Excellent Cuban rum, incredible music, and the sultry heat of the city in the Caribbean. Whether you decide to take an evening stroll along the Malecon, attend the cannon firing ceremony, or drink cocktails at a rooftop bar, Havana at night is magical. In the 1950s it was the playground of Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, and Ernest Hemingway, and a tourism magazine in 1956 called Havana “a mistress of pleasure, the lush and opulent goddess of delights.” So what is there to do in Havana at night today? Is Havana good for nightlife? Here are the best 7 things to do in Havana at night.
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After the sun goes down, the Habaneros and Habaneras come out onto the street, they head to the Malecon, the cooling sea breeze a welcome respite from the heat. It’s a glorious exercise in people-watching for the visitor (I do recommend it as one of the best things to do in Havana at night). Heading up to a hotel terrace or rooftop bar to see Havana illuminated at night is a fabulous experience, or heading to a club, seeing a show, or even watching the historic cannon firing ceremony at the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress. These are all great ideas for Havana nights out.
#1 THING TO DO
Buena Vista Social Club Tribute Concert
Discover the origins of Cuban music by watching this incredible Buena Vista Social Club tribute concert. Enjoy a live performance of salsa, rumba, bolero and guaguancó!
The 7 Best Things to Do at Night in Havana
Dine out. Take cocktails on a rooftop hotel terrace. Wander around Old Havana. Stroll Havana’s Malecon at night. Discover the origins of Cuban music. There’s a variety of different experiences to have in Havana at night. I’ll start with the most iconic things to do at night in Havana.
1. Head to the Buena Vista Social Club Tribute in Havana
The Legenarios del Guajirito is one of Havana’s most popular live music venues, and the Buena Vista Social Club Tribute concert pays homage to the iconic members club and famous Cuban band that was named after it. Famous from the 1940s to the 1960s the member’s only club was located in the Mariano neighbourhood of Havana and was a social hub for performers and musicians. While the club closed in the early 60’s the musical group named the Buena Vista Social Club was formed in 1996 and released a studio album in 1997.
A documentary – the Buena Vista Social Club soon followed. The album and the Academy Award-winning documentary sparked a resurgence in Cuban music and this music sums up the golden age of Cuban music between the 1930’s and 50’s. The tribute show here at the Legendarios del Guajirito brings you a Cuban music show that includes salsa, bolero, rumba, and guaguancó. Tickets for the Buena Vista Social Club include the show, a two-course dinner, and three cocktails. Come and experience the magic of Cuba’s golden age of music at the Buena Vista Social Club Tribute.
2. Experience the Paradise under the Stars at the Club Tropicana in Havana
Inaugurated in 1939, the Club Tropicana, aka the Cabaret Tropicana de La Habana became a symbol of 1940’s Cuban nightlife. The Cub Tropicana venue hosted stars such as Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf, and Ingrid Bergman in its heyday. Today’s show, which starts at 22:00 lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes and combines a variety of Cuban music genres from bolero to rumba, son to guaguancó, as well as mambo, salsa, and danzón. Tickets include drinks and a snack and can be upgraded to include dinner too. You can see the options here.
Havana’s El Tropicana Nightclub opened at the Villa Min in the Marianao district of Havana, on six acres of tropical garden. The venue is still surrounded by trees and is in the open air.
3. Head to Havana’s Parisien Cabaret Show
You’d have found Sinatra, Ava Gardner, and Buster Keaton at the Parisien Cabaret on Havana’s Malecón after it opened back in the 1930s. The performances at the Parisien Cabaret show combine African, Hispanic, and Indo-American influences. This is another great way to spend an evening In Havana, and you can opt for show tickets with a welcome cocktail and two drinks, or add a dinner option too. This enormous venue can seat up to 1,400 visitors, and shows often have 200 performers! The show includes high-energy choreographed dance, and brightly colored costumes at one of Havana’s most historic venues. Check out the Cabaret Show at the Parisien
4. Witness Havana’s Historic Cannon Firing Ceremony
If it feels like we’re going back in time on this tour of Havana at night, then it’s because we are. And you’ll need to go back to 1774 for the beginnings of this next extravaganza. The firing of Havana’s cannons was a signal of the closing of the city gates, at a time in history when the city needed to protect itself from pirates.
Back then the cannon was fired from a ship in the harbor, today this happens at the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress at 21:00 each night. Guards dress in 18th-century-styled uniforms as the ceremony takes place. There are great views from the Fortress. You can also have dinner at a local restaurant as part of your ticket – there are options here.
5. Take a Havana at Night Walking Tour
If you’d like to explore Havana at night, but with a local guide, then look no further than Havana’s free night walking tour. Meet at the Saratoga Hotel and head to a bar on Calle O’Reilly, for a Cuban cocktail. Then head to a hotel terrace, perhaps this time for a mojito. This is a great way to see local places, with a Havana native. The free tour (which works on a tip basis) lasts about three hours and ends at a bar near Plaza Vieja in Old Havana. The tour is free, but please reserve your place here.
6. Stroll along the Malecon in Havana at Night
Havana’s Malecon – the esplanade along the seafront – comes alive at night. It’s a glorious place to wander, people watch and see the sunset. Take a stroll, or a ride in a Cuban classic car, but don’t miss this very local experience in Havana.
7. Enjoy Cuban Cocktails in Havana at Night
The cocktail bars of Havana were made most famous perhaps by Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Cuba on and off for more than 30 years. You’ll still see his image at the end of the bar in El Floridita. This famous cocktail bar opened more than 200 years ago but wasn’t renamed from its original Piña de Plata to El Floridita until 1914. The famous cocktail of El Floridita? That’s the Daquiri.
I wrote about the history of Cuban Cocktails here. (P.S. There are recipes)
La Bodequita del Medio is more well-known for Mojitos. As Hemingway said “My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita.” I recommend sitting at the bar and watching the barman make countless mojitos at the same time. Look carefully and you’ll see names like Pablo Neruda, Nat King Cole, and Fidel Castro scratched into the walls.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR EXPLORING CUBA INDEPENDENTLY
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Final Words on the Best Things to Do in Havana at Night
Experience the heyday of Cuba’s golden age – of music, dance, and party. Try the best Cuban cocktails in town. Watch history that dates back to 1774. Or simply stroll along the esplanade in Havana. This is a fabulous city to explore after dark and these are the best things to do in Havana at night.
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