La Soledad: garage cafés and underground rock
If you're fed up with the Zona Rosa and its endless lines to get into a place that looks like all the others, La Soledad will be a perfect fit. This neighborhood, tucked between Carrera 7 and Avenida Caracas, north of La Candelaria, has a vibe you won't find in any mainstream travel guide. Here, cafés are set up in old garages, vinyls spin on borrowed turntables, and underground rock breathes on every corner. In July 2026, La Soledad remains that corner where art students, record collectors, and digital nomads find their refuge.
The neighborhood owes its name to the Virgin of La Soledad, but its spirit is anything but lonely. Since the 1970s, this area was a magnet for artists, musicians, and bohemians looking for a place away from the noise of downtown but without going to the city's extremes. Republican-style houses and mechanic workshops turned into cultural spaces, and garages became living rooms for the community. Today, walking down Calle 39 or Carrera 13 means stumbling upon murals, old bookstores, and the sound of an electric guitar coming from a half-open door.
What to do
Here you won't find shopping malls or massive attractions. The charm of La Soledad lies in getting lost and finding unexpected things. What you absolutely must do:
- Visit the garage cafés: they are the soul of the neighborhood. Small, unpretentious places where the owner serves you coffee while a 70s record plays.
- Hunt for vinyls: there are hidden stores with catalogs ranging from Colombian progressive rock to 80s English punk.
- Go to an underground concert: bars like El Rincón del Jazz or El Garage del Sonido have local bands almost every weekend.
- Walk along Calle 39: it's the main axis, full of murals, art workshops, and the occasional vintage clothing store.
- Visit the Parroquia de la Soledad: a neo-Gothic style church dating from 1940, at Carrera 13 with Calle 36. It's not touristy, but worth it for the architecture.
A curious fact: on the corner of Carrera 12 and Calle 38, there's a mural by local artist "Mono" González that no one knows exactly when it was painted, but neighbors swear it's been there since the 90s. It's a tribute to the street musicians who played in the area.
Where to eat or drink
Garage cafés
These are the places that define the neighborhood. Don't expect marble tables or baristas in fancy aprons. Here, coffee is served in earthenware mugs and the music is chosen by the owner.
- Café El Garage: at Carrera 11 # 39-12. Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. It's a literal garage, with a decorative old motorcycle and a turntable. American coffee costs $4,000 COP and beef empanadas, $2,500 COP each. The owner, Don Carlos, collects rock en español records and always plays something by Soda Stereo or Los Prisioneros.
- La Tostadora de la 38: at Calle 38 # 12-45. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm. They have Colombian origin coffee (prices from $5,000 COP) and a display case of homemade desserts. The space is a garage shared with a bicycle workshop, so sometimes the smell of grease mixes with the coffee. Don't be alarmed, it's part of the charm.
- Rincón del Vinilo: at Carrera 12 # 37-20. Open Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 9pm. More than a café, it's a meeting point. They have a record collection you can listen to while having a cappuccino ($6,000 COP). Saturdays at 4pm they hold guided listening sessions of classic albums.
- El Garage del Sonido: at Calle 40 # 13-08. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 4pm to 11pm. This place is half café, half bar. By day they serve coffee and by night, craft beer (from $8,000 COP per bottle). They have a small stage where local alternative rock bands play on Fridays.
- Café de la Esquina: at Carrera 13 with Calle 39. Open Monday to Saturday, 7am to 6pm. It's the most traditional, with tables on the sidewalk. Black coffee costs $2,500 COP and panela water with lemon, $3,000 COP. It's not a garage, but it's on a key corner to observe the neighborhood's movement.
Underground bars with local bands
Nightlife in La Soledad is not about nightclubs or neon lights. Here, bars are intimate, with capacity for 30 or 40 people, and live music is the star.
- El Rincón del Jazz: at Carrera 11B # 38-50. Open Thursday to Sunday, 6pm to 1am. Entry costs $10,000 COP on weekends and includes the first beer. They play jazz fusion and instrumental rock bands. The space is an adapted garage with plastic chairs and a wooden stage.
- La Cueva del Rock: at Calle 37 # 12-30. Open Friday to Sunday, 7pm to 2am. It's a basement (literally, you go down some stairs) with capacity for 40 people. They play underground rock, punk, and metal bands. Beer costs $6,000 COP. There's no cocktail menu, just beer and aguardiente.
- Bar La Soledad: at Carrera 12 # 39-15. Open Thursday to Saturday, 5pm to 12am. They have a terrace on the second floor and a stage on the ground floor. Bands play from 8pm, and the cover is voluntary (but it's appreciated to leave $5,000 COP). They serve empanadas and house craft beer.
How to get there and transportation
La Soledad is well connected, but don't expect a direct TransMilenio. The best way is to use public transport or walk.
- By TransMilenio: the nearest station is "Calle 45" (route G or H) or "Marly" (route M). From there, walk 10-15 minutes south along Carrera 13. You can also get off at "Avenida 39" (route F), but it's further away.
- By bus or SITP: routes that pass through Carrera 13 or Calle 39 are 192, 291, and 359. Ask the driver to let you know when you reach "La Soledad".
- By taxi or Uber: from downtown it costs about $15,000 COP, from Chapinero about $12,000 COP. Tell the driver to drop you off at "Calle 39 con Carrera 13".
- Walking: if you're in La Candelaria, it's a 20-30 minute walk north along Carrera 7. It's safe during the day, but at night it's better to take a taxi.
A tip: the neighborhood isn't huge, so it's best to walk once you're there. The streets are quiet, but watch out for broken sidewalks on some blocks, especially on Carrera 11B.
Local tips
Things only a local would tell you so you don't mess up:
- Bring cash: many garage cafés and vinyl stores don't have card machines. At La Tostadora de la 38 and El Garage del Sonido they accept cards, but elsewhere, better have small bills.
- Don't come on Mondays: most garage cafés and bars are closed on Mondays. If you arrive that day, you'll find empty streets and few options.
- Respect vinyl store hours: record stores don't open early. They are normally open from 11am to 7pm. Don't show up at 9am expecting to buy an LP.
- The noise is part of the charm: underground bars have poor soundproofing. If you go to La Cueva del Rock, don't expect perfect acoustics. The fun is in the energy of the crowd and the band.
- Ask about the murals: the neighbors know the story behind each painting on the walls. If you see someone sitting at their door, say hello and ask. They'll tell you things that aren't on the internet.
- Watch out for cars: the streets are narrow and drivers sometimes go fast. Look carefully before crossing, especially on Carrera 13 which is busier.
Where to buy vinyls
If you're a collector or just want to take home a physical souvenir of Bogotá, these stores are unmissable.
- Discos de la Soledad: at Carrera 12 # 38-22. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm. The owner, a man named Roberto, has a catalog of over 500 records, with an emphasis on Colombian rock from the 70s and 80s. You can find rarities like the first LP by Genesis or records by local bands like Los Yetis. Prices range from $20,000 COP to $100,000 COP depending on condition.
- Vinilos & Garage: at Calle 39 # 12-50. Open Thursday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm. It's a small space, but with a curated selection of alternative rock, punk, and new wave. They have imported records from $30,000 COP. The owner, a young man named Andrés, also sells turntable accessories.
- El Rincón del Sonido: at Carrera 11 # 39-30. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 2pm to 8pm. This store is inside a garage shared with an electronics workshop. They have jazz, blues, and classic rock records. Prices are more affordable, from $15,000 COP, but condition varies. It's worth checking carefully before buying.
Cultural spaces
Besides the cafés and bars, La Soledad has places where culture is in the air.
- La Casa de la Cultura de La Soledad: at Carrera 11B # 38-10. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. They offer guitar, painting, and theater workshops. Entry is free. Sometimes they organize classical music concerts or local art exhibitions.
- El Taller del Mural: at Calle 38 # 12-60. It's an open space where local artists paint collaborative murals. You can stop by to see the process or even participate if you ask permission. It has no fixed hours, but there's usually activity on Saturday afternoons.
- La Librería de la Esquina: at Carrera 13 # 39-05. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm. It's an old bookstore that also sells fanzines, comics, and used records. A good place to find underground material.
CTA: Download the PDF map with the exact hours of each garage café, vinyl store, and underground bar. It includes contact information and route recommendations. Click the link below to get it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to walk at night in La Soledad?
In general, main streets like Calle 39 and Carrera 13 are safe until 10pm, especially if there's people moving around the bars. Side streets (Carrera 11B, Calle 37) are quieter, but it's better not to walk alone after 11pm. Take a taxi or Uber if you stay late at a bar.
Do garage cafés have wifi?
Some do, others don't. Café El Garage and La Tostadora de la 38 have free wifi, but the signal isn't the best. Rincón del Vinilo purposely has no wifi: they want people to talk and listen to music. If you need to work, better look for a more traditional café in the area.
Can I pay with card at vinyl stores?
At Discos de la Soledad and Vinilos & Garage they accept credit or debit cards, but at El Rincón del Sonido it's cash only. Ask before buying if you have doubts. Prices are a reference from July 2026, so check before paying.
Is there parking in the neighborhood?
Yes, but it's limited. There are public parking lots at Carrera 12 with Calle 38 and at Calle 39 with Carrera 13. They cost around $5,000 COP per hour. The streets are narrow, so it's not easy to park on the street. Better to come by public transport.
What local bands can I hear in the bars?
It varies each week, but the most frequent are alternative rock bands like Los Días de la Semana, punk bands like Ruido Subterráneo, and jazz fusion bands like La Banda del Garage. Bars post their schedules on social media, so check them out.
