Bars & Nightlife

Rum flows freely into the glasses of nighttime revellers, who tend to head straight for one of Havana's three major hot spots: the Malecón, La Rampa (or Avenida 23), and the Avenida De Los Presidentes. There are numerous establishments to suit all tastes, from outdoor salsa dance parties (Jardines de la Tropical are as de rigueur as ever) to live music concerts (anything from Afro-Cuban to jazz) and fiery cabaret shows.

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Fábrica de Arte Cubano

Perhaps the trendiest address in Havana, the FAC is an expansive, multi-purpose venue housed inside a refurbished oil processing plant. It boasts a fairly dense cultural program which includes art exhibitions, shows and concerts, and is currently the hippest nightlife hot spot of the Cuban capital. The on-site restaurant, Tierra, is wildly popular (reservations …

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Café Teatro Bertolt Brecht

Virtually every night of the week sees live music played on the venue's stage, while Wednesdays are reserved primarily for Afro-cuban jazz. Café Teatro Bertolt Brecht hosts local acts and is a haunt known to and well-visited by the artistic elites (see them mingle at the on-site cafe open to …

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El Surtidor @ Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski

Perhaps the most lustrous hangout for drinks in Havana, the rooftop bar of Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski boasts views of the city's many major attractions, which can be seen from both the bar and crystal-blue waters of its open-air infinity pool. Taste the flavours of Cuba and international classics while enjoying spectacular views of La …

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La Bodeguita del Medio

Although Havana's iconic bar might have lost some of its former lustre over the years, it remains a must-do for many visiting the Cuban capital, not least for its iconic status and ever-flowing …

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Dance & Cabaret Shows

There is no shortage of thematic dance entertainment in Havana, ranging from folk dance and music performances of the PG-14 variety to feisty cabaret shows and the more familiar flamenco (held at Meson de la Flota). Some venues worth considering include Centro Cultural El Gran Palenque, Palacio de la Artesania, the Patio Amarillo …

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El Dandy

"Hipster" doesn't sound like a tired cliche when applied to El Dandy in Havana's Plaza del Cristo, a fun establishment with a touch of bohemian chic. The eclectic interior, cocktails and breakfast menu are some of El Dandy's strong …

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La Zorra y El Cuervo Jazz Club

Enter through a faux British phone booth and take in one of Havana's most beloved music genres — jazz — in the intimate basement of La Zorra y El Cuervo Jazz Club, which habitually gathers a line …

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