Top 10 Havana Traveler
Top 10 Events & Nightlife in Havana
10. King Bar
Initiating our Top Ten Havana nightclubs is the bohemian hotspot known as King Bar. Located in Vedado, the trendiest neighborhood in all the land, you won't be let down when it comes to feeling like a royal. The great food, live music, dancing, and art gallery will enchant you. If it's your birthday, the staff will present you with a cake, sing Happy Birthday, and dance a celebratory conga—all in your honor! It's a hoppin' place and one of Havana's crown jewels! Open daily, 5 PM - 3 AM.
9. The Fox and the Crow
The Fox and the Crow is the most well known jazz venue in all of Havana. Local hipsters gather at this Top 10 Havana juke-joint to listen to the smooth sounds of top Cuban jazz cats. It's just what you want in a jazz club - dark and cramped with low ceilings. Dig this: the entrance to this swanky basement hangout is through a hip, bright red, old-fashioned telephone booth! Put on your glad rags, get dolled up, and catch a jam session from 10 PM - 3 AM daily. It's the bee's knees!
8. Paladar Huron Azul
The official social club of the Union of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC), The "Blue Ferret" will have you rubbing elbows with Havana's most artistic and intellectual crowd. This live music venue has various types of performances that take place outside in the garden. The bar and restaurant menus feature dishes named for famous Cuban writers and artists. Scurry on over to this socialite gathering place—you won't want to miss out! Open daily, 9 AM - 12 PM, 1 PM - 7 PM.
7. Cabaret Tropicana
Perhaps one of the most famous (and definitely the oldest) cabaret shows in Cuba, you will find music and passion always in fashion at the Tropicana. A lush tropical forest surrounds the open-air terrace where the performances take place. Hundreds of entertainers will stimulate your senses during their razzmatazz extravaganza. You'll see everything you would expect—elaborate costumes made of feathers and sequins, superb choreography, jugglers, acrobats, comedians, dancers, singers, and a live orchestra. Showtime for this spectacular Top 10 Havana cabaret is daily from 8:30 PM until dawn.
6. Habana Café
Sporting old cars, a Harley, an airplane, and other items from the 1950s as decor, the Habana Cafe be-bops its way onto our Top Ten Havana bars for many-a-reason. The world-famous Buena Vista Social Club performs here regularly, there are 2 cabaret shows, good service, quality food, and huge appetizers! It's a classy place frequented by tourists, with music shows every night. As Cuba's version of the famous Hard Rock Cafe, they do a swell job of keeping you rockin' & rollin'. Open daily 9 PM - 2:30 AM.
5. Plaza Vieja
If you want to see beautiful architecture and do some people-watching, head over to Plaza Vieja, the Old Square, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and a Top 10 Havana meeting place. Known to be one of the most beautiful squares in all of Cuba, you will be delighted with the character and charm found among the cobblestone streets. Museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars, breweries, cafes, renovated houses, circus acts, street theater, and of course great music and dancing all make this a must see when visiting Havana.
4. Sloppy Joe's Bar
It's said that everyone who was anyone visited Sloppy Joe's back in the first half of the 20th century. After being closed for over 50 years, the bar was lovingly restored and once again thrives as a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It lands cleanly on our Top 10 Havana nightclub for the nod to its own history—photos and memorabilia are proudly displayed. Discover the rich history of the bar and learn how it got its name. Hint: it isn't about a sandwich, it's about a guy who was, well, sloppy!
3. Don Cangrejo
An open-air seafood restaurant by day, the Don Cangrejo morphs into a sizzling nightclub after sunset—which is why it earned its place on our Top 10 Havana nightclubs. Locals and tourists party on the covered-pool dance floor into the wee hours of the night, tirelessly shaking their booties to the amazing live music. Facing the sea, Don Cangrejo is one of Havana's most popular clubs where you can get your groove on, get down, and get funky. Let's get the party started! Open from 10 PM - 4 AM daily.
2. El Floridita Bar
El Floridita was one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite Top 10 Havana hangouts and once you try their world-famous daiquiris (which were invented by the owner in the early 1930s), you will know why. Hemingway memorabilia is everywhere; a bronze bust placed in his favorite corner, photos, his favorite seat unoccupiable because of the protective chain, and a life-sized bronze statue at the bar! Great live music played in a buzzing atmosphere makes this historic fish restaurant and cocktail bar a true classic.
1. Monserrate Bar
Looking for a traditional Cuban nightlife scene? The Monserrate is the perfect Top 10 Havana club to experience it! Popular among locals and tourists, the high ceilings and wood paneling give the ambience and feel of times gone by. Chill out in the open-air seats—slow-turning fans will keep the breeze flowing from above. The food and drinks are terrific and the dancing and music make the Monserrate a truly special Havana hangout. Open daily, 9 AM - Midnight.