Centro vs Upscale:
Pick Your Adventure
The eternal question. Do you pay premium for polish, or save your pesos and embrace the chaos? This is the comparison guide nobody else will write—because it requires admitting both options exist.
Centro
Budget Adventure
Upscale
Premium Experience
Price Comparison: The Math That Matters
Let's cut the euphemisms. Here's what you're actually spending in each world. The difference isn't subtle—it's a 3-5x multiplier depending on how deep you go.
| Item | Centro | Upscale |
|---|---|---|
| Cover charge | Free–15k | 20–50k |
| Beer | 4–13k | 15–30k |
| Lady drink | 17–25k | 40–80k |
| Private dance | 50k | 100–200k |
| VIP room (30 min) | 50–80k | 150–300k |
| Typical night total | $25–60 | $100–300 |
The Centro Reality
At Conejitas, beer costs 4,000 pesos. That's one dollar. One. At New Life Casa, the entire experience runs $20-25. You could have four complete Centro adventures for the price of one VIP room at La Isla.
The Real Question: Is a 10/10 experience worth 5x a 7/10 experience? That's personal. Some people want the mansion on the hill. Some people want four Tuesday nights at San Diego Show. Both are valid. Only your wallet gets to judge.
The Girls: What Your Money Actually Buys
This is where the gap is widest. Not gonna sugarcoat it—the upscale venues have a massive advantage here. But "massive advantage" doesn't mean Centro is without merit. It means different expectations.
Centro Venues
San Diego Show
Variety over curation
Conejitas
Local charm
Barra Ejecutiva
Hit or miss nights
New Life Casa
Volume over selection
Upscale Venues
La Isla
"Forgot my own name" stunning
Loutron
Model-tier lineup
Fase II
Hustlers who deliver
Anfitrión
Glass floor showcase
The Centro Philosophy
"The women here work in shifts like it's a normal job. Because it is. They clock in, they do their thing, they go home." Centro doesn't pretend to be a fantasy factory. It's transactional, efficient, honest about what it is. The 6-7 rating reflects reality, not rejection—you'll find attractive women, just not the curated runway show of the upscale venues.
The Upscale Philosophy
"They rotate through in waves, sixty, eighty, maybe a hundred on peak nights. It's overwhelming in the way that being handed too many menus at a restaurant is overwhelming. Except the menus are beautiful and they're all looking at you." The 8-10 ratings aren't hype—the upscale venues curate aggressively. You're paying for that curation.
Safety: The Non-Negotiable Factor
This is where Centro takes a hit. Not inside the venues—inside is usually fine. It's the neighborhood, the streets, the 2 AM exit strategy. This matters.
| Venue | Safety | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|
| La Isla | 9/10 | Your own decision-making |
| Loutron | 9/10 | Gated mansion in the hills |
| Anfitrión | 8/10 | La 33 is well-patrolled |
| Fase II | 8/10 | Keep phone in front pocket |
| San Diego Show | 7/10 | Near metro, manageable |
| Conejitas | 5/10 | La Candelaria after midnight |
| Barra Ejecutiva | 5/10 | Variable billing, sketchy exits |
| New Life Casa | 4/10 | Centro location, daytime only |
The Centro Safety Reality
"La Candelaria after midnight is still La Candelaria after midnight." The venues themselves run security. The problem is everything outside the door.
- • Metro stops running before the clubs close
- • Uber gets sketchy in Centro late-night
- • Don't wander the surrounding blocks
- • Handle your business, get your ride, go home
The Upscale Safety Reality
"The worst thing that happens to you at La Isla is your own decision-making. Which, honestly, is refreshing. A strip club where the only danger is yourself." Big guys in black shirts, well-lit parking, Ubers everywhere. The premium isn't just for girls—it's for peace of mind.
The Vibe: What Kind of Night Are You Having?
This is where personal preference actually matters. Some people want the VIP fantasy. Some people want the authentic chaos. Neither is wrong.
The Centro Vibe
San Diego Show: "The strip club equivalent of ordering a chicken Caesar salad. You know exactly what you're getting, you're not mad about it, and you'll probably do it again next week."
Conejitas: "You're drinking with locals who've been coming here since before Escobar was a Netflix show." No gringo tax because there aren't enough gringos to tax.
New Life Casa: "The transaction has the efficiency of a fast-food restaurant, minus the judgment about your life choices."
"It's honest in a way that Poblado clubs can never be."
The Upscale Vibe
La Isla: "Warehouse big. Central stage. Satellite stages. VIP sections that glow like they're radioactive. Someone spent actual money on the lighting."
Loutron: "Marble floors. Mountain views. Soft music. A woman in business casual greets you like you're checking into the Four Seasons. You are not checking into the Four Seasons."
Anfitrión: "It's like someone took a strip club and an aquarium and said 'what if we combined these, but make it sexy?' The answer, apparently, is Anfitrión."
"You'll spend too much. You'll remember too little. You'll tell the story like it was the best night of your life."
The Crowd Difference
Centro Crowd:
Taxi drivers between fares. Backpackers who did the math. Locals who value a deal. Men who don't need Google Translate to order.
Upscale Crowd:
Bachelor parties from Texas. Solo travelers from Germany. Local businessmen pretending they're not local businessmen. A United Nations of questionable decisions.
The Verdict: When to Go Where
There's no universal answer. But there are clear use cases.
Go Centro When...
- $You're on a budget and want maximum nights out per dollar spent
- $You speak enough Spanish to navigate local establishments
- $You've been to Medellín before and want to see the "real" scene
- $You value authenticity over polish and can handle yourself
- $It's daytime and you want the $20 efficiency of New Life Casa
Best Centro pick: San Diego Show for safest bet,Conejitas for authentic local experience
Go Upscale When...
- $$$It's your first time in Medellín and you want a safe introduction
- $$$You're with a group (bachelor party, friends trip)
- $$$You want the fantasy experience without stress
- $$$Safety and predictability are worth the premium
- $$$You want 10/10 talent and don't mind paying for it
The Final Word
Centro is the 1998 Honda Civic. Upscale is the Tesla. Both get you where you're going. One costs 5x more and makes you feel fancier. The other has been doing its job reliably for decades without needing to impress anyone.
The right choice depends on your budget, your risk tolerance, your Spanish level, and honestly—what kind of story you want to tell afterward. "I found this authentic local spot in Centro" and "I balled out at La Isla" are both valid Medellín stories.
Budget kings know the Centro addresses. Premium seekers know the La 33 names. Now you know both.
Ready to Pick Your Lane?
Check out the full venue reviews for detailed breakdowns of each spot.