-
La Habana Vieja
This time warp of a restaurant was known to have been a hangout of Ernest Hemingway and prides itself as being the "cradle of the daiquiri." In 1953, Esquire even dubbed the bar one of the seven most famous in the world. It's always jam-packed with tourists dancing away to a hot Cuban band any time of day or night. The atmosphere is dark and austere, with oversize waiters dressed in undersize red-and-white formal wear plying away daiquiris or other cocktails. A life-size sculpture of Hemingway overlooks the bar eternally.
Calle Obispo 557, Havana, La Habana, Cuba
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
-
La Habana Vieja | Tapas Bars
For somewhere that's set firmly in the modern day (and to see what Havana's future is all about), head to O'Reilly 304, a funky gin and tapas bar set up by owner José Carlos. Downstairs is packed with locals and tourists, eyeing up the elaborate cocktails mixed by bartender Wilson Hernandez (among the best you'll see or taste anywhere in the world), while upstairs, surrounded by bare-brick walls, patrons enjoy innovative tapas dishes such as ceviche, croquetas, or tacos (between CUC$3 and CUC$6 per dish).
Calle O'Reilly 304, Havana, 10100, Cuba
-
Vedado
The ever-popular and always hopping Hotel Nacional, offers up another winning performance with its wild cabaret show. The lively show is followed by equally wild dancing by the audience. If you don't want to fork out for the Tropicana, then this is the place to come. The cover charge is CUC$35; CUC$50 gets you both dinner and the performance.
Calle O y Calle 21, Havana, La Habana, 10400, Cuba
-
Vedado
On the upper edge of Vedado near the Plaza de la Revolución, this lively disco-bar often has musical performances and dance or comedy shows. It's very popular with locals and is a great place to experience nightlife away from the touristy Havana Vieja venues.
Calle Paseo y Calle 39, Havana, La Habana, Cuba
-
Vedado
Housed upstairs in a stunning peach-color mansion in leafy Vedado, this quirky bohemian cocktail bar is something very different from the usual Havana venues. Its bare brick walls are filled with unusual artwork, old vintage cameras and rolls of film, and its dimly lighted tables make it both cozy and romantic. Sit at the back on the old comfy sofa or out on the atmospheric balcony with dazzling city views. Popular with both locals and visitors, it's open Tuesday--Sunday 6 pm--2 am.
Calle 17, No. 809, Havana, La Habana, 10400, Cuba
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
La Habana Vieja
This 24-hour standby usually offers entertainment by one of the city's excellent trios. No matter how many times you have heard "Guantanamera," these performers always give it new meaning. If you can't find much else going on in Havana Vieja at night, you can guarantee something will be happening here. This place has become so popular, in fact, that it's hard to find a seat either inside or out.
Calle San Ignacio 22, esq. de Calle Obispo, Havana, La Habana, 10100, Cuba
-
La Habana Vieja
Named after its one-time owner Juan Bautista Taberna, this was Havana's first café when it opened at the very same spot in 1772. The rhythms of in-house band Conjunto Roberto Faz and their guests are some of the best you'll hear in Havana Vieja. The tall ceilings, retro atmosphere, and impressive wooden cocktail bar give this resto-bar a notable place among Havana Vieja establishments. Tickets for a dinner and performance must be booked in advance.
Calle Brasil/Teniente Rey, esq. de Calle Mercaderes, Havana, La Habana, 10100, Cuba
-
Centro Habana
Havana's best known and most popular night club and live-music venue is not to be missed. The club has two locations, one in Centro and one in Miramar; the Miramar location is a bit classier and more laid-back. They both attract big-name Cuban acts such as Los Van Van, however, they also perform reggaeton, boy-band Latin pop, and even electronica. Try to find out ahead of time who will be playing, so you're not disappointed. Entry prices vary from CUC$5 to CUC$25 depending on the band.
Av. de Italia (Galiano), e/Concordia y Neptuno, Havana, La Habana, 10200, Cuba
-
Playa
The Miramar branch of the famous Casa de la Música, also has excellent live bands.
Av. 35, esq. de Calle 20, Havana, La Habana, 11300, Cuba
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: CUC$5–CUC$25
-
La Habana Vieja
Located next to the Museo del Ron, you'll step back in time when you walk through the door, and get the feel for life along the wharf. This, too, was once a Hemingway haunt, and it was also frequented at one time or another by Marlon Brando and Federico García Lorca.
Av. del Puerto/Calle Desamparado/San Pedro y Calle Sol, Havana, La Habana, 10100, Cuba
-
Vedado
Just steps from the Hotel Nacional, this dark and smoky bar offers live boleros-style music downstairs and a less than average restaurant upstairs. It can be a great option once the tunes get going later on into the night.
Calle O, e/Calle 17 y Calle 19, Havana, La Habana, 10400, Cuba
-
Vedado
Located in the same old oil factory as the restaurant El Cocinero, this place has quickly become one of Havana's hippest night spots. Open Thursday–--Sunday from 8 pm to 4 am, an array of performances are scheduled from jazz and contemporary dance to theater, DJs, and exhibitions. There's also a wine-and-tapas bar and various intimate spaces to chill out.
Calle 26, e/Calles 11 y 13, Havana, La Habana, Cuba
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: CUC$2
-
La Habana Vieja
Situated right on the atmospheric Plaza Vieja, this place is always full (day or night), and there's usually some excellent live music. As the name suggests, this spot specializes in beer, which it brews itself. Choose from light, dark, black beer or malt served in large pint-size glasses or beer tubes, so that you can serve yourself right from your table. If you get a little peckish, check out the pizzas and salads, or meat from the outdoor grill.
Calle San Ignacio, esq. de Muralla, Havana, La Habana, 10100, Cuba
-
Vedado
In the downstairs lobby of the Hotel Meliá Cohiba, this nightclub and cabaret offers a show with a torrid mix of live music and red-hot dance performances. When the main performance is over, patrons and professional dancers both join in the fray. It also offers an à la carte menu from 9 pm to 2:30 am.
Calle Paseo, e/Calle 1 y Calle 3, Havana, La Habana, Cuba
-
Vedado
Situated in a shopping complex across the road from the Meliá Cohiba hotel is Havana's other jazz place, and a good one it is. The many jam sessions and the introduction of new jazz groups mean there's lots of improvisation and hot young musicians, as well as big-name acts. It acts like a jazz-cum-supper club, where tickets include dinner and a cover charge for the music.
Havana, La Habana, 10400, Cuba
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: CUC$10
-
Vedado
Don't be alarmed. You must enter through an old English red phone box, before you descend into the city's premier jazz venue. Unlike most of Havana's music venues, the sounds make you snap your fingers and shake your head instead of everything else. Shows are held nightly, and the great-value CUC$10 cover includes two cocktails.
Calle 23/La Rampa, e/Calle N y Calle O, Havana, La Habana, 10400, Cuba
-
La Habana Vieja
Havana's best-known bar is a great place to hoist one for Hemingway. It's always packed with tourists looking expectantly toward the door as if Papa himself were about to swagger in and belly up to the bar. According to the man himself, this is theplace to order a mojito, as seen by the author's quote written on the wall "My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita." In reality the mojitos are no better here than anywhere else, but it's the atmosphere that counts. There's also an upstairs restaurant serving up typical criollo fare. Walls here are pasted with visitors' notes and pictures of the many notables that have passed through over the years, including Nat King Cole and Harry Belafonte.
Calle Empedrado 207, Havana, La Habana, 10100, Cuba
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
-
Miramar
This dinner and show spectacle has a feather-clad chorus, who dance to incandescent salsa. The place goes disco between and after performances and also hosts a lot of good bands. It's mainly frequented by tour groups.
Av. 5, e/Calle 110 y Calle 112, Havana, La Habana, Cuba
-
La Habana Vieja
This is one of your best bets for late-night entertainment in Havana Vieja, even though these days it's mostly full of tourists. It's also always full of life and is a good starting point for a night on the town. Impromptu salsa dancing often breaks out here later on in the evening, too.
Calle Obispo 316, esq. de Calle Aguiar, Havana, La Habana, 10100, Cuba
-
La Habana Vieja
This place hops all evening long, usually to the tune of a hot trio. Just across the road from here you'll see the Castillo del Farnés, where Fidel Castro used to hang out during his student days. It's not particularly notable for food or drinks, but is worth a look for historical reference.
Av. de la Bélgica/Misiones/Edigio/Monserrate, esq. de Calle Obrapía, Havana, La Habana, 10100, Cuba
