Partying in Havana does not have to be a difficult if you are traveling on a budget. In the city there are clubs, bars and activities for every budget and you don’t have to stick to peso bars for it.
Here are some ideas for a great night out without having to spend a fortune:
- The Malecón
Do what local Habaneros do and grab some beers, a bottle of rum or if you are really on a tight budget a planchado (0,3 cl tetra packs of rum for 0,90$) and go to the Malecón. The famous sea front fills up with people at night, especially on weekends. The area around the Hotel Nacional or the Hotels Melia Cohiba or Riviera(Malecón y Paseo) are popular spots to meet old and new friends. In august the Malecón is also the place where Havana’s carnival is hold.
- La Casa Balear (23 y G)
At the crossing of the streets 23 and G (or Avenida de los Presidentes) there is a big yellow mansion called la Casa Balear, like the Spanish islands. This place is a cultural centre with activities on the weekends, in particular on Sunday afternoons, but it also a bar with almost the cheapest mojitos (15 CUPs) in city. The bar is a popular place for young Cubans to hang out with friends and a have a couple of drinks. Although crowded on weekends during the week it is a quiet place to hang out and get some drinks.
- Free concerts
If you are lucky enough to be in Havana during the beginning or the end of summer holidays (July/September) you have the chance to be part of some free activities, like the concerts around the university (Vedado L & San Lazaro). For the start and the end of the semester, also to other occasions, there is a big concert on the stairs of the university. Usually the places gets crowded and the groups that play are quite famous. Ask around for the exact dates.
- Happy Hours
The concept of Happy Hours found it’s way to Havana as well and there are a few bars around the city that have great offers. There are Bars like the Bohemio (Vedado Calle 14 esq. 19) that offer two drinks for the price of one on Friday nights and you can enjoy a really nice atmosphere. Other locations with a Happy Hour are the Bar Esencia ( Calle B e/ Línea y Calzada), also on Friday nights or the Art Pub (Teniente Rey #306 e/ Aguacate y Compostela ), until 6pm.
Many Bars in the Old Havana have Happy Hours until the evening or nighttime, so move the cocktail hour to the afternoon and stick with beers at the Malecón or the Casa Balear at nights.
