Villa Clara Province
With a gravitational pull on Remedios' scattering of tourists, El Louvre is, so locals proclaim, the oldest bar in the country, in continuous service…
Must-see nightlife in Cuba
Habana Vieja
An offshoot of the hip Miramar bar, Espacios inhabits a smaller abode in Habana Vieja but, like its bigger sibling, adorns its walls with eye-widening…
Varadero
In recent years, Varadero has sprouted a copy of Hemingway's favorite Havana dive bar, aka La Bodeguita del Medio, a cool place where musicians strum in…
Varadero
In the Miami-esque Marina Gaviota at the eastern end of the peninsula, you get a Miami-esque cafe. The Isabelica tries to impress Starbucks-starved…
Santa Clara
The Santa Rosalia styles itself as a state-run complejo (complex); there's a restaurant, a bar and a music venue on-site. We're recommending it for the…
Habana Vieja
Worth incorporating into a neighborhood bar crawl, even if the 'pub' moniker is a bit misleading (the only beer it has is bottled Heineken). The eclectic…
Pinar del Río Province
This spot gets the local youth vote and is also the best place to meet other travelers (not abundant in this town). Situated on a lively stretch of Calle…
Habana Vieja
This once-seedy, now polished bar by the docks broadcasts a list of former rum-slugging patrons on a plaque by the door: Federico García Lorca, Marlon…
Vedado
No ice cream here, just movie memorabilia. This is the HQ of the Cuban Film Institute and a nexus for coffee-quaffing students and art-house movie addicts…
Habana Vieja
Founded in 1772 and glowing after a 21st-century makeover, this drinking and eating establishment is a favorite of cruisers and tour groups, who prop up…
Vedado
An ice-cool place to see and be seen, this tiny but super-slick bar-club close to the Malecón is full of dry ice and well-off Cubans enjoying nightly…
Ciego de Ávila Province
A small cafe on the corner of Florencia's main street that's good for a cola or a juice, La Esquinita is also where you can organize local excursions…
Villa Clara Province
Once a dive, the Driver's has lifted itself into posher territory. A local artist has given it a throwback 1950s feel with a strong focus on automobiles…
Matanzas
The city's famed drinking hole is a frenetic place housed in the ruins of a 19th-century, bay-facing warehouse. Drinks and grilled meats are served on an…
Camagüey
The aesthete's choice. At the top of the Gran Hotel, its cocktail maestro will prepare mojitos and daiquiris while you gaze at the city's premier vista –…
Matanzas
Dark, coolly air-conditioned and rather swish for Matanzas, this small, mod bar has tables that light up to show old city landmarks. Cocktails are…
Villa Clara Province
Remedios' 500th anniversary bequeathed the city many good things, not least this colonial-style place across the square from long-standing default bar, El…
Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces
This is one of the best outlets of Cuba's reinvigorated coffee chain, with comfortable seating, a comprehensive coffee menu and table service. Bonus: it…
Varadero
New cafe specializing in hot or cold mugs of Baracoan chocolate, a concoction that manages to taste both sweet and bitter at the same time. There’s inside…
Sancti Spíritus
On an upper floor on Parque Serafín Sánchez, this place has more of a nightclub feel than the usual ARTex patio. It offers dancing, live music and karaoke…
Matanzas
What begins as an old-school art-supplies shop and exhibition venue leads back into a courtyard reminiscent of bohemian Paris, where artsy culture…
Trinidad
This place is famous for its eponymous house cocktail made from rum, honey, lemon and water. Local musicians regularly drop by for off-the-cuff jam…
Varadero
Set in the transition zone between old and new Varadero, this simple snack bar attracts clientele from both ends. It's good for a cheese sandwich during…
Santiago de Cuba
As much a museum to one of Cuba's most famous trova musicians (Sindo Garay, most renowned for his composition Perla marina) as a bar, this is a smart,…
Bayamo
Join the town's poets, artists and musicians imbibing strong coffee and swapping ideas. You'll see them at the alfresco tables strumming their guitars…
Holguín
A nexus for Holguín's skilled dancers (most of whom are young, cool and determined to have a good time), this place is insanely popular at weekends when…
Matanzas
Hardworking little private cafe full of antique radios and old album covers that serves strong coffee, frapuccinos and basic snacks. Clientele is a mix of…
Varadero
Overall, the most banging night out on the peninsula if you like a drink or six. There's live salsa music at weekends and a good mix of Cubans and…
Habana Vieja
Rough-hewn Habana Vieja dive bar, with outdoor seating, a gregarious, tourist-heavy atmosphere and a constant diet of live music. On good nights (which is…
Vedado
If you want to salsa dance, this is the place to go: after the Sunday-night show literally everyone takes to the floor. It's at the far-western end of the…
Santa Clara
Situated close enough to Club Mejunje to absorb some of its edgy atmosphere, this small dive is a great place to get smashed with the locals in Cuba’s…
Holguín
'If you're into Tropicana-style cabaret shows and won't be seeing one elsewhere, you can catch a performance at this Holguín outpost. It's beyond the…
Matanzas
Rum and draft beer rule the menu, while old-timers and young students make up the clientele in this old, stripped-down bar, a dusty relic in an otherwise…
Pinar del Río Province
A drab hotel, but a kicking disco – this glittery nightclub in Hotel Pinar del Río, on the edge of town coming from the Autopista, is the city's most…
Habana Vieja
A couple of doors down from the famous Hemingway drinking haunt of El Floridita, Monserrate is a Hemingway-free zone, meaning the daiquiris are half the…
Havana
A slim flat-iron building that serves drinks and simple snacks, Prado No 12 resembles Havana in a 1950s time warp. Soak up the atmosphere of the city here…
Vedado
The Vegas was once a rough and slightly seedy local music dive, but these days it's better known for its late-night drag shows and is one of Havana's most…
Santiago de Cuba
Forget the coffee – you've had better at truck stops. It's all about atmosphere: 100% authentic. This smoky, dark cantina-type cafe sells cups of java…
Trinidad
In an adorable colonial courtyard decorated with modern graffiti, the best coffee in Trinidad is served in ceramic mugs with a square of Baracoan…
Holguín
Holguín's premier disco at Hotel Pernik. If you're staying there, the music will visit you – in your room – like it or not, until 1am.
