Havana has some of the best nightlife in the world, thanks to the natural rhythm of the Cuban people, who often dance the entire night away. Lively shows, upbeat music, and great cocktails are just a few of the things you can find in Havana’s clubs and bars. Read on to discover some of Havana’s best spots for drinks, live music, and of course, dancing.
La Zorra Y El Cuervo
What looks like a red phone booth on the pavement is actually the entrance to a cosy jazz club, La Zorra Y El Cuervo. If you’re a jazz lover, you will enjoy listening to the top-notch local jazz musicians who play here every night. This club feels very intimate, with low ceilings in a small basement space. You can’t miss the blue walls, framed photographs, and old instruments dotted throughout the room. Because this club is so small, it fills up very quickly. People usually start lining up outside at least an hour before the show, so you will definitely want to get here early. While all of the drinks at La Zorra Y El Cuervo are delicious, the mojitos, in particular, are a crowd-pleaser.
Tropicana
El Tropicana Night Club, located on a lush, six-acre estate, has been around since 1939. Since its opening, this club has been the leading cabaret in Cuba. With palm trees and greenery around the property and theatre, this open-air nightclub has a tropical atmosphere. Tropicana’s outdoor theatre can seat approximately 1,400 guests, while 200 performers light up the stage with music and dance that reflects the rich culture of Cuba. Although this cabaret serves food and drink, the real highlight is the performance. Exquisite costumes, elaborate choreography, and vibrant music are sure to keep you entertained all night.
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club, a legendary Cuban musical group with two Grammys, puts on a nightly live performance and dinner. The price of the ticket includes a VIP shuttle service, two cocktails, and a traditional Cuban meal. This dinner typically has a menu consisting of fish, meat, rice, rice pudding, and other delicacies. As you take in the show and cuisine, it will feel as though you have transported back to 1950s Cuba. After an evening at the Buena Vista Social Club, you are sure to feel revived by the energy of these Cuban musicians.
El Floridita
More than 200 years ago, El Floridita opened under the name of Piña de Plata, which changed in 1914 to today’s El Floridita. This bar rose to fame thanks to Ernest Hemingway, who was a regular customer of the venue. His fondness for El Floridita might have been caused by their impeccable drinks, as the bar is known for serving the best daiquiri in town. Tourists flock to this bar for their world-renowned daiquiris, made with rum, lime juice, sugar, maraschino liquor, and crushed ice. You are guaranteed to enjoy El Floridita’s fun and lively atmosphere, along with the live music almost every night.
El Turquino
Located in the Hotel Habana Libre, El Turquino is situated all the way up on the 26th floor. A retractable roof, fantastic city views, and energising music are just a few highlights of El Turquino. The venue has an upscale club environment, serving a variety of different cocktails. Each night, the performing band creates an ideal environment for dancing after the main event of the evening — a show-stopping cabaret performance.
Jazz Café
Jazz Café is located on the top floor of a new shopping centre near Melia Cohiba Hotel. Here, you can listen to some of the best jazz musicians in Cuba while relaxing in the mellow and laid back atmosphere. A spacious and open interior design concept makes this bar ideal for socialising in between songs. The floor-to-ceiling windows, along with a simplistic furniture design, give this jazz club a sophisticated vibe. Jazz Café is known for ramping up the air conditioning, so bring a jacket to stay warm!
El Gato Tuerto
Before 1959, El Gato Tuerto was one of the only two bars in Cuba to be open 24/7. Because the owner would occasionally perform trumpet solos to guests, the venue started attracting other local musicians. The work of many renowned Cuban artists has graced the walls of El Gato Tuerto throughout its history. Today, El Gato Tuerto puts on a live music show every evening at 10 pm. The bustling restaurant on the second floor serves classic Cuban cuisine while showcasing lovely ocean views. Great food, views, and music mean that El Gato Tuerto is one of Havana’s must-visit spots.
Habana Café
Connected to the Melia Cohiba Hotel, Habana Café provides live music and excellent service within a setting with a 1950s-chic atmosphere. Popular with tourists, Habana Café serves fantastic hamburgers, making this an ideal place for dinner before the show. Besides burgers, you can also dine on classic Cuban staples and great cocktails as you enjoy listening to the live local bands. Lit up with twinkling lights and palm trees, the patio provides a charming, quiet atmosphere. Inside, you will see an old Chevy, a Pontiac, and a Buick adding to the vintage vibe.
Casa De La Musica
Casa De La Musica is the perfect spot to experience live Cuban salsa music. This live music joint has two locations: the Galiano venue in central Havana and Miramar. Shortly after the Galiano venue opened in 2003, it earned its reputation as one of Havana’s best salsa venues. The Miramar location is slightly more upscale, with more seating at the bar for socialising. The cover charge at these venues tends to be more expensive when well-known bands are playing, but the energy on the dance floor is well worth the extra cost.
Final Thoughts
With buzzing bars, cabaret shows, and top-notch jazz, the nightlife in Havana, Cuba, is like no other. Whether you want to enjoy a cocktail, take in some live music, or spend the entire night on the dance floor, Havana has what you are looking for.
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