Bogota Neighborhoods–Parque 93 (Park 93)
Posted by: k in Neighborhoods, Restaurants/Cafes/Bars
Parque 93 is an actual park, a square block, in north Bogota that is surrounded on all four sides and for a few blocks around by upscale restaurants and bars and clubs. It’s actually bordered by Calles 93A and 93B and Carreras 11A and 13.
The scene here is upscale and trendy, and is a real mixture of bars and restaurants, so there’s an eating crowd and a drinking and dancing crowd sharing the same space. The park is usually pretty lively, and is the second most popular place to find gringos and embassy folk, next to the Zona Rosa.
Some of the Restaurants in Parque 93
A lot of the restaurants are chains (Colombian chains, mostly) that have a few other locations in the city or in the country. Crepes and Waffles is a national chain of restaurants that is fun, upscale but still very inexpensive, with great food and service. They specialize in crepes and waffles, of course, but also in ice cream desserts, and have a really extensive menu that will please everyone. Great for families too, though Parque 93 is not much of a family scene.
There’s also a Juan Valdez, of course, though that’s fairly recent. Osaki is a Japanese and sushi place with at least one other location I know of. Oma is a coffee shop chain, and their Parque 93 location is massive–partly open air, high ceilings, lots of wood and steel, contemporary design. Usually crowded, it’s the place to meet before or after dinner, though they have a full menu as well.
For gringos missing home, there’s a TGIFridays on the southeast corner of the park. I went there with a friend last year who had worked at Fridays in the US as a college student, so that we could get the same corporate brownie that you will get in Iowa or Michigan. TGIFridays are the only places I know of in Bogota, though, to get potato skins with bacon, cheddar, and sour cream.
A Must to Aviod, Unless you are Good with Colombian Currency
El Coral Gourmet is a hamburger chain, but this location is supposed to be more upscale, 
and I guess it is. Last year it was a favorite happy hour hang out for people I worked with, and it’s good for people watching and ordering snacks and drinks, I suppose. But, I do not EVER remember a time when we did not have a hassle over the bill. Perhaps the gringo tax was in effect, or maybe they just always lacked competence, but we always had to fight to get the bill corrected, which of course meant that normally generous gringos became a little stingy when it came to additional tipping.
The Bar and Club Scene
Two popular places, especially with gringos, are the Bogota Beer Company and the Pub (also both local chains, with other locations). These are kind of beer and burger joints that are genarally packed. There are a fair number of larger dance clubs off the park (none right on the four streets that border it) that seem to come and go, but are always crowded towards the weekends.
The Park Itself
The actual park is a fun hanging-out place too. In Colombia you can get your alcoholic drink to go, so lots of people like to do that and then just hang out in the park, which is generally lit up by some sort of promotional display, like from a beverage company. Lots of times there are activities in the park as well, like fashion shows, art shows, or concerts, that draw a lot of folks. It’s a pretty entertaining scene just for strolling around.
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May 7th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I think I’ve been to that Crepes place (maybe not that specific one), it does ring a bell. I remember it was very popular, you had to queue to get a table.