Salsa Dance Clubs in Cuba

The Music Innovates and the Clubs Thrive in Cuba’s New Tourist Economy I love salsa, and I love to dance. I have been to salsa clubs all over the U.S. While many are great, nothing compares to the clubs in Havana and other cities in Cuba which showcase all the great traditions of Cuban dance and music at their roots.

In the early ‘90s, the aging communist government of Cuba rediscovered the popular music of the island as an asset for helping to develop the tourist industry. Tourism was seen as one of the few potential sources of income from foreigners to replace the subsidies lost with the fall of the Soviet Union. Tourism is now bigger than sugar, and Cuban music has played a big role in making this happen.

More cabarets like the legendary Tropicana have been introduced at hotels and nightspots in Havana , Santiago and Varadero. Salsa clubs have been opened to large crowds all over Havana. Every major city features a Casa de Trova with live bands from the area. In Havana , the salsa dance aficionado can choose from many venues every night of the week and some matinees as well. Cover charges are low and the live music smokes with Cuban Salsa and Timba bands that have become world famous. These include, to name just a few: Los Van Van, NG La Banda, Charanga Habanera, Adalberto Alvarez y su Son, Klimax, Bomboleo, Paulito FG, and Pupy y Los Que Son Son (Cesar Pedroso’s new power Songo spin-off from Van Van).

Because the clubs cater to foreigners, the level of dance skill is mixed. Most foreign patrons come from Europe and Latin America . There are many good salsa dancers among them, but the styles are as varied as the national origins of the crowd. But when the Cuban bands play on home soil, they pull out all the stops. The Cubans in attendance give it right back, showing off all their best moves from their unique style. In my opinion, the more Cubans there are in the audience the better. The best Salsa Cubana events I have ever seen are always comprised mainly of Cuban audiences, where the shared culture and energy of band and crowd react in an explosive, almost religious revival-like communal experience.

A caution to any self confident salsero from the states wanting to dance with Cubans at the clubs: Cuban salsa is different from styles in North America . Cubans grow up dancing traditional Son (on two) and Rueda de Casino (danced in a circle with frequent partner changes following various turns called by one of the leads). I have known many excellent leads from the states who just frustrate their Cuban follows with step patterns, timing, and moves that are like speaking a different language. I have learned enough of the basic Cuban style from Casino that I can make it through a song with a Cuban partner without screwing up from her point of view. But I still feel awkward.

In addition to the City Guide information about specific clubs below, here are my impressions of some of the best salsa clubs in Havana :

Café Cantante - National Theater, Vedado
This disco is located in the basement of the National Theatre on the Plaza of the Revolution. It presents live music some nights, though not usually top groups. Cover is $5 on DJ nights and $10 when there is a live band. This is a good dance venue, frequented by foreign and Cuban audiences. The recorded music features Salsa Cubana with occasional international pop and disco numbers. One great feature is the open bar. Free Cuba Libres and Mojitos are included in the cover charge. Not great is the aggressive hooker scene here. The Cuban girls (and guys) look great, dressed in hot outfits that would be at home at the Conga Room in LA. But unless you are there with your spouse or a date, expect to be propositioned.

Casa De La Musica - Miramar
My favorite club, this place operates in a beautiful old performing hall next to a park in what was, and still is, one of the best residential areas in Havana . The club presents a live matinee from 6:00 to 9:00 and night time show from 10:00 to 1:00 every day of the week, even in the slow summer season. The matinee cover is $5 and the night cover is usually $15. During the day, one of the best music stores in Cuba is open to the left of the entry hall. The night show features Cuba ’s best and most famous bands such as those I listed above. The matinees present lesser known but great bands just the same. The dance hall features a smooth tile floor with four-seat movable tables everywhere except for a large dance space in front of the raised stage. Two bars serve beer and mixed drinks at world market prices. Overpriced Cuban sandwiches can be ordered from table service waiters. Security is excellent. I like the matinee because the crowd is about two thirds Cuban due to the lower cover. The proportion is about two thirds foreign at night. Arrive early for both matinee and night shows to get a good table, or get a table at all. The best feature of this club is the bands. Powered by the excellent sound system, the groups, usually with at least thirteen players including drum set, just blow from the first number to last without pause. The energy keeps building. Cubans in the crowd sing the coros of favorite tunes along with the band, giving it up whenever the singer calls “manos arriba” during the breakdowns. This club almost never disappoints.

Casa De La Musica - Vedado
This is Havana ’s newest major salsa venue, modeled on the older one in Miramar . There is a raised stage and large dance floor of hard tile. Unlike the other Casa, seating is segregated from the dance floor on a higher level towards the back of the club, including one section with theater seating for a better view of the stage. A long curving bar serves the seating area. As of September, 2002, there was no matinee at this Casa. The night time acts begin at about 11:00 with some kind of floor show, followed by the main act at about midnight or slightly later. Like the Miramar venue, this club features Cuba ’s top salsa bands, presented with state of the art sound. Cover is $15 for most events.   The crowd is mostly foreign, but I saw many locals here too.

La Cecilia - Playa
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Havana , with an outdoor music venue attached. The live performances are irregular depending on the weather and the season, so check to see if something is playing before going to hear music here. The outdoor theater is large and formed in an amphitheater with rising levels for seating back up to a bar area. A platform offers a dance area in front of the stage. This becomes very crowded when a top act plays. I have seen Paulito here twice and both times, the crowd presses up to stage front leaving little room to show your dance moves. But Timba groups like Paulito inspire this kind of powerful audience response, like a great rock concert. Other times, I have seen less well known groups here, fronted by a floor show often including very impressive salsa dance demonstrations. Audiences here are about 90 percent foreign. Cover charge varies with the event, but rarely exceeds $20.

Palacio De La Salsa - Hotel Riviera, Vedado
This club is located in the Riviera Hotel on the Malecon. It is a good venue to see and hear Salsa Cubana, but the wood dance floor is quite small. Dancing is best done to the variety of Cuban and international pop music that plays before the live act starts. 
The room is set up theater style with tables on the main floor and on three more levels rising behind. Moving around the room becomes difficult when it fills. Drinks are expensive here. I got caught cash short here one night when I ordered a bottle of rum without knowing it would cost me $50. Cover charges are higher too, between $15 and $25. Access to the venue is through the hotel so security is tight.

Article by Thor Anderson - Thank You

Salsa Dance Clubs in Havana

Club Name

Location
(Phone No)

People Mix

Music Mix

10/30/60

10/30/60

100/0/0

100/0/0

Live Son Groups in Havana

Folkloric Dance Shows in Havana

Radio Shows in Havana

The following are weekly events where people gather to dance afro-cuban rumba in Havana