More Havana

Casa de las Americas
Apart from organising conferences and exhibitions relating to Latin American and Caribbean literature, art and music, this cultural centre also hosts performances in a wide variety of contemporary and traditional musical forms. Concerts usually take place in the early evening on weekdays.

Address: Calle 3ra, esquina a Presidentes (G), Havana Miramar
Open: 8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri; closed Sat, Sun

Casa de la Amistad
This magnificent place should be the British Ambassador's local as his residency is only a couple of doors down on Paseo. Strangely, though, you never see him propping up the bar or staggering home with a carry-out. It's his bad luck, for this converted mansion, with a luscious green garden, hosts great entertainment in the evenings. The food consists of basic snacks, including pizzas and chicken, but to be fair Amistad's real pulling power is its music and happy atmosphere, rather than its grub. Despite the cover charge ($5), this place is highly recommended.
Outside tables.

Address: Paseo #406, entre 17 y 19, Havana Vedado (303114/5)
Open: 11am-midnight Mon-Fri; 11am-2am Sat; 11am-6pm Sun.
Admission 5CUC Tue, Sat only

Bar Colonial 1830
This is the huge and low frequented bar of the Restaurant 1830, ideal for having a cocktail any time of the day. It is quiet and refreshing. We recommend to visit the adjoining Japanese Garden.

Address: Complejo 1830, Havana Miramar

La Cabaña
It`s hard to define the interior design of this bar, but it has a nice terrace overlooking the entrance of the bay. In any case it trasmits the atmosphere of a low-category cafeteria. They should get rid of that.

Address: Cuba esq. Peña Pobre, Habana Vieja (Old Havana)

Café de Paris
Lots of punters, lots of jineteros and lots of live music (11am-11pm)

Address: Calle San Ignacio #202, esquina a Obispo, Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Open: 24 hrs daily

Callejón de Hamel
Every Sunday from 1200-1500, is an unmissable feast of fast, kicking rumba show and electric jam sessions, which draws huge crowds of tourists and the local community. Invited guests, an artistic community feel and a responsive audience make this a hot venue. There is a small bar in the street, selling a strong drink of rum and honey, 2 CUC. Pack lots of sunscreen and water, as they often run out.

Address: Callejon de Hamel. Hamel entre Aramburu y Hospital. La Rumba de Cayo Hueso, Centro Havana

Los Caneyes del Papa
Standard nightclub with a live salsa band at 12.30am on Friday and Saturday nights. It's only worth a visit if you are staying at or close to the Marina.

Address: Marina Hemingway, Calle 248 esquina a 5ta, Barlovento, Havana Miramar / Playa
Open: 10.30pm-4am daily

Bar Las Cañitas
Legendary bar situated in the ground floor of the Havana Libre Hotel, quite forgotten during many years. In 2002 we could observe a sudden but intense revival.

Chill-out style and young ambient with people enjoying musical videos, billiard games and slow dancing. One year later a "bar geográfico" modality has been included, together with very amusing games. Finally in 2004, the organization decided to engage very select salsa and poper bands, to offer disco presentations or Jazz releases for a reduced public, nevertheless maintaining its former style. The success is outstanding.

Adress: Hotel Tryp Habana Libre. Calle 23 y L. La Habana, Havana Vedado

Cafe Cantante Mi Habana
Relatively unknown, but nonetheless good bands play in the café of the National Theatre every night. Weekends are especially recommended. The Café Cantante Mi Habana also offers matinée peso performances (salsa and son music), which are usually filled with Cubans and are fun and lively, if you're in the mood for a late-afternoon dancing sesh. For a more tranquil after-hours venue, check out the upstairs Delirio Habanero bar. Dress code: no shorts.

Start your night in El Delirio, then head down to the basement for the last hour of Café Cantante. The doorman may let you in free of charge at this late hour. Funky crowd of fashionistas and poseurs slink, sashay and jump around to diverse Cuban beats, cranked up well into the early hours. This is a highly regarded venue, popular with local musicians and other cultural notables. Top live bands often play here and there are matinée salsa discos.

Reviews Cafe Cantante at TripAdvisor 

Address: Teatro Nacional, Paseo, esquina a 39, Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Tel: (7) 8790710 / 8796011
Open: 10.30pm-5am Mon; 4-7pm, 10.30pm-5am Tue-Sun

Casarón del Tango
Varied opening hours. Just off the Plaza de Armas, the Tango House is a welcoming place to enjoy shows, take dance classes, meet people and relax. Saturday 2130-2400 headlines passionate performances from Tango all stars Emilio Alvarez, Katy Angel and Jorge Luis del Cabo. Wednesday and Friday1700-1900 feature amateur performances aimed at cultural promotion. Drop in tango classes and courses are run on Thursdays 1600-1700.

Address: Jústiz 21 entre Baratillo y Oficios, Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Tel: 7 8610822.

Casa del Café
It is a little site located in one of the square of Armas street corner. The below part is a specialized café. In the upper part you can taste some of its coffee varieties.

Address: Plaza de Armas esquina a Obispo. Habana Vieja (Old Havana)

Casa de la Cultura de Centro Habana
This very popular venue usually hosts a variety of nightly musical activities. At the time of going to press, it was closed for repairs and due to reopen early in 2001. Call ahead to check out what's on

Hours vary according to schedule of events. Budding talent literally springing up from the ruins of this dilapidated mansion. There is an extensive programme from blasting rock on the first Sunday of the month, from 1500, to sedate peñas campesinos on Saturday evenings from 2100, and the fourth Sunday of the month climax, from 1500, where frenetic rap and hip hop threatens literally to bring the house down.

Address: Avenida Salvador Allende (Carlos III) #720, entre Soledad y Castillejo, Centro Havana
Tel: 7 8784727

Casa de la Cultura de Habana Vieja
This very active casa features live gigs almost every night at around 8pm (6pm on Sunday), many of which are staged in the casa's beautiful old theatre or outside in the church courtyard. Young and old Cubans from the local neighbourhood come here to dance and listen to bolero on Tuesday, a Caribbean night on Wednesday, son on Thursday, Afro-Cuban music or reggae on Saturday and a varied programme on Fridays and Sundays. Phone the casa on Monday for details of the coming week's programme and then take your pick.

This vibrant and welcoming cultural centre in southern La Habana Vieja has a varied programme but its musical peñas are the major draw for locals. Rumba courtesy of Tambor llévame contigo takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of the month 1800-2200. Tuesday 2000-2200 is bolero night, while on the first and third Sunday of the month 1800-2030 the roquero youth crank it up with rap gigs.

Address: Calle Aguiar #509, entre Amargura y Brasil (Teniente Rey) Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Open Tue-Sun (performance times vary); closed Mon

Castillo de Farnes
Located in the colonial area of Havana since 1896, in the middle of a group of quiet squares and narrow streets. Menu restaurant with more than a century of culinary activity. It offers a fast and pleasant service of Spanish food and shellfish-based dishes; desserts such as the fritters, sautés, churros, doughnuts. Sausages sandwiches and Spanish products; flavorful oysters and fresh fish. Songs and dances of the Galician, Andalusian and Catalan tradition. 

Casa del Té
A bar with a long tradition in Havana, located in a well-known place of the city. It has the special Havana touch. Ideal to have a little something at any time of the day.

Address: Calle 23 y G, Havana Vedado

Casa de la Trova de Centro Habana
Live trova music is played here most evenings, but Fridays from 6pm is the time to stop by. This cultural gem is usually crowded with locals and can be highly recommended.
In the heart of the musical Cayo Hueso district, for going local this is a great unpretentious hang-out to hear traditional high-calibre Cuban music among a highly appreciative crowd. Line-up varied, but authentic Cuban feel guaranteed. Slot in the Friday afternoon session from 1800.

Address: Calle San Lázaro #661, entre Padre Varela (Belascoa'n) y Gervasio, Centro Havana
Open: from 5pm daily

Casa de la Musica Miramar Egrem (the "old")
If you're looking for a really good place for live salsa and money is not a factor, then this is the place to come. Situated in a beautiful mansion in Miramar, the Casa de la Música hosts all the well-known groups in the evening, plus less-famous bands playing salsa and traditional music in the afternoons. Food and drinks are served.

One of the top venues to listen to the cream of Havana musical talent. High admission costs for the evening sessions unfortunately rule out the locals and an authentic vibe. Wednesday nights are very popular and often headlines a long and steamy set of danceable salsa tunes delivered by the ebullient and medallion-clad Adalbeto Alvarez y Su Son. NG La Banda with their streetwise earthy lyrics, often play on Friday, drawing an older, tour group crowd. Music kicks off at 2330. Friday admission is 10 CUC -25 CUC depending on who plays. Mojitos 4 CUC . Bargain afternoon matinées are a generally more Cuban affair with locals packed like sardines onto the small dance floor.

Address: Calle 20 esquina 35 Havana Miramar / Playa
Tel: (7) 82040447

Casa de la Música de Galiano (the "new")
Inaugurated during "Cubadisco" in May 2002, this House of music has happily lived up to all the expectations it was laid upon. A real success for the firm Egrem and its second locality in Havana. The restoration has been carried out brilliantly in a place where once the movie theatre "Cine Jigüe" had oppened its doors to many spectators and, even before, the theatre "Teatro Cuba" and "Molino Rojo".

Caserón del Tango
Located in a beautiful colonial mansion just around the corner from the Plaza de Armas in Old Havana, the Caserón del Tango is another of the city's musical treasure chests. Run by the Asociación Nacional Promotora del Tango, the venue aims to preserve and promote this music and dance form in Cuba. A wide range of activities are offered in the mansion's grounds, including informal tango pe-as from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, and a music and dance show starting at 10pm on Saturday. The bar is the venue for discussions and impromptu performances from 9.30pm to 2am on Sunday. Tango classes (which cost CUC5) are held from 4pm to 6pm Thursday and from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday. Even if you can't make it for one of the scheduled events, be sure to stop by for a swift drink and a little tango music in the charming peso bar out the back.

Address: Calle Jústiz #21, entre Baratillo y Oficios, Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Open: 8am-midnight Mon-Sat; 8am-2am Sun.

El Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The roof terrace of the castle is the most peaceful and pleasant place in Havana to sip a cocktail or a beer. The entrance is through the armour museum, which deters most punters, leaving you to enjoy the wonderful view of Casablanca in splendid isolation. Once you've climbed to the top, you'll be rewarded with a first-class view, wrought-iron furniture and a great mojito. It's fully worth the 1CUC admission charge to enjoy this place and a tour of La Giraldilla's statue (tip the waiter).
Outside tables.

Address:

La Cecilia
Open currently closed for renovation. The cabaret area of this tourist complex was closed for renovation at the time of going to press. When it reopens in 2001, La Cecilia is expected to host big-name salsa bands on Thursday to Sunday nights. There will probably be no cover charge, but a 10CUC drinks minimum is likely to be enforced.

Address: Avenida 5ta #11010, entre 110 y 112, Havana Miramar
Tel: (7) 82041562

Centro Andaluz en Cuba
This is one of Havana's many Spanish cultural centres. Dedicated to keeping the city's Andalusian roots alive, the centre offers a show with live flamenco music on Fridays (9pm), Saturdays (10pm) and Sundays (9pm) followed by dancing. There are also flamenco classes from 9am to 11am Tuesday to Thursday at 15CUC per hour.

Address: Paseo de Mart' (Prado) #104, entre Genios y Refugio Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Open: noon-8pm Tue-Thur; noon-midnight Fri-Sun; closed Mon.

Centro Pablo de la Torriente Brau
Between its big variety of cultural activities, this centre has to be mentioned especially because of its musical events, including highlights as the so called conciertos "A guitarra limpia" (only guitar and voice concerts), dedicated to "Novísima Trova". We won´t have enough space to name all those artists that already performed here: Santiago Feliú, Heidi Igualada, Frank Delgado, Gerardo Alfonso, Rita del Prado, Pedro Luis Ferrer, Manuel Argudín, Sara González or Ireno García. During some of the recitals, those who were lucky, could enjoy scene paintings done by Nelson Dominguez, Zaida del Rio, Choco, Alicia Leal and Ernesto Rencaño. What more can we ask for?

Address: Calle Muralla Nº 63 entre Oficios e Inquisidor. Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Tel: (7) 8666585

Chan Chan
Address: In the Marina Hemingway 248 y 5ta Ave Santa Fe, Havana Playa

Chang Disco
Chang's is a privately owned club housed in a first-floor flat in the heart of Barrio Chino (Chinatown), which makes for a rather peculiar but unique ambience. It's popular with both Cubans and foreigners; many people start out here and then move on to nearby Los Tres Chinitos, which stays open until dawn. Watch out for the long queues of heavily made-up girls who wait impatiently at the bottom of Chang's stairway entrance on most Friday and Saturday nights. Women get in for less than men, which might explain it.

Address: Calle San Nicolás #517, entre Dragones y Zanja, Centro Havana
Open: 10.30pm-3am Fri-Sun only

Bar Chico O´Farrill

Opened in november 2002, located inside the Hotel O´Farrill, this bar is there to honor one of the most important figures of latin Jazz: Arturo "Chico" O´Farrill was gathering a lot of fame performing together with other legends such as Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Dizzie Gillespie, Stan Kenton, Machito, Mario Bauzá... He left to us unforgettable interpretations of "La Comparsa", "Almendra" or "Frenesí". Now we can listen to them while enjoying a delicious Rhum Collins. Part of the decoration is a huge photo gallery and an adjoining inner yard offering a refreshing ambience. A fab place!

Address: Hotel O'Farrill. Cuba #102-108 esquina a Chacón. Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Tel: (7) 8605080

Bar del Hotel Chateau Miramar
The bar counts with a good list of drinks and pizzas.It is very well known by the fans of "futbol", who watch most of the international games at their televisions, specially those of the spanish and italian leagues.

Address: Hotel Chateau Miramar. 1era e/ 60 y 62, Havana Miramar

Casa del Coctel
Hidden behind a rickety wooden fence and tall potted plants, this place does bargain cocktails (1CUC each) and should be visited only for that reason. If your stomach rumbles enough, you may be tempted to try the bargain 1.30CUC chicken and chips, but sticking to the booze is more advisable.
Outside tables.

Address: Calle 23, esquina a Presidentes (G) (309375) Havana Vedado
Open: 24hrs daily

Cocktail Blue
Piano-Bar situated in the Meliá Cohiba Hotel; it is one of the most confortable and nicest places to spend a quiet afternoon and night; but visitors are still quite rare, may be because it is on the first floor of the hotel.

Address: Hotel Melia Cohiba. Paseo e/ 1era y 3ra, Havana Vedado

Cocodrilo
Every night, there is here a programm of performances of comedians. After them, people dance till the place is close. It has been a great success from its opening in the beginning of 2001.

Address:
Open:

Columnata Egipciana
Behind this rare and not at all "habanero" name hides a roomy and fresh place which many people like a lot. Singers, and traditional groups of music are animating the atmosphere.

Address: Mercaderes e/ Obispo y Obrapía, La Habana Vieja (old Havana)

Comendador
The reception, the yard and the lecture hall are the three relaxing spaces that this hotel proposes us, for drinking and resting during our visits to the old Havana.

Address: Hotel El Comendador. Obrapía esq. Baratillo, Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Tel: (7)8571037

Bar Conde de Villanueva
It is in the middle-story of the inn. It has a small cigars shop, a tobacco twister who may be seen at his crafting work and a small and quiet bar which, without reaching the category of a salon, it is a very nice place.

Address: Hotel Conde de Villanueva. Mercaderes # 202 e/ Lamparilla y Amargura, Habana Vieja (Old Havana)

Heladería Coppelia
This ice-cream parlour is a very special place in Havana, part of its collective memory. The ice-creams are supreme too.

Address: Calle L esquina a 23. Havana Vedado