The Best Craft Beer Pubs: Bogota, Quinta Camacho
WhereNext’s Bogotá-based film production studio is in Quinta Camacho, one of the Colombian capital's trendiest neighborhoods and a hotbed for new restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Our Bogotá team members are fervent Quinta Camacho explorers: they have scouted lunch spots, where to drink Colombia's best coffee, and have a comprehensive knowledge of the top craft beer joints. So, we decided to create a neighborhood guide to the favorite spots in our barrio. For this edition of our neighborhood guide, let us introduce you to the best craft beer pubs in Quinta Camacho.
El Mono Bandido
"The Bandit Monkey" is one of Bogota's most beloved craft beer pubs, with five locations open around the city. Their Quinta Camacho location is arguably the cream of the crop; set in a beautiful old two-story house with a wrap-around patio area, it's always buzzing with a young, cool crowd.
Their craft beer menu includes three of their own brews - a Pilsner, Belgian Strong, and Hoppy Red - and guest ales from local breweries, including Master Beer and 3 Cordilleras. At just over 40.000 COP (US$10.50) for a 1700ml jug, it's also good value for money. And for all the non-beer-drinkers, there's an extensive cocktail menu.
And anyone looking to soak up all that beer is in luck. Food options include classic pub fare like tacos, fries (both potato and yucca), cheese sticks, and burgers and sandwiches.
Address: Cra 10A #69-38
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Hanna Hops
It's advisable to get to Hanna Hops early nowadays. This relatively new spot has become extremely popular, and there's often a line out of the front door for a table. Don't let that put you off. All those people are trying to get in for a good reason. Hanna Hops has a relaxed, laid-back ambiance with a beautiful interior patio space full of trees and plants. They also have a comprehensive beer menu featuring a dozen local ales, including their tasty house ale, '940,' a refreshing golden ale with nice citric notes. If you can't choose between all the beers on tap, you can always opt for the well-priced sampler: four different beers, adding up to the same volume as a pint, for 17.000 COP (US$4.30).
The food menu is classic pub grub. Try the sample plate, which consists of mini versions of their burger, chicken sandwich, falafel wrap, and chorizo hot dog: perfect if you're in a group or just a bit indecisive at ordering time.
Address: Calle 69A #9-40
Opening Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Thursday: 4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday: 4:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m. Sunday: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Quinta Cerveceria
The new kid on the block, Quinta only opened its doors at the tail-end of 2021. Located in a converted house on the corner of Carrera 11 and Calle 67, it's also just half a block from the WhereNext office, making it our new go-to beer spot on a Friday night after work. Quinta brews their own beer on-site, and their tanks form part of the industrial style of the pub’s interior. Their house beers include American- and English-style IPAs, a Golden Ale, and a lager, and they also have half a dozen guest ales available. However, watch out for the double IPA; at 7.5%, it's a bit of a hammer blow after a few rounds!
In tune with their name ('Quinta' means 'fifth'), they have a special deal whereby your fifth pint or glass of beer is on the house, so it's a good spot if a long session is on the cards! The food menu is reasonably typical pub fare, but the pizzas are tasty, as is the large sharing platter.
Address: Cra 11 #67-63
Opening Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Thursday: 3:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday: 3:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Closed on Sundays.
The Pub
Billing itself as "the authentic Bogota Irish pub," this small chain of pubs has been a Bogota institution since it opened its doors in 2001 in the Zona T club district. However, in 2020, they stepped up to the plate by opening a microbrewery and creating a range of beers to serve in their nine pubs dotted around the city. Also known as 'El Irish,' The Pub in Quinta Camacho has a lovely terrace, two floors of tables, and even a tiny third-wave coffee shop on-site (COLO Coffee).
Learn more about Quinta Camacho's best cafes in our blog post here.
And the beer? Where previously, The Pub primarily served imported ales, the advent of their microbrewery has - in this writer's opinion - taken them from a standard theme pub to a must-visit spot for beer lovers. The IPA and the Coffee Milk Stout are standouts, but there's also an APA, Witbier, and Golden Ale for those who prefer something a bit lighter. Meanwhile, the Arazá Sour - made with arazá, an Amazonian fruit - is a pleasant surprise for those in search of something fruitier. Plus, a percentage of the profits go to 'Saving the Amazon.'
Address: Cra 10A #70-48
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 12:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Sunday: 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Bogota Beer Company Bodega
Although the explosion of microbreweries in Bogota in recent years has perhaps taken the shine off the Bogota Beer Company, the city's 'original' craft beer pub remains a firm favorite. Their decision to open a bunch of 'bodega' pubs a few years ago has helped keep them relevant. The bodegas are small, hole-in-the-wall type pubs with a minimal menu consisting of beer and a few pub snacks, which keeps the prices lower. BBC beers are the "old familiar" of Bogota craft beers, but you can't go wrong with a pint of their red ale or porter. Quinta Camacho boasts two BBC Bodega locations.
Address: Calle 71 #9-21
Opening Hours: Monday & Tuesday: 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday: 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 2:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Address: Calle 67 #12-62
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Honorable Mention: Cerveceria Gigante
Although it doesn't fall quite within our catchment area, an honorable mention also has to go to the excellent Cerveceria Gigante (Calle 63A #10-46), a brilliant little craft beer spot just four blocks south of Quinta Camacho on Lourdes Square. With an excellent selection of microbrews, great food (don't miss the range of locally-produced chorizos), and regular live music nights, Gigante is another popular spot for our team on a Friday night.