-BAR

-- Municipio -- Old havana Centro Habana Vedado miramar West Outside Habana

	Old Havana	Taberna de la Muralla  - BAR - Traditional San Ignacio, esquina Muralla, Plaza Vieja Tel. 866 4453	RECOMMENDED Open noon-12pm daily
	This is a great place to drink beer, which is lucky given that this Austrian joint venture micro-brewery does not serve any other alcoholic drinks. It is located in the wonderfully renovated Plaza Vieja, which provides ample ambience to accompany the beer. Food is available and while being entirely unexceptional, grilled bbq chicken or pork after five pints tastes pretty good.

	Old Havana	Café del Oriente   - BAR - Cafe Oficios No. 112, esquina Amargura, Plaza de San Francisco Tel.+(53) 7 860 6686	RECOMMENDED Open 8.30am-midnight daily
	Café del Oriente is actually a lot less snooty than t it appears and if you are looking for a romantic late night drink it offers the best service in Cuba in a beautiful setting with an exceptional house bolero singer. Downstairs is split between a bar on one side and restaurant on the other, all within a fabulous building right on the square. It can get pretty chilly and they don´t like rowdy but if you have someone to impress take them here. The crepe suzette is to die for (and served with real style).

	Old Havana	Mirador de la Bahía  - BAR - Traditional Obispo No. 61, entre Oficios y Baratillo, Plaza de Armas Tel. 863 9361
	Located on the roof of the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, this is all about the view of the square and the bay, which is outstanding. The actual bar itself is pretty average with limited atmosphere and people.

	Old Havana	Bar Dos Hermanos  - BAR - Traditional Ave. del Puerto (San Pedro) No 305, esquina Sol Tel. 861 3514	Open 10am-midnight daily
	This is the sort of bar that one day could be an ultra chic bar masquerading as a working man´s saloon bar. Today it is quite true to its roots and, while interesting inside, its location (opposite the cruise ship terminal) places it outside of the loop and with a disjointed clientele.

	Old Havana	Bar Havana Club  - BAR - Traditional San Pedro No. 262, entre Sol y Muralla Tel. 861 8051/862 3832	Open 10am-midnight daily
	This is attached to the rum museum and as you might expect from Havana Club is excellently done with a wide range of well prepared cocktails and a nice general decor. Unfortunately, it is slightly out of the loop being by the docks a hundred yards in the wrong direction to attract much of a passing crowd. Occasionally, there is a big party held here, which is fabulous; otherwise, it can a little lifeless but even so probably worth a mojito.

	Old Havana	La Bodeguita del Medio   - BAR - Traditional Empedrado No. 207, entre San Ignacio y Cuba Tel. 866 8857/867 1374-5	Open 10.30am-midnight daily
	This was one of Hemingway´s favorite bars and his place of choice to sip a mojito. It is worth a look if you are on a Hemingway trail or simply want to see a bit of history. Unfortunately it is now really devoid of any character and full to the gills with camera toting tourists.

	Old Havana	Café París  - BAR - Cafe Obispo esquina San Ignacio	Open 8am-1am daily
	Although about as Parisian as Middleborough, Café París remained for many years one of the highlights of any bar crawl around Old Havana. It is also somewhere you may find yourself coming back to again and again. If first appearances are underwhelming, its real charm is in the brilliant house band along with a consistently good small intimate atmosphere where you cannot fail to meet interesting characters. Unfortunately, over the last year or two the tourist buses seem to have discovered the place and now drive out any interesting characters.

	Old Havana	La Casa del Café  - BAR - Cafe Baratillo e/ Obispo y Jústiz
	This is basically a Cuban coffee shop which looks like a coffee house should look, all real coffee, saloon doors and lots of people. This is a very pleasant Cuban café which is a great pit stop if you are in Old Havana and want to avoid the tourist bars.

	Old Havana	Lluvia de Oro  - BAR - Traditional Obispo No. 316, esquina Habana Tel. 862 9870	Open 10am-midnight daily
	This is consistently busy and looks like it should be a great bar. Given this, the atmosphere tends often to be a little disappointing, the band is not quite as good as many others, and widely spread tables seem to militate against a more intimate atmosphere of somewhere like Café París. Worth a pit stop on Obispo but not a destination place.

	Old Havana	El Floridita  - BAR - Traditional Obispo No. 557 esquina Ave. de Bélgica (Monserrate) Tel. 867 1299 / 867 1300	RECOMMENDED Open 11am-midnight daily
	While the Floridita has its detractors, it is probably worth stopping in for a daiquiri just because it is there and so famous. The constant stream of tourists give it a limited appeal as a place to spend the entire evening and you will find cheaper drinks almost anywhere else. On the other hand, the bar tenders are very talented individuals who will have forgotten far more about the ins and outs of cocktails (and especially daiquiris) than most people would ever dream of knowing. Dress warmly, for the air conditioning can be a little fierce.

	Old Havana	Bar Monserrate  - BAR - Traditional Ave de Bélgica (Ave. de Bélgica (Monserrate) No. 401, esquina Obrapía Tel. 860 9751	RECOMMENDED Open 11am-midnight daily
	Before you come to Cuba and if you had only seen Buena Vista Social Club, this is how you would imagine every bar in Cuba. Slow whirling fans above, an old Cuban group playing traditional Cuban music and a saloon style. An excellent place to start with and a good place to finish a night; try not to forget how many drinks you have had since drink inflation can be rampant. Also a place where a few local Cubans make their base of operations–a good place to meet them, not so good for a quiet romantic drink.

	Old Havana	Saratoga Hotel bar  - BAR - Hotel/Bar Paseo del Prado No 603, esquina Dragones Tel. 868 1000	RECOMMENDED Open noon-midnight daily
	No expense was spared in building and furnishing the Saratoga and it shows in the downstairs bar and the first floor lounge. Both are exquisite in their attention to detail and offer the last word in luxury. Service is attentive and good although the lack of any real vibe leaves a slightly empty feeling.

	Old Havana	Telégrafo Hotel bar  - BAR - Hotel/Bar Paseo del Prado No.408, esquina Neptuno	Open noon-midnight daily
	This contemporary ground floor bar would not look out of place in New York or LA. Well worth a pit stop although as with many of these types of bars in Cuba it never really manages to create a funky busy atmosphere to match the surroundings.

	Old Havana	Bar Lejaim (Hotel Raquel)  - BAR - Hotel/Bar Calle Amargura, esquina San Ignacio Tel. 860 8280	Open noon-midnight daily
	This is a pleasant downstairs bar located in a gorgeously renovated Old Havana boutique hotel whose roof will take your breath away. Every Wednesday evening there is an open bar.

	Vedado	Mesón de la Chorrera  - BAR - Disco Malecón y Calle 20	Open noon-midnight daily (weather permitting)
	This bar is located in an old fortress at the mouth of the Río Almendares and offers some good views and nice atmosphere, weather permitting (when there is a stiff breeze, waves will crash over the place).

	Vedado	La Terraza del Hotel Nacional  - BAR - Hotel/Bar Calle O, esquina 21 Tel. 836 3564 / 873 3564	RECOMMENDED Open noon-midnight daily
	You can´t go wrong in the garden terrace at the Hotel Nacional. At least not for the wonderful view and charming ambience. On a bust night getting served can be a challenge from the spoilt waiting staff but otherwise this is a top-notch place. Great for meeting people before going out this is a Havana institution and well worth the slightly overpriced drinks. Another good inside option is the Bar Vista del Golfo which has a jukebox and walls festooned with photos of such famous visitors as Errol Flynn and assorted mobsters.

	Vedado	La Torre  - BAR - Traditional Edificio Focsa Calle 17 esquina M, Vedado Tel. 838 3088 / 832 7306	RECOMMENDED Open noon-midnight daily
	The Focsa is a landmark building in Havana. Its 39 floors make it the tallest with a fabulous panoramic view of the city. Two good bars are to be found here, one at the bottom and one at the top. Both are a little air-conditioned Cuban state run places but both are well worth stopping by. From 25 floors up you get a marvelous panoramic view; from the bar at the bottom you get a more intimate atmosphere. Food is also available.

	Vedado	El Relicario Bar (Meliá Cohíba Hotel)   - BAR - Hotel/Bar Paseo entre 1ra y 3ra Tel. 204 3636	RECOMMENDED
	Located on the first floor of the Hotel Meliá Cohíba, this is popular with an up-market cigar-loving crowd and offers an elegant Edwardian ambience and relative serenity. It also has a nice pool-table. The hotel itself, a five-star marble palace, is a world away from most tourists perceptions of Cuba and this will not therefore be everyone´s cup of tea.

	Vedado	Fresa y Chocolate (ICAIC)  - BAR - Cigar Calle 23 No. 1155, entre 10 y 12 Tel. 833 9278	RECOMMENDED Open 6pm-2am Fri-Sun
	Across the street from the ICAIC (Cuban Film Institute), this lobby-turned-bar offers a very pleasant place to get a pre or post cinema drink with lots of film memorabilia around. The weekend offers good live entertainment beginning on Friday with La Tanda (a mixture of trova and various art forms), Saturday features a blues band followed by comedy, and Sunday sees a young jazz evening with aspiring jazz artists playing. Nights with no band on will be dead, dead, dead so worth checking out. A little grungy.

	Miramar	La Maison  - BAR - Traditional Calle 16 No. 701, entre 7ma y 9na, Playa Tel. 204 1543/85	Open 10pm-3am Performances 10pm-1.45am Matinées 4-8pm; Piano bar 10pm-6am
	Since the 1970s, La Maison has been best known for its fashion shows, but these days it also has a small cabaret and a piano bar with comedians and karaoke. The Saturday and Sunday matinés feature two live sets from Los Kent, one of the first bands to play rock in the island.

	Miramar	El Tocororo  - BAR - Traditional Calle 18, entre 3ra y 5ta Tel. 204 2209, 202 4530	RECOMMENDED Open noon-midnight Mon-Sat, closed Sun
	El Tocororo has developed in the last couple of years as one of the more reliable places to have a drink in the city. Attached to a restaurant of the same name, the bar attracts a healthy mix of foreigners and an up-market Cuban clientele attracted by live music and a nicely designed bar and vibe. One of the few places to actually enforce the non-smoking rule, this can be a welcome reprieve for those with sensitive lungs. Take a jacket for the air conditioning can be fierce.

	Miramar	La Fontana   - BAR - Traditional Calle 46 No. 305, esquina 3ra Tel. 202 8337	RECOMMENDED Open noon-midnight daily
	Recently renovated with the closure of La Guarida, La Fontana has become the in place in Havana. What used to be another downstairs eating area has been turned into an attractive European-style cellar lounge bar. This is probably my favorite bar in Havana at the moment, highly recommended. Great food is available, including Japanese from a local Japanese resident who does a great sushi/sashimi platter.

	Old Havana	Casa del Habano (Partagás Factory)   - BAR - Cigar Industria No. 520 entre Barcelona y Dragones Tel. 862 4604	RECOMMENDED
	This has a massive walk-in humidor, plus a hidden lounge with a narrow humidified walk-in cigar showcase for serious smokers. This is something of a Mecca for cigar smokers and offers a great ambience for a drink and smoke.

	Old Havana	Casa del Habano (Hostal Conde de Villanueva)  - BAR - Cigar Mercaderes No. 202, esquina Lamparilla Tel. 862 9293-94	RECOMMENDED
	This is probably the smallest of the Casas del Habano tucked away on the second floor of the charming Hostal Conde de Villanueva. It is also one of the most charming and offers a welcome respite from the bustle of Old Havana. Well informed, pleasant staff provide discreet and efficient service.

	Miramar	Casa del Habano (5ta y 16)  - BAR - Cigar Ave. 5ta esquina 16 Tel. 204 7975	RECOMMENDED
	While this is nestled between a number of different embassies in the business district of Havana it was for a while the hottest place to go in Havana. Not only does it have a good cigar lounge but it became the venue for a collection of some of Cuba´s best musicians to hold a nightly jam. In recent months this has become a little sporadic so it is worth checking before you go.

	Miramar	Casa del Habano – Club Habana   - BAR - Cigar Ave. 5ta entre 188 y 192, Jaimanitas Tel. 204 5700	Open 7.30am-9pm daily
	This is not worth the trek to the Western suburbs unless you have another reason. The beach club itself is reason enough on a nice day with the cigar lounge offering the perfect end to a hectic day spent between the pool and the beach.

	Old Havana	Bar Chico O´Farrill  - BAR - Cigar Palacio O’Farrill, Calle Cuba No. 102, esquina Chacón Tel. 860 5080	Open 10am-11pm daily
	One of the better places among those found in Havana Vieja´s hostales, this place serves as a relaxing hideaway by day or by night. Bands perform on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. While it has an Irish name and theme, do not expect to pick up a pint of Guinness.

	Old Havana	Bosque Bologna  - BAR - Cigar Obispo No. 460, entre Villegas y Aguacate	Open 11am- midnight daily
	One of the few leafy spots on Calle Obispo and accordingly, one of the more attractive and tranquil looking places for a drink. Like all the bars on the street, when a good band is playing, there is often a good vibe which can quickly dissipate. Informally known as Lazaro´s Bar.

	Old Havana	Café La Barrita  - BAR - Cafe Edificio Bacardí, Ave. de Bélgica (Monserrate) No. 261, esquina San Juan de Dios Tel. 862 9310	RECOMMENDED Open 9am-9pm daily
	This relatively unknown café-bar beyond the lobby of the magnificent Bacardí Building is a real treat. Its classical art deco interior makes it unique among Old Havana´s bars and the mezzanine location somehow adds to its classy yet down-to-earth feel. The old leather sofas are a little run down and this is not the Ritz-Carlton but it offers a real escape from the bustle of Old Havana feeling.

	Old Havana	Café O’Reilly  - BAR - Cafe O’Reilly No. 203, entre Cuba and San Ignacio	Open 9am-midnight daily
	Located only a block away from the restlessness of Calle Obispo is this relaxing, rustic two-floor café. Climb the cast-iron spiral staircase and try to squeeze yourself on to the balcony for a perfect spot for people-watching. Not a bad place for a light snack.

	Old Havana	Hotel Ambos Mundos   - BAR - Traditional Obispo, esquina Mercaderes Tel. 860 9529-31	Open 24 hrs daily
	The elegant lobby bar of this hotel can have its ambience thrown somewhat out of sync by visiting tour groups on the Hemingway hunt. There is however often a great piano player downstairs and the rooftop offers magnificent views over Old Havana.

	Centro Havana	Castropol  - BAR - Disco Malecón No. 107, entre Genios & Crespo Tel. 861 4864	Open noon-midnight daily
	This social club is set in a marvelous (if run-down) building right on the Malecón. The upstairs has been recently renovated as a restaurant serving international cuisine. Downstairs is often packed with local Cubans who like the lively non-pretentious airs, location and cheap cover. Really less of a bar and more of a club.

	Centro Havana	Cafetería Sofía  - BAR - Cafe Calle 23 No. 202, esquina O Tel. 832 0740	Open 24 hrs daily
	This is the local that everyone loves to hate. On a quiet night it may be the only bar on the neighborhood that is really busy, which, given its unattractive décor and lack of sophistication may come as something of a surprise. This is a people-watching place at a more down-at-heel level.

	Vedado	La Fuente  - BAR - Cafe Calle 13, entre F y G	RECOMMENDED Open 11.30pm to midnight Mon-Thu; 11.30am-1.30am Fri-Sun
	In the interests of transparency I have to admit that this used to be my local and I maintain a very soft spot for the place. With greenery on all sides and a (generally nonfunctioning) fountain in the middle, it is a very pleasant spot in any event. This is residential territory so do not expect wild salsa or table dancing but instead a pleasant and normal café bar mostly frequented by middle-class Cubans having a beer or three.

	Vedado	Opus Habana   - BAR - Cafe 3rd floor, Teatro Amadeo Roldán, Calzada No. 512, esquina D Tel. 836 5429	RECOMMENDED Open 3pm-3am daily.
	A wonderfully kitsch 1970s joint (relatively modern by Havana standards!) this is a place where couples sit on leather sofas holding hands enjoying cheesy ballads and admiring the view. Drinks are good and service pretty pronto. Food is available but pretty basic. Truth be told, this was an old local favorite of mine which is best seen in the early hours of the morning with attractive company.

	Vedado	Cafetería La Arcada  - BAR - Gay Calle M, esquina 23 Tel. 832 0677	24 hrs daily
	This pleasant place´quite similar to Cafeteria 23 y P but more down-market was formerly a primarily male gay haunt at night. Not gay anymore. It´s become a place for the Televisión Cubana people to get a snack or lunch. Except refreshments and beer, it´s all in Pesos.

	Vedado	Cafetería 23 y P  - BAR - Gay Calle 23, esquina P Tel. 870 7631
	Close to the Yara cinema, this is a regular bar that has become a gay evening hangout simply because most of its clients happen to be, well, gay.

	Centro Havana	San Lázaro No. 8A  - BAR - Gay San Lázaro No. 8A, entre Prado y Cárcel
	This house at the end of Prado at La Punta (the entrance to the Havana Bay), is the scene of regular Friday and Saturday night parties for a mostly young Cuban crowd. There´s a drag show that can go on for a little long but drinks and food are pretty cheap and while it can get very hot there are relatively few hustlers.

	Vedado	La Roca  - BAR - Comedy Calle 21, esquina M Tel. 834 4501
	La Roca has a very pleasant bar with great decoration (lots of 1950´s art deco glass) which makes a good pit stop if you are around. Recently this has started to attract large queues of mainly Cubans for the comedy show which performs at 10.30pm each night. If you want to see how, it is probably best to have dinner first at the restaurant which secures you a good view.