San Felipe neighborhood

Nine years ago, an architect set up shop in this neighborhood with a vision: to turn it into a bustling art district. Today, it is an essential stop for anyone who wants to soak up the city’s art scene and discover the hidden wonders of San Felipe.

One of the biggest artistic phenomenon that the city has witnessed over the last few years, has undoubtedly been the transformation of San Felipe. It all started with architect and collector Alejandro Castaño, who was seduced by the architectural fusion of the neighborhood, which combines the characteristic English style seen in the city’s oldest areas with the rugged industrial charm of the large-windowed warehouses. Here he saw the potential to create an art district capable of rivalling New York’s Soho or Miami’s Wynwood, an idea which has attracted more than 20 galleries, including Galería Beta, Galería Doce Cero Cero, SGR Galería and Espacio KB.
Sandwiched between Calles 72 and 80, and running from Avenida Caracas to Carrera 24, San Felipe has been reborn as the hub for artists, curators, collectors, students and art lovers. It bustles with galleries, restaurants, bars and cafés and boasts an atmosphere of pure creativity and poise.
Noche San Felipe
For six nights a year the area is taken over by Noche San Felipe, a free event which sees galleries and workshops open their doors to the public from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Get closer to the art scene and then end your night enjoying Afro-Colombian, electronic and Latin sounds at Ghetto Bar.
Open San Felipe
Artists taking part in this event open up their studios four times a year to share their creative processes with visitors. The whole neighborhood gets together and offers transport, guides and maps, making this the perfect opportunity to enjoy music in the local parks, film projections, performances, theater and other cultural expressions.
Restaurants
Dotted amongst the galleries and workshops are a variety of novel culinary offerings, including Oculto and gourmet BBQ joint Chichería Demente, which serves up souped-up versions of Colombian classics to share, including plantain empanadas, crab dumplings and corn on the cob.