Havana Nightlife Tips by russian_yaz Top 5 Page for this destination

Casa de la Musica: Best place to dance salsa all night long Casa de la Musica Review

There are two Casa de la Musica, one in Miramar and the other in Centro Habana, the first one is the older and most well known. This places are the best places to enjoy the best salsa groups in Cuba everyday. Different bands everyday/every week and invitees from 10 pm. U'll for sure enjoy a great evening dancing and having fun.

Casa de la Musica de Miramar

This place operates in a beautiful old performing hall next to a park in what was, and still is, one of the best residential areas in Havana. The club presents a live matinee from 6:00 to 9:00 and night time show from 10:00 to 1:00 every day of the week, even in the slow summer season. The matinee cover is $5 and the night cover is usually $15. During the day, one of the best music stores in Cuba is open to the left of the entry hall. The night show features Cuba’s best and most famous bands such as those I listed above. The matinees present lesser known but great bands just the same. The dance hall features a smooth tile floor with four-seat movable tables everywhere except for a large dance space in front of the raised stage. Two bars serve beer and mixed drinks at world market prices. Overpriced Cuban sandwiches can be ordered from table service waiters. Security is excellent. I prefer the matinee because the crowd is about two thirds Cuban due to the lower cover. The proportion is about two thirds foreign at night. Arrive early for both matinee and night shows to get a good table, or get a table at all. The best feature of this club is the bands. Powered by the excellent sound system, the groups, usually with at least thirteen players including drum set, just blow from the first number to last without pause. The energy keeps building. Cubans in the crowd sing the coros of favorite tunes along with the band, giving it up whenever the singer calls “manos arriba” during the breakdowns. This club almost never disappoints.

Address: Calle 20 esquina 35, no. 3308 Miramar

Phone: 204 0447/6147/9898 / 202 6147

Theme: Live Music

Sala Macumba: Dance salsa all night

This club is recommended only when it presents live music. Many of the top Timba and Salsa groups play here, but call first to verify schedules. The pretty venue is a series of large, canopied outdoor dancing and stage areas, each with its own bar, in a tropical ambience with lush gardens everywhere. There is also a large pool and a number of upscale (for Cuba ) shops for fashion, jewelry, and gifts. Unfortunately, the night I was there, no live music was playing. Instead, a karaoke show was the main event in which a cheesy MC would invite individuals from the audience to sing along with the latest Latin American pop hits with lyrics projected on to a large screen in front of the dance floor. The singers, who appeared to be Latin American and Spanish tourists, were awful and it made the $15 cover charge all the more painful. This club is also quite far from the Havana population center and therefore Cubans form a relatively small proportion of the crowd, even for live performances. Expect cover charges of at least $15 on live music nights

Address: Calle 222 at 37, La Coronela, La Lisa

Phone: 8 33 0538

Theme: Live Music

La Cecilia: Restorant and music together La Cecilia Review

The live performances are irregular depending on the weather and the season, so check to see if something is playing before going to hear music here. The outdoor theater is large and formed in an amphitheater with rising levels for seating back up to a bar area. A platform offers a dance area in front of the stage. This becomes very crowded when a top act plays. Salsa and timba groups like Paulito or NG inspire powerful audience response, like a great rock concert. Other times, I have seen less well known groups here, fronted by a floor show often including very impressive salsa dance demonstrations. Audiences here are about 90 percent foreign. Cover charge varies with the event, but rarely exceeds $20.

Dress Code: No dress code, just don´t go naked... :-)

Address: 5ta Avenida y 110

Theme: Live Music

Parisien: Historical night club in a historical hotel Parisien Review

Located in the National Hotel the Parisienne night club enjoys the same prestigious history as the hotel. Night shows, great barmans, nice drinks and delicious food will make U feel like in paradise. If tired of the music, U can walk in the hotel gardens and enjoy the sea breeze.

Dress Code: No shorts, no sneakers, no sandals

Address: In the National Hotel, easy to find

Phone: 55 0700 or 833 3564

Theme: Nightclub

Tropicana: Tropicana, a paradise under the stars Tropicana Review

The Tropicana Cabaret is Cuba's most famous cabaret. Opened in 1931, it's known as the "Paradise under the Stars" and it has been pleasing crowds ever since. Surrounded by lush vegetation visits can enjoy a glittering spectacle featuring over 200 singers, dancers, musicians and vocalists.

Tickets can be ordered by phone from 10am – 6pm or buy them at the ticket booth at 8:30 pm (call ahead of time to check availability) reservations can be made through any travel agency desk located in most of the hotels.

Some different daily offers U can choose from to enjoy the show:
- 1rst offer
1/4 Botella de Ron (3 years Old)
1 Refresco.
1 Botella pequeña de vino Freixenet.
70 cuc/pax

- 2nd offer:
1/4 Botella de Ron (5 years Old)
1 Refresco.
1 Botella pequeña de vino Freixenet.
1 Hors D’oeuvre.
Table close to the scenary
80 cuc/pax.

- 3rd offer
1/4 Botella de Ron (5 years Old o Whisky)
1 Refresco.
1 Botella pequeña de vino Freixenet.
1 Hors D’oeuvre.
1 fotografía
90 cuc/pax.

To include dinner with the reservation, 10cuc more per person.

Dress Code: No shorts, no sneakers, no sandals

Address: 72 e/ 41 y 45, marianao, Havana

Directions: From Vedado, just drive downtown through 23rd street, after Almendares river it changes the name to 42 st, follow it for about 10 minutes and U'll see the huge sign "TROPICANA"

Phone: 267 17 17/267 0110

Theme: Live Music

Turquino: Wonderfull view of the seashore and good live musi Torquino Review

Recently renewed this cabaret hosts some amanzing shows. It has the advantage to be in the roof of Havana Libre hotel so it has a magnificent view of the surroundigs unitl the Malecon, in the seashore. The prices can be high, depending on wich group is playing that night.

Dress Code: Casual, no shorts

Address: l st b/ 23 y 25, Havana Libre hotel, Vedado

Directions: In the roof of the Habana Libre hotel

Phone: 554011/334010

Theme: Live Music

Habana Café: Classical car and motorbikes like Las Vegas Habana Café Review

THye have a night show from 9:30 pm -12:30am each day. The place is decorated with classic cars and motorbikes. Is considered to be the most expensive place in Havana, together with Tropicana. Usually many of the best Salsa groups play here. Usually very crowded, full with tourists and jineteras.

Address: Paseo and 39 st, Melia Cohiba hotel, Vedado

Directions: Hotel Meliá Cohiba, next to the malecon and Riviera hotel

Phone: 833 3636

Theme: Live Music

Delirio Habanero: Beatifull view of the city and very good music Delirio Habanero' Review

Wonderfull place to enjoy a good evening, with good live music. U can even dance if U want, but most of the people remind on their seats usually. The tipycal music U'll hear here is boleros, jazz, solos and maybe some salsa or traditional music.

Go early before they open at 10pm because it can be full really fast and close.

Dress Code: No shorts

Address: At the roof of the National Theater

Directions: In Paseo and Boyeros. Just on the right when U are in front of the Paza de la Revolucion

Theme: Live Music

Copa Room: Hotel Riviera and its night club Copa Room Review

Riviera hotel is right on the malecon next to Cohiba hotel. In the entrace, to the right, U'll find this nighclub. Is a tipycal place for young people looking ofr fun and dance. The music is more disco and house than salsa. If U're young and looking for fan this could be your place.

Address: Ave.Paseo y Malecon,Vedado

Phone: (0537) 830 5051, 833 4051

Theme: Nightclub

Cafe Cantante Mi Habana: Very good live music and wide offer on drinks Cafe Cantante Mi Habana Review

This place is a must if U wanna enjoy good live music. It has various groups, each day something different. From tipycal cuban salsa, latin jazz, pop and rap. Every saturday from 4-7 pm (matinee) and from 10pm to 3am. In the matinee is more usual to find there young cubans looking for fun, is a good opportunity to get to know the locals.

I recomend on thursdays, the group Sintesis. Very well known worldwide because of their special blen of jazz, rock and afro cuban rithms. They have played in pretigious jazz clubs around the globe and even in the very well known Rock in Rio with rock stars like Sting, Red Hoy Chilli Peppers, Sepultura and others.

Address: corner of Paseo st. and 39 st. in Vedado

Directions: In the basement of the National Theater, on the Revolution Square

Phone: 833 5713

Theme: Live Music