Melassa
Melassa is a salsa-on-vinyl spot at Carrera 11B #24-59, Barrio Obrero. It has more than a thousand LPs, turntables, records and memorabilia for sale, and cold beer. Open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 p.m.
- Hours
- Monday to Thursday 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday until 9:30 p.m.; Saturday until 10:00 p.m.; closed Sunday (checked on 2026-10-13).
- Price
- Free entry; records, memorabilia and drinks cost extra
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 0 to 2 hours
- Address
- Carrera 11B #24-59, on the corner, Barrio Obrero, Cali
It was set up by Julián Salsa, a music lover who sold CDs in downtown Cali for years. The name blends melanina (melanin), salsa and sabor (flavor). It's on a corner that was going to be a mechanic's shop and is now a stop on Barrio Obrero's Ruta de la Salsa.
Inside there's a room with shelves of LPs, old sound systems and walls with posters of Niche, Rubén Blades and Héctor Lavoe. You can listen to salsa on vinyl, buy records, salsa T-shirts and bags, and have a beer or a lulada. They also run tours of the neighborhood.
It stayed active after the August 10, 2026 earthquake: on August 30 it hosted a group of dancers on a tour, and in September it posted its program on Instagram.
What to see
- The salsa LP collection.
- The turntables and vintage sound equipment.
- The wall of posters of orchestras and soneros.
Getting there
- Taxi or ride-hailing app to Carrera 11B and Calle 24, in Barrio Obrero.
- It's next to the Museo de la Salsa in Barrio Obrero and about three blocks from La Matraca.
Tips
- Go during the day and combine it with La Matraca and the Museo de la Salsa on the same route.
- If you're looking for a specific record, ask on WhatsApp before you go.
- Get around the neighborhood by taxi or ride-hailing app.
FAQ
Do they sell records?
Yes, they sell salsa LPs and memorabilia like T-shirts and bags.
Is there an entry fee?
We found no entry fee; you pay for what you buy or order.
Is it still open after the earthquake?
Yes. In August and September 2026 it welcomed visitors and posted its program.
