Etro Rooftop, on the 16th floor of Binn Hotel in El Poblado, doesn’t really have one “right” time to visit. It has several, and each one changes the experience completely. Arriving at noon is nothing like arriving at seven in the evening, and that’s nothing like showing up on a Thursday after ten. Before booking, it’s worth understanding how the rhythm of the place shifts across the week.
The official schedule, day by day
Etro is open every day of the week, though not with the same closing time:
- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight
- Holidays: 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.
That difference isn’t random. Weekends carry most of the music programming and the after-office crowd, so the bar stays open two extra hours. On weekdays, the pace is different: slower, better suited to long lunches or a drink before heading downstairs to dinner at La Makha, the hotel’s restaurant on the first floor.
Midday: the best time if you want it quiet
Few people think of a rooftop as a lunch plan, and that’s exactly why this slot stays the least crowded. At this hour, light pours straight through the floor-to-ceiling windows and the Aburrá Valley shows up with a sharpness that’s harder to find later, once the afternoon haze rolls in. It’s also the ideal window for anyone visiting with kids or the whole family, or for work meetings that need quiet in the background.
Sunset: the slot everyone asks for
Between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., depending on the season, the sun starts dropping behind the mountains of eastern Antioquia. This is, without question, the most requested time to book, and also the hardest to land without planning ahead. If your priority is the view over the music or the social scene, this is your slot.
Thursday and Friday nights: the afterwork pulse
Starting around 6:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday shift the whole energy of the place. The after-office crowd rolls in straight from work, the bar picks up pace, and signature cocktails like the Esfumado ($38,000 COP), the Silencio ($38,000 COP), or the Niebla ($60,000 COP), made with Ojo de Tigre mezcal from 8-year-old espadín agave, get ordered one after another. If socializing is the plan, this is the time block to aim for.
Saturday night: the fullest experience
Saturday is when Etro brings out its full offer: live DJ sessions, the complete classic cocktail menu (Negroni, Old Fashioned, Paloma, all priced between $45,000 and $60,000 COP), and the heaviest reservation traffic of the week. If you want the complete rooftop experience, music and atmosphere included, this is the slot. It’s also the one that demands booking furthest ahead.
Etro Rooftop and La Makha: combining both hours in a single visit
Many people don’t realize that Etro Rooftop and La Makha, Binn Hotel’s restaurant, function as a single ecosystem, even though they sit on different floors. That opens up a possibility few visitors take advantage of: going up to the 16th floor first for sunset, then heading down for dinner afterward, or doing it the other way around.
If the plan is an anniversary dinner or a date, the most recommended sequence is: arrive at Etro between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. for sunset, stay an hour with a couple of cocktails, then head down to La Makha around 7:30 p.m. for dinner. This avoids peak congestion at both spots and leaves enough time to enjoy the view without rushing. On Thursdays and Fridays, though, many visitors do the reverse: an early dinner at La Makha between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m., then heading up to Etro once the bar has hit its liveliest point.
Weather and season also shape the ideal time
Medellín has a relatively stable climate throughout the year, but it isn’t uniform. The rainiest months tend to concentrate their downpours in the afternoon hours, while mornings and midday stay clear more often. That means during rainy season, booking the midday slot can be a safer bet than gambling on sunset, though the bar does have covered areas that let you enjoy the experience even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
In the drier months, on the other hand, sunset tends to deliver almost every day, and that’s when it’s especially worth booking that specific window in advance.
How to book based on the time you choose
Once you know which slot you’re after, the next step is locking it in. For the highest-demand times (sunset and Thursday through Saturday nights), it’s best to book at least two or three days ahead, and up to a week out for a large group or a special occasion like a birthday or a farewell party. For weekday midday, booking far in advance usually isn’t necessary, though it’s always worth confirming availability, especially if the group is larger than six people.
How to pick your time based on what you’re after
- Photos with good light: midday, or right before sunset.
- A quiet dinner as a couple: Sunday through Wednesday, after 7:00 p.m.
- Sunset views without the crowds: the same golden hour, on a weekday.
- A social atmosphere with music: Thursday or Friday night.
- The full rooftop experience: Saturday, booked several days ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Is Etro Rooftop open every day?
Yes. It’s open all seven days of the week, with extended hours until midnight on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
What’s the best time to catch the sunset?
Between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., though it’s worth confirming the exact time since it shifts slightly throughout the year.
Do I need to book in advance?
For the sunset slot and for weekends, yes. As explained in the piece on what makes Etro the best rooftop in the city, demand for a table with a view usually outpaces availability on weekends.
Is Etro open on holidays?
Yes, with the same hours as Sunday through Wednesday: 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.
What’s the best time to visit with kids?
Weekday midday is the quietest slot and the best fit for families.
Can I combine a rooftop visit with dinner at La Makha?
Yes. The two spaces work well together, and staff can help coordinate a sunset drink at Etro followed by dinner downstairs, or the reverse, depending on which slot you book first.
If you want to dig deeper into the sunset window specifically, it’s worth reading about the best light at sunset from the 16th floor, since not every month of the year offers the same clarity.
Picking the right time is, in large part, choosing what kind of experience you want at Etro, and once you know what that is, the rest of the visit tends to fall into place naturally.
Book your table at Etro Rooftop and lock in the slot that fits your plan best.
