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Havana is filled with bars and clubs for dancing, or just listening, and every night of the week you're guaranteed to find something of interest. The best way to approach the plethora of live music available is to go to where the best bands are playing rather than wait for them to come to you.
There is a regular rotation of bands among the premier clubs listed below and they all have access to the best bands.
A night out in Havana doesn't often begin until late and carries on until the early hours. Matinees offer a great option for dancing and mixing with locals as they are a cheaper option for them. |
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| 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.
This really is 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 Adalberto 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 23.30. 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
Miramar / Playa
5 - 25 CUC |
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| Casa de la Musica Habana / 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. It has been a real success for the Cuban record label Egrem and it is its second locality in Havana. The restoration has been carried out brilliantly in a place where once the movie theatre 'Cine Jigüe' had opened its doors to many spectators and, even before, the theatre 'Teatro Cuba' and 'Molino Rojo'.
It is located in the same building of today´s 'Teatro América', a real jewel of Cuban Art Décor, by the way. At present, the place has a spectacular hall with three lounge bars on the ground floor and a smaller one with another bar on the first floor.
Its good sonority and location in the very heart of Havana, as well as its accurately planned programme provide the place with an attractive atmosphere day by day. A must of Havana´s nights.
Address:
Calle Galiano entre Concordia y Neptuno
Centro Habana. |
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| Café 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 session. For a more tranquil after hours venue, check out the upstairs Delirio Habanero bar. Dress code: no shorts. |
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| Delirio Habanero Bar |
It is a great post theatre, show or dinner place. Live Music is played in a cozy and intimate setting with an impressive night time view on to the Plaza de la Revolución.
A not to be missed Havana experience, the supremely tasteful El Delirio has a fantastic setting with great views over the Plaza. The atmosphere is intimate, the crowd unpretentious and the music uplifting. Take centre stage, playing to a mixed aged crowd of impassioned salsa devotees.
Admission is a good deal and the bar has got delicious cocktails, good value snacks and attentive waiter service. If you haven't reserved a table it's worth arriving early to stake your claim for the best seats in the house, the squashy red sofas by the windows.
Address:
Teatro Nacional, Plaza de la Revolucion, Paseo, esquina a 39
Open: noon-6am daily |
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| El Diablo Tun Tun |
Reopened in November 2002, this establishment is located in the upper floor of Casa de la Música in Miramar. A very well achieved mixture between piano bar and a place for live performances that attracts a wide variety of people. The place is always crowded.
Address:
Calle 20 esquina a 35. Miramar. La Habana |
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| Café del Hotel Florida |
There is one of the most beautiful cafes in all Havana in the hotel Florida. It is a great place to have a good dance without spending too much money. Recommended.
Address:
Obispo esq. Cuba, Habana Vieja |
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| Salón Rojo |
Its reopening, at the end of 2003, represents nothing less than the comeback of a Cuban night classic offering an outstanding cabaret that combines traditional style with new staging. The small dimension of the place allows to all those who wish to join it, a mayor intimacy with artists and their performance. Ideal placement in the very centre of the city. Good cocktail selection.
Address:
Calle 21 entre N y O, Vedado |
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| La Zorra y el Cuervo |
Named after a well known Spanish fable ('The Fox and the Crow'), this near legendary jazz basement on La Rampa hosts well-known local and foreign musicians every night. The first set begins at 10.30pm, the second at midnight.
The Fox and the Crow is one of the best nights in Havana for jazz enthusiasts. The small cellar space on La Rampa is entered through a fine red reproduction British telephone box. A very popular club with high calibre jazz musicians playing to an appreciative mixed crowd. Advisable to get there before 11.00pm if you want a table with a view of the stage. Cuban bands often feature visiting US musicians.
Address:
Calle 23, entre N y O
10 CUC 2 drinks free
Open: 9.30pm- 4am daily |
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| Matinee Places to Dance |
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:
Hamel entre Aramburu y Hospital. |
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| El Gran Palenque |
Every Saturday at 3pm the Gran Palenque outdoor bar/café hosts a live rumba show on Saturdays (Sábado de la Rumba) by the fantastic Conjunto Folclórico Nacional de Cuba. If you're into Afro-Cuban rhythms and dance, this is an event not to be missed. The Conjunto also offers dance and percussion classes.
Address:
Calle 4 #103, entre Calzada y 5ta
5 CUC
Open: 10am-10pm daily |
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| Macumba |
10 CUC Sun-Thu, 15 CUC Fri-Sat, or inclusive dinner and show with bottle of rum and 4 cokes is 35 CUC . Rated as a top Havana nightspot, this open-air disco has two large dance floors for salsa, merengue and R&B and features a small floor show. It is very popular with Cubans and foreigners, so expect queues. Tuesday features Latin jazz and salsa with performances from local favourites Dan Den and NG La Banda. Thursday is carnival night.
At the weekend Sunday is the best day is only 5 CUC cover and great entertainment.
Address:
Calle 222 esquina 37, La Coronela, in La Giraldilla tourist complex in the western suburbs
Open: 21:00-05:00 |
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