Things to do at night in Havana

Things to Do at Night in Havana

Are you looking for things to do at night in Havana? Then, you have come to the right place. This Cuban city is bustling with locals going through their day and tourists exploring attractions during the daytime. After the sun goes down, it becomes a lively space with night owls prowling for nightlife activities. Visitors will find everything from local bars to clubs with world-class DJs and live performances.

However, Havana’s nightlife scene is not only limited to discos and bars. It offers an unforgettable culinary experience in its restaurants and paladars. If you want to try something new, how about partaking in workshops? You will find many cooking, dance, and music classes. There are more night activities which you will find in this article.

Experience The Tropicana

Tropicana Cabaret
Visit the magnificent Tropicana.
(Source: Tropicana Cabaret Facebook)

Regarding Havana’s nightlife activities, Tropicana Cabaret ranks at the top among every other option. It initially began as a nightclub named Edén Concert in the 1930s. However, it has long evolved from its casino-like business to a lively outdoor venue with dancing, singing, performances, and entertainment. You can dance the night away and vibe to music at the venue.

Tropicana Cabaret’s shows are legendary and attract locals and tourists. You can buy tickets for the show only or show + dinner. Everyone must dress elegant and formal, with dresses for women and long pants for men. Moreover, visitors can arrive early or a few minutes before the show starts. This place is your destination if you enjoy cabaret performances with high-energy Caribbean music and low-tempo beats.

Vibe To Afro-Cuban Music At Buena Vista Social Club

Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club offers a nice time with good drinks. (Source: Buena Vista Social Club Facebook)

Buena Vista Social Club is unlike your typical social club. It is more of a tribute concert to the legendary musical ensemble Buena Vista Social Club, which made Cuban music famous worldwide. Their most successful song was Chan Chan, with 125.5K page views. They released many albums and sold over eight million albums worldwide.

Although the club’s original six members are no longer with the group, it is still active with new members and is currently touring worldwide. You can catch their tribute performances at Bueno Vista Club in Legendarios del Guajirito, Havana. It will be a fun concert with live salsa, guaguanco, rumba, bolero performances and fine dining. You can also enjoy a three-course dinner with beverages of your choice.

Watch The Mesmerizing Cabaret Parisien Show

Parisien Cabaret Havana
Watch beautiful Cabaret Parisien performances.
(Source: Cabaret Parisien Facebook)
  • Address: 4JV9+9HP, Calle O, La Habana, Cuba; Google Map
  • Opening Hours: 9 PM – 2 AM
  • Price: $45

If you stay at Hotel Nacional de Cuba, you will be invited to visit their Parisien Cabaret club. It offers incredible shows in a vibrant and extravagant atmosphere. Its grand show, Habana De Fiesta, is a fusion of Hispanic, Indo-American, and Hispanic cultures. Expect lots of dancing, music, and wild performances. Although this show is pricey at $45, it will be worth every dollar.

You must wear formal clothing, as T-shirts, shorts, sandals, and flip-flops are prohibited. The show usually starts at 10 PM, but guests can arrive for dinner at 9 PM. After the show, they can stay to dance with the performers. Furthermore, this club only allows entry to visitors aged 18 and older. They must pay extra to use cameras and videotape the show. Visitors can choose starters and main courses if they have selected the show + dinner option.

Enjoy A Drink Or Two At El Floridita

El Floridita
El Floridita was Ernest Hemingway’s favorite bar.
(Source: El Floridita Facebook)

Havana has many pubs and bars. However, no bar can boast about having novelist Ernest Hemingway as its customer except for El Floridita. Hemingway entered the bar in 1932 and became their regular for twenty years. He enjoyed savoring their daiquiris and often hosted parties for his celebrity friends. Today, his golden statue stands inside the establishment, honoring their decades-worth friendship.

El Floridita offers a relaxed ambiance for drinking. You can enjoy a drink or two in solitude or visit the bar with friends. This establishment offers cocktails, including Papa Hemingway, Floridit, Mulata, Shaken, Maracuya, Cranberry, Chiclet, and Cuba Libre. You will also watch live performances by talented local musicians and bands.

Go For A Drive In A Vintage Car

Havana Cars
Ride a vintage car to explore Havana.

Whenever you search Havana, the first thing that pops up is vintage cars. These automobiles are the 1950s models that are no longer available in many countries. However, Havana residents have meticulously preserved these old vehicles and drive them around the town. The owners also rent their cars to tourists; many travel agencies offer vintage car tours.

You can ride one of these automobiles in the evening and explore the town. In addition to having a comfortable transport option, you will support local people who earn their income from these cars. Drivers usually charge $10 for a 10-15 minute ride. Likewise, rental cars usually cost around 25-30 CUC per hour. They are perfect options for visitors who don’t like walking or are in a hurry.

Go For An Evening Stroll Around Havana

Old Havana
Stroll around Havana during the evening.

You might be surprised to see an evening stroll on our list of things to do at night in Havana. However, a simple walk could allow you to visit more places than following guided tours. A stroll around Havana will include walking down the cobbleways, exploring the city’s hidden alleyways, and visiting local stores. You can also stop to buy food from a street vendor or souvenirs from stalls. In addition, you can interact with locals and make new friends.

During your evening stroll, you can explore famous tourist attractions in Havana. For instance, Cuban Art Factory is open from 8 PM to 2 AM. You can also visit museums and art galleries in the downtown. Another interesting thing to see at night is the Havana Cannon Firing Ceremony. It usually starts at 9 AM and lasts for 4 to 5 hours. If you don’t like walking, book a biking tour and explore the town.

Learn About Mafia At Hotel Sevilla

Hotel Sevilla
Book a room in Hotel Sevilla. (Source: Hotel Sevilla Facebook)

Did you know Havana had mafias in the early 1930s? In 1939, the mafia even owned and ran Hotel Sevilla. The owner, Uruguayan Amleto Battisti, was the mobster kingpin of La Bolita. The Sevilla-Biltmore casino was also closely associated with the mafia. However, it all ended after Fedel Castro’s rebel army came into power in the city.

Although you won’t find any mafia at Hotel Sevilla, you will enjoy learning about their tales. You can make your evening more fruitful by learning about the prominent members of the Italian-American mafia families. You can also book a room and spend the night in this luxurious hotel, which once offered accommodation to dangerous kingpins.

Join Interesting Workshops In Havana

Salsa Dance
Join salsa classes and other workshops in Havana.

Make your evening fruitful by attending various classes or workshops in Havana. They are only a few hours long, customizable, and will fit right into your itinerary. We suggest you attend a salsa class if you are interested in dance. An English-speaking instructor will pair you with a professional dancer partner and teach basic moves. Moreover, you can join a music class if you are interested in Cuban music. You will learn about Cuban music genres and instruments.

Havana is known for its delicious cuisine and exotic cocktails. Dishes like ropa vieja, Moros, cristianos, and tostones are famous worldwide. You can learn to make them in a cooking class & cocktail workshop. This Civitatis offer allows visitors to learn cooking from a home cook for four hours and eventually taste their creations. They will also learn to make Cuba Libre, Cafe Cubano, and Mojito.

Watch The Sunset On The Malecón

Malecón
View the magnificent golden rays of sunset in Malecón, Havana.
  • Address: 4JWR+8F9, Malecón, La Habana, Cuba; Google Map
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours
  • Things To Do: Watch sunsets, go sightseeing, explore attractions

To catch the beautiful sunset, you must go to Malecón. It is an 8-km sea drive along the coast in Havana. The residents love gathering around this area and hanging out with friends and family. They enjoy a cool breeze and stunning views of the ocean. During the evening, you can even watch the beautiful golden rays of the sun.

Visitors will see Cubans of all ages and sizes having fun in Malecón. They can also interact with locals and take beautiful pictures. This place is completely free to visit and open year-round. After a seaside walk, you can explore the nearby restaurants and shops.

Have Candlelit Dinner In Havana Restaurants

Tostones
Try Tostones and other local dishes in Havana’s restaurants.

Let’s end your evening expedition with a nice dinner in one of these Havana restaurants. They offer a relaxed and cozy ambiance; some even offer live music performances. You can dine alone or have a candlelit dinner with your loved ones. These establishments offer local, Asian, Italian, and International dishes.

  • La Guarida: 418 Concordia, La Habana, Cuba; 12 PM – 11:45 PM
  • Habana 61: 61 Habana, La Habana 10100, Cuba; 12 PM – 12 AM
  • O’Reilly 304: 4JQW+QM5, O’Reilly, La Habana, Cuba; 12 PM – 12 AM
  • El Del Frente: Habana y Aguiar, 303 e O’Reilly, La Habana, Cuba; 12 PM – 12 AM
  • Otramanera: Restaurante Otramanera, 1810 Avenida 35, La Habana, Cuba; 12:30 PM – 11 PM
  • La Esquina de Cuba: 4JRW+6VX, La Habana, Cuba; 11 AM – 10 PM
  • El Cocinero: 4HGR+W2C, Calle 26, La Habana, Cuba; 12 AM – 12 PM
  • Topoly: 669 Av. 23, La Habana, Cuba; 8:30 AM – 12 AM
  • Doña Alicia: 4JJJ+P5P, Calle Reina esq, Padre Varela, La Habana, Cuba; 12 PM – 12 AM
  • El Cafe: 358, La, Amargura, La Habana, Cuba; 8 AM – 5 PM

In addition to things to do at night in Havana, there are many daytime activities. For instance, you can visit the historic Colon Cemetery, which houses over 800,000 groves, 500 mausoleums, and 1 million interments. You can also explore Central Park, Plaza de la Catedral, the Capitol, Gran Teatro de La Habana, and the Museum of the Revolution. If you like Cuban cigars, book a Havana cigar tour or join a Cuban Cigar Workshop.

While Havana is a pricey Cuban city, it is a moderately priced tourist destination. You can expect to spend around $65 in a day. Moreover, this town offers many accommodations, from the cheapest to luxurious hotels. It is safe to travel with rare instances of pickpocketing and petty crimes. You will also find many free attractions and free tours around the city.

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