Bars

The Palatino, on the west side of Parque Martí, is a pleasant spot to savor a drink while being serenaded.

Lovers congregate at Centro Recreativo La Punta (no tel., daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and 8 p.m.–1 a.m.) at the tip of the peninsula.

For elegance, check out the Bar Terrazas upstairs in the Hotel Unión (live music at 10 p.m.) or the terrace bar of Club Cienfuegos (Calle 37, e/ Av. 8 y 12, tel. 043/52-6510, nightly 10 p.m.–2 a.m.), which has views across the bay; a dress code applies. The club also has an English pub downstairs.

Traditional Music

The Casa de la Cultura (Calle 37 #5615, esq. Av. 58, tel. 043/51-6584, daily 8:30 a.m.–midnight, free) hosts traditional music and dance and other cultural events.

UNEAC (Calle 25 #5425, tel. 043/51-6117, www.uneac.com), on the west side of Parque Martí, also has cultural events in an open-air patio, ranging from Afro-Cuban folkloric events to bolero.

Nearby, the Café Teatro Terry hosts live entertainment Tues.–Sun. 9 a.m.–1 a.m.

Flamenco? Head to Sal Teatro Cuestas (Av. 54, e/ 29 y 31), a Spanish-focused performance space.

Cabaret and Disco

The Club Benny Moré (Av. 54 #2907, e/ 29 y 31, tel. 043/55-1105, Thurs.–Sun. 10 p.m.–3 a.m., CUC1–2) is an elegant cabaret theater with live music, comedians, etc. followed by disco. You need ID to enter; it has a dress code.

The only cabaret espectáculo in town is the laser-lit Noche en el Cabaret Costa Sur (Av. 40, esq. Calle 35, tel. 043/52-5808, Thurs.–Sun. 9 p.m.–2 a.m., CUC5), followed by disco.

Artex’s lively, open-air Centro Cultural El Cubanismo (Calle 35, e/ 16 y 18, tel. 043/55-1255, 9 p.m.–2 a.m.) offers a medley that draws local youth: Monday for rumba, Tuesday for Cuban music, comedy on Wednesday, folkloric music on Thursday, Caribbean beat on Friday, a cabaret espectáculo on Saturday, and karaoke on Sunday.

© Christopher P. Baker from Moon Cuba, 5th Edition