Chorro de Quevedo Chicherias

The Chorro de Quevedo chicherías cluster around the small plaza of the same name in La Candelaria, the historic centre of Bogotá, Colombia, at Carrera 2 with Calle 13. The square is traditionally regarded as the place where the city was founded, and its colonial surroundings, murals and narrow lanes give the bars a strong sense of place. The bars are small and informal, serving chicha, a traditional fermented corn drink with pre-Hispanic roots, and the crowd is a mix of university students from nearby campuses, local artists, backpackers and curious visitors. Dress is casual, the age range skews young, and the atmosphere is relaxed and communal, often spilling out onto the plaza where street musicians, guitarists and occasional storytellers perform. Music is live and improvised rather than programmed, generally acoustic folk and Latin sounds played on the square. The drinks programme is centred on chicha, priced at roughly COP 5,000 to COP 10,000 per serving, which makes it one of the cheapest nights out in Bogotá. Beer and other simple drinks are also available in some of the small venues, but chicha is the reason to come. Opening follows an evening pattern from Thursday to Saturday, with the small chicha bars opening from about 17:00 and staying busiest as the night goes on. There is no cover charge and no bottle-service or reservation culture; guests simply find a table or stand in the plaza. La Candelaria requires care after dark, as with many historic city centres, so visitors should keep valuables out of sight, stay in the lit and busier streets, and use a registered taxi or app-based ride to leave instead of walking through quiet blocks. Going in a small group and arriving in the early evening, while the plaza is lively, is the most comfortable approach. The area suits travellers wanting a low-cost, culturally rooted introduction to Bogotá's drinking traditions.