Café Taberna
Calle Mercaderes #531, esquina Brasil (Teniente Rey), Habana Vieja
Admission: FREE
Open noon-midnight
Performances 12am-4pm,
4-7pm
This is a very lively restaurant on the corner of Plaza de Armas which is dedicated to Benny More and the home to good son bands, notably Son del Trópico, Sonido Son and the Septeto Matamoros who perform every day in two separate sets. You can come simply to enjoy the atmosphere at the bar. The clientele is almost exclusively tourists which limits the appeal for aficionados of Cuban music.
Casa de la Amistad
Avenida Paseo #406, entre 17 y 19
Admission: 3 CUC
plus 2 cuc min consumption
Open 9pm-1am
Tel. +53 (7)830 3114-5
This is one of the most beautiful mansions in Cuba with a wonderful story to its construction in the 1920’s. It offers a pleasant (though unspectacular) dinner option and hosts a variety of Cuban bands in its enormous garden three nights a week. In general the weekly program features Peña Chan Chan on Tuesdays (for old-timers such as Septeto Habanero), Monday night is for Bolero and Saturday an average cabaret show. An inexpensive option, though with little dancing and an ambience which sometimes gets a bit lost in the shrubbery.
Salón 1930 ‘Compay Segundo’
Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Calle P, esquina 21
Admission: 25 CUC
40 CUP with dinner
Open 9. 30pm Wed, Sat
Tel. +53 (7) 836 3564-7
As you may expect at the Hotel National this is a luxurious hall which offers a great place to see in particular old traditional music such as the remaining members of Buena Vista Social Club who still regularly perform there. Booking is recommended, and even with a ticket you may struggle to get one of the best seats.
| Havana Guide, Traditional Cuban Music |
| by CubaAbsolutely Team |
| |
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