It has five floors. It fits more than 2,000 people. And it just happens to be the largest LGBTQ nightclub in the Western Hemisphere — or perhaps the world, by some calculations. Even if you’re not LGBTQ, this is a must-see part of the nightlife in Bogota, Colombia. This is Theatrón.
This sprawling nightclub has continued to grow since first opening its doors in 2002 in Bogota’s Chapinero district, a neighborhood known for its plethora of gay bars and nightlife. But Theatrón is the biggest and most legendary, attracting locals and foreigners alike — including a large percentage of heterosexuals who are attracted by the impressively diverse venues located under one roof. If you have even the slightest interest in dancing the night away and you’re going to visit Bogota, Theatron should be on your itinerary, regardless of your sexual orientation.
Weekends are really the only time to visit (unless there’s a special event), and Saturday is generally the only time when all of the venues are open. We paid 55,000 Colombian pesos (less than $15) on a Saturday night to get in (get there early if you want to avoid the long lines, which often snake in and out of a neighboring parking garage). If you pay with a credit card, you can skip the longer line for those paying with cash. The cover charge includes a limited open bar, which includes a small selection of booze (including rum and vodka) and mixers (including soda and juice). You’re free to pay for anything else you like, including beer — which is what we did.
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There’s a reason why some people call Theatrón a gay Disney World. This is something like an after-dark, indoor/outdoor theme park for adults, with so many different venues that you’ll need time to explore and immerse yourself in each one. Each section has its own unique decor, theme and musical style, so it’s really like gaining access to several different nightclubs for one price. We sipped beers in a small bar with a pool table that played retro rock and New Wave music in English, then slipped into a dazzling little section where old-fashioned disco was the preferred playlist. Nearby, we danced salsa and merengue in a tropical-themed venue, while downstairs, reggaetón kept patrons grinding on a large dance floor in a section that was fashioned to look like a church.
There’s a women-only section that we couldn’t enter on the main floor, while on the roof, there’s a partially open-air bar and dance area called Lotus which is exclusively for men and features pop and dance music in Spanish and English. A stylishly small venue called Metro featured music exclusively by female divas, and had the furniture to match, with chairs that sported the faces of Cher, Madonna and Britney Spears, to name a few (who wouldn’t love to sip a cocktail while relaxing in a Cher chair?).
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That evening, my favorite music tended to be the industrial and house beats that flowed from another rooftop area, which looks almost like Disney’s Main Street USA. Fake facades serve as “storefronts” for several of the other themed club areas, and there’s even a food vendor, so you can refuel whenever you like. There are also two clothing shops at Theatrón, although they focus mostly on revealing wear for club boys, and not much else.
The overall design of Theatrón is indeed impressive. In addition to its sheer size and diversity, it’s efficiently managed, with a huge staff of security, bartenders and maintenance people who do everything from make sure spilled drinks are cleaned up immediately to indicating which side of the stairs patrons should follow. When you’re dealing with nightlife of a scale this large, it’s a bit like a combination between a theme park, an all-inclusive resort and a dance club, all rolled into one. When you’re in a place like Theatrón, the time flies and it’s difficult to get bored, even if all you’re doing is people watching. No other destination can offer this kind of South America vacation experience — and this is just one reason why Bogota is becoming a gay vacation and gay travel hotspot.