When you step into El Poblado during Pride Month, it feels like you’re walking into a Latin version of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen—rainbow flags on balconies, couples holding hands openly, and a nightlife that doesn’t sleep. What once was a conservative city struggling to emerge from its past has blossomed into a rising LGBTQ+ hotspot, quickly earning a reputation as the “Gay Capital of Colombia”—and possibly all of Latin America.
For decades, gay travelers across the Americas looked to cities like Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo for culture, connection, and community. But in recent years, a new city has quietly and confidently entered the scene: Medellín.
With year-round spring weather, Medellín offers more than just a beautiful setting—it offers freedom, acceptance, and a rapidly growing LGBTQ+ community. From vibrant drag shows in Popular Gay Friendly Bars to sunrise circuit party Clubs, it’s no longer a secret: Medellín is where gay Latin America comes to live, love, and celebrate.
If you’re visiting Medellin for the first time or maybe this is your regular trip to Medellin during Pride Month. We found a few places you can go and enjoy your trip and meet other people in your circle. Following are some events and top clubs that are going to be very active during June 2025.
Gay Life in Medellín
While Bogotá has long been Colombia’s political and cultural hub, Medellín has carved out a distinct reputation for its welcoming vibe, stylish bars, and active expat gay scene. The city is particularly popular with gay digital nomads, creatives, and couples who fall in love with both the city and its people.
Popular Neighborhoods for Gay Expats
El Poblado: If you’re a first-timer coming to Medellin, Poblado is typically the best option to explore the Gay scene. As the spotlight of Medellín’s gay nightlife, El Poblado resembles a Latin American Hell’s Kitchen with rainbow flags adorning balconies and open displays of affection. This upscale district houses the city’s highest concentration of LGBTQ+ venues, boutique hotels, and expat-friendly restaurants. During Pride Month, its tree-lined streets transform into celebration central, with Parque Lleras serving as the neighborhood’s epicenter for both tourists and locals.
Laureles: Laureles offers a more authentic, laid-back alternative to El Poblado’s tourist-heavy scene. This residential neighborhood attracts a diverse LGBTQ+ crowd seeking genuine Colombian experiences. Home to popular venues like Purple Club and Ink Bar 33, Laureles provides a perfect balance of local flavor and gay-friendly spaces. Its wide avenues and circular layout create an inclusive atmosphere where gay couples and friends gather in cafés and parks without the tourist markup.
Downtown (La Candelaria): La Candelaria is evolving into a cultural hub for Medellín’s LGBTQ+ community, blending historical significance with progressive attitudes. This downtown district hosts inclusive cafés, alternative performance spaces, and community centers focused on activism and education. While not as commercially gay-centered as other neighborhoods, it represents the grassroots foundation of the city’s gay movement, with murals and cultural spaces celebrating diversity against the backdrop of colonial architecture.
Envigado: Envigado, once a separate municipality now merged with greater Medellín, offers a quieter, family-friendly environment for LGBTQ+ residents. This emerging gay-friendly zone attracts couples and professionals seeking suburban tranquility without sacrificing acceptance. With fewer dedicated gay venues but increasing visibility, Envigado represents the normalization of LGBTQ+ life in everyday Colombian society. Its traditional plazas and modern developments alike welcome diverse families and partnerships.
Popular Gay Bars & Clubs
Beyond the parade, the city buzzes with circuit parties, drag shows, art exhibits, and outdoor festivities. Following are some popular gay bars and clubs located in Medellin
Donde Aquellos Bar, Located in Parque Lleras right off Calle 10, evolved from a simple liquor store in 2000 to become the area’s most inclusive and diverse bar. We pride ourselves on our delicious cocktails, exceptional music, and open-air setting that showcases Medellín’s beautiful nights.
Instagram: @dondeaquellxs
Chiquita, established in 2016, is a gay bar in Medellín designed to enhance the city’s entertainment scene. This unique venue offers a safe, diverse space for friends to gather. Built around a faceless, genderless character with colorful relationships, Chiquita embraces a kitsch style where creativity rules and surprising stories unfold. Now with locations in both Medellín and Bogotá, Chiquita invites everyone to come hang out!
Instagram: @bar_chiquita
Industry Club in Medellín is a top LGBTQ+ nightlife spot located in Barrio Colombia, known for its vibrant atmosphere, two large dance floors, and diverse electronic and urban music. Popular with both locals and tourists, it features energetic DJs, themed rooms, and a lively crowd, making it a key destination for the city’s gay community and allies
Instagram: @industryclubmedellin
Zero by Purple Club, now known as Purple Club, is a prominent gay nightclub in Medellín, located on Av. 33 in the Laureles neighborhood. The club features three distinct areas-Dance Hall (reggaetón/electropop), La Lupe Fonda, and La Terraza-offering a vibrant atmosphere with live DJs, drag shows, and dancers. Open mainly on weekends, it’s celebrated for its energetic parties and inclusive LGBTIQ+ environment, making it a top nightlife destination for the city’s LGBTQ community and visitors alike.
Instagram: @purpleclub_medellin
Gay Pride Communities
Whatsapp Groups
– Pride Zone: https://chat.whatsapp.com/D9vXsS0V1ZU6wvWiZ8WXRk
🏳️🌈 Medellín Pride & Festival Antioquia Vive Diversa
At the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ culture is its Pride celebration. Medellín doesn’t just celebrate Pride for a weekend—it dedicates an entire month to inclusivity, activism, and joy through the Festival Antioquia Vive Diversa, culminating in the Medellín Pride Parade.
Medellín Pride Parade 2025
- 🗓️ Expected Dates: Thursday, June 26 – Monday, June 30, 2025
- 📍 Parade Route: From La Alpujarra along 70th Avenue through San Juan, ending near the Obelisco Shopping Center
- 🕒 Schedule:
- 8:00 AM – Gathering begins
- 2:00 PM – Parade departure
- 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM – Afterparty and performances at the finish line
- 8:00 AM – Gathering begins
Organized by the Alianza Social LGBTI de Antioquia and the Stonewall Corporation, this march draws thousands each year and turns the city into a canvas of rainbow flags, beats, and activism.
Medellín Pride and Festival Antioquia Vive Diversa
Every June, Medellín explodes in color and celebration as it hosts Festival Antioquia Vive Diversa, a month-long LGBTQ+ cultural event culminating in the Medellín Pride Parade. Events include art exhibitions, cultural forums, and legendary nightlife parties that attract visitors from across Colombia and beyond.
Parade and Main Events
- Date: Final weekend of June (Next Edition: June 26–30, 2025)
- Route: From La Alpujarra, through 70th Avenue and San Juan, ending near the Obelisco Shopping Center.
- Time: 8:00 AM gathering, 2:00 PM departure, festivities continue until 11:00 PM.
- Afterparties: Head to El Poblado’s bars and clubs for themed nights, drag shows, and all-night dancing.
Organized by Alianza Social LGBTI de Antioquia and the Stonewall Corporation, the parade is a joyful, defiant, and vibrant display of Medellín’s LGBTQ+ pride.
Love Pride Medellin 2025 DJ Event in Medellin
Love Pride Medellín 2025 is a vibrant LGBTQ+ festival held from June 27 to 30 in Medellín’s lively El Poblado district. Featuring international and national DJs, energetic parties, and the city’s Pride Parade, it celebrates love, diversity, and inclusion. The event includes daytime and nighttime circuit parties, culminating in the massive After Parade Main Party at Industry Club. Drawing locals and visitors alike, Love Pride Medellín offers a welcoming, festive atmosphere with music, dance, and community spirit, making it one of Colombia’s top Pride celebrations.
Instagram: @lovepridemedellin
✈️ Planning Your Trip to Medellín for Pride
Tips for Travelers:
- Book early: Pride month is a high season for LGBTQ+ travel
- Stay in El Poblado or Laureles to be close to events
- Use the Metro during parade day, as traffic is limited along the route
- Check local event pages like Medellin.co, Whatsapp Groups or follow clubs like Industry and Bar Chiquita on Instagram for up-to-date schedules
- If you have any questions about your trip our feel free to contact us.
Same-Sex Marriage and Visas in Colombia
If you fall in love with the city, and decide to stay longer in Medellin. You’ll be happy to hear that Medellin has legalized Gay Marriage. Below is the information. If you have questions about obtaining a visa for Colombia. Feel free to contact us and we’ll be more than happy to help you.
Since 2016, Colombia has legally recognized same-sex marriage, positioning itself as one of the most progressive countries in Latin America for LGBTQIA+ rights. This ruling by the Constitutional Court ensures that same-sex couples enjoy the same legal protections and immigration benefits as heterosexual couples. For gay couples—especially binational ones—this opens the door to not only getting married but also establishing a life together in Colombia with legal stability.
After legally marrying in Colombia, a foreign partner can apply for a Marriage (M) Visa, which is valid for up to three years and permits residency, work, and travel within the country. This visa can later lead to permanent residency or even citizenship. Medellín, in particular, has become a popular destination for LGBTQIA+ couples due to its lower cost of living, friendly communities, and growing expat population. Neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are known for their inclusive vibe, making them ideal areas for couples looking to settle down..
