Clubs Havana... Page.3 Travel Guides | Havana | Bars and Clubs | Clubs Havana... Page.3

El Pico Blanco, Hotel St John, Calle O 206 entre 23 y 25, T 333740. Tue-Sun 2200-0300. Spectacular rooftop setting, predictable variety show of Cuban slap dash comedy followed by an unrestrained salsa disco. US$6 buys you the rights to an open bar for the evening. It's worth shelling out the weekend US$5 admission for a finer appreciation of sultry filín and bolero, if you are that way inclined.

Havana Café, Hotel Mélia Cohiba, Paseo entre 1 y 3, T 333636. 2100-0200. US$10 min. Havana's answer to Planet Hollywood, Planet Havana loses its soul in favour of polished American 1950s pastiche. The suave New York lounge-style seating area is furnished with a centrepiece replica Air Cubana jet. The tassle-shaking cabaret show kicks off from 2100. The vibe is inevitably touristy, owing to the pricey cover and the crop of Mélia guests not venturing off base. The bar serves overpriced, US$6, poorly executed, cocktails. If money is no issue, Sunday is the best night, US$25 cover, when top local bands, including NG La Banda, draw a more impassioned audience.

Hurón Azul, Calle 17 351 entre Presidentes y H, T 324152. Free. The headquarters of UNEAC (artists and writers union) is housed in a majestic, colonial mansion. An inviting intelligentsia hang-out, the lovely, welcoming bar hosts regular upbeat afternoon peñas. Wednesdays alternate between nueva trova and kicking rumba, 1700-2000. Sundays feature son or rumba from 1700, and Saturdays get more sultry with bolero 2100-0100. Popular with aspiring local bohos and visiting artistic talent, this is a very civilized spot for the meeting of minds and musical energy.

Imágenes, Calzada 602 esquina C, T 333606. 2130-0300. US$5 consumo mínimo. A chi-chi French restaurant during its pre-revolutionary belle époque, this intimate, classy piano bar is a great place for a low-key evening. Kicking things off on the smooth side, 2130-2300, is local pianist maestro Mario Romeu, followed by nuevo imagen – the showcase for budding musical talent – and call-the-talent-police karaoke until 0130. The raunchy salsa disco until 0300 makes for a fun evening climax. Bargain US$1.50 cocktails.

Jazz Café, Galerías del Paseo esquina 1, T 553475. 1000-0200. US$10 consumo mínimo. A sleek and savvy venue with class acts, a laid-back welcoming ambience and a highly appreciative audience. The star-studded line up includes legendary pianist Chucho Valdés, and the US$10 consumo mínimo is easy to satisfy, with inspired bartenders serving up punchy, price-conscious cocktails for US$2. A top night for jazz lovers.

Las Bulerías, Calle L entre 23 y 25, T 8323283. 1200-0400. This pseudo-tapas bar, just off La Rampa, looks rather like a Lloret de Mar souvenir shop has exploded all over the walls. The serve-yourself tapas bar is a psychedelic spread of glow-in-the-dark chorizo, spongy tortilla and a gnarled leg of, allegedly, parma ham. During the week, from 2300, aspiring John Lennons and Ricky Martins take to the stage, unabashed, for karaoke – and at the weekend from 2300, Las Bulerías turns the lightening down low, gets the glitter balls spinning and the live salsa pumping, until 0400.

La Zorra y el Cuervo, 23 y O, T 662402. 2100-0400. US$5. The Fox and the Crow is one of the best nights in Havana for jazz enthusiasts. The small cellar space on La Rampa is entered through a fine red reproduction British telephone box. A very popular club with high-calibre jazz musicians playing to an appreciative mixed crowd. Advisable to get there before 2300 if you want a table with an unobscured view of the stage. Cuban bands often feature visiting US musicians.

Tikoa, 23 entre N y O. 2100-0300. US$3. Popular with travellers and locals, this small and sweaty basement club swings between a strong Afro-Cuban vibe, with Monday night rumba shows, and upbeat salsa all week long. There are also weekend matinées, 1600-2000 at $0.50, with a more spiced local flavour.

Casa de la Música Egrem, Calle 20 3388 esquina 35, T 2040447. Matinées, Tue-Sun 1600-2000, Sun 1600-2000. US$5 (40 pesos for locals). CD shop 2200-2430. One of the top venues to listen to the cream of Havana musical talent. High admission costs for the evening sessions unfortunately rule out the locals and an authentic vibe. Wednesday nights are very popular and often headlines a long and steamy set of danceable salsa tunes delivered by the ebullient and medallion-clad Adalbeto Alvarez y Su Son. NG La Banda with their streetwise earthy lyrics, often play on Friday, drawing an older, tour group crowd. Music kicks off at 2330. Friday admission is US$10-US$15 depending on who plays. Mojitos US$4. Bargain afternoon matinées are a generally more Cuban affair with locals packed like sardines onto the small dance floor.

Travel Guides | Havana | Bars and Clubs | Clubs Havana... Page.3
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