual dishes and prevent the night from getting out of hand.
• Dress in layers. The terraces in the north get quite cool after 8 p.m., even in the dry season.
• If you go to Usaquén, go early. The historic center shuts down earlier than Zona Rosa. A plan from 6 to 9 p.m. works perfectly; after 10 there's little open on weekdays.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between after office and rumba in Bogotá?

The after office starts when you leave the office, between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., and ends before midnight. The rumba starts after 10 p.m. and extends until dawn. The after office concentrates on happy hours, terraces and breweries in the north; the rumba moves toward nightclubs and areas like Chapinero or deep Zona Rosa.

How much does an after office night cost in northern Bogotá?

With two drinks, one appetizer to share and transportation back, budget between $60,000 and $120,000 COP per person at reference prices for October 2026. At breweries like Cervecería Gigante you can spend less; on signature cocktails in Zona Rosa, more.

How do I get home after the after office without relying on apps?

Uber and Didi work well in the north. Taxis in Zona Rosa and Chicó are available, so you can opt for a street taxi. Make sure the meter is on and share your location with someone for added safety.