The best gay-friendly places in Havana

Humboldt 52
Opened in May 2013, the hot staff, comfortable setting, and welcoming vibe at this, Havana’s first full-time, openly-gay bar, make for a fun night out, regardless of orientation. There’s plenty of seating, big screen TVs showing music videos (Cuban artists are well-represented), and don’t be surprised if you find the decent-sized dance floor swirling with men dancing some serious salsa. Of course, like most gay bars globally, there’s also a disco ball and ‘back room’—though this one is for smoking, not other, more libidinous, activities. A talented opera duo perform Wednesdays; other days you’ll find karaoke and drag performances.
Humboldt #52, e/ Infanta y Hospital, Centro Habana. Tel: (+53) 5-330-2989; open daily 8pm-4am.

Cabaret Las Vegas
This state-run joint is a bit scrappy, but has long been a gay hangout and the stomping grounds of Divino, one of Cuba’s most accomplished drag acts. In the great tradition of queer dives everywhere, this place is dark and smoky, which keeps many people away. However, the show (11pm) is worth catching and it’s just a hop, skip from Humboldt 52, so you can shuttle between the two easily.
Infanta #104, e/ 25 y 27, Vedado. Tel: (+53) 7-870-7939; open daily 10pm-4am.

Cine Club Diferente
A monthly happening at Cine 23 y 12, this is one of the biggest regular gatherings of LGBTI Cubans and friends. Hosted by noted film critic Frank Padrón, the cinema packs in folks eager to see movies tackling themes of sexual diversity—some quite polemic. Past screenings have included Outrage, Harvey Milk, and Verde Verde, the 2011 Cuban film which shows how far things have come since Fresa y Chocolate (and how far we still have to go). Stick around for the lively audience debate following.
Calle 23 e/ 10 y 12, Vedado; 2nd Tuesday of the month at 8pm.

Fashion Bar Havana
Cuba’s first (and only, to my knowledge) drag supper club/bar, the setting here is a superb example of queer class meets camp, accompanied by a fantastic floor show. The owner, known as Luisito, spent many years in Holland before returning to the island and knows how to show clients a frolicking good time. The staff are nothing short of gorgeous, especially when performing scantily clad, which happens after the 11pm drag show in a rare homoerotic dance spectacle.
Reservations recommended. San Juan de Dios, esq. a Aguacate, Habana Vieja; Tel: (+53) 7-867-1676; open Saturdays (hours to be extended soon) 9pm-4am.

Escaleras al Cielo
This disco is transformed into a hopping hot spot every Friday night when LGBTI Cuban youth and friends hit the big dance floor to get their groove on to a live DJ. There’s a disco ball, naturally, and a surprisingly sophisticated (for Cuba) laser light system. This is one of the few places I know of with pole dancing, replete with provocatively dressed performers—both men and women. Stairway to Heaven indeed.
Zulueta #660 e/ Apodaca y Gloria, Habana Vieja; Tel: (+53) 7-861-9198; open Fridays 10pm-3am.

Café Bar Madrigal
Feeling more like San Francisco than Havana thanks to its pop décor, fancy cocktails, and the staff’s (occasional) supercilious attitude, this second-floor hangout is a gathering spot for all types of folks, including gay men and women in the 25-45 range. What this place has going for it are the comfortable seating areas—I’m especially partial to the terrace balcony and the living room in the back—cool music, arty atmosphere, and yummy desserts. On the downside, the entire interior is brick so can be deafening when there’s a crowd.
Calle 17 #809, e/ 2 y 4, Vedado; Tel: (+53) 7-831-2433; open Tues-Sun 6pm-2am.

Café Fortuna
This wonderful, off-the-beaten path find is as cozy as a West Village flat, with the interior décor to match. There are ancient typewriters, radios, and other curios hanging from the walls, a bathtub for two (they lay a board across it for easy access to your cocktails), and an old American car for kicking back with a cappuccino. The seamless combination of comfortable and funky works well here, where you’ll find a very mixed, welcoming crowd. This is one of the few places in Havana where you can still smoke; there’s a full bar in addition to a wide variety of coffee specials well-made.
Avenida 3ra, esq. a 28, Miramar; open daily 8am-10pm.

Bar Bohemio
If there’s a more laidback, chill and tropical chic atmosphere in Havana, I’ve yet to find it. Owned by a pair of retired Danza Contemporánea de Cuba dancers, this bar/restaurant housed in a Vedado mansion epitomizes sophisticated casual, with its plant-filled wraparound terrace, warm lighting, and individual couches and seating areas. It is as comfortable for a first date as a regular tryst meet-up, testifying to its welcoming, inclusive feel.
Calle 21 #1065, e/ 12 y 14, Vedado; Tel: (+53) 7-833-6918; closed Mondays.


  • Hotel Santa Isabel (Palacio del Conde de Santovenia)

    Hotel Santa Isabel (Palacio del Conde de Santovenia)  LH 4-

    The grandiose palace overlooking the broad cobbled plazuela to the southeast side of Plaza de Armas is the deluxe Hotel Santa Isabel, with its entrance at the corner of Baratillo and Obispo. The hotel …

    Castropol

    Castropol  LH 3

    This social club is set in a marvelous (if run-down) building right on the Malecón. The upstairs has been recently renovated as a restaurant serving international cuisine. Downstairs is often packed w …

    Hurón Azul (UNEAC)

    Hurón Azul (UNEAC)  LH 4-

    The home of the National Union of Writers & Artists (UNEAC) is a grand old Vedado mansion, where a large veranda serves as a stage and its patio provides table seating. This is a popular hang out …

    El Diablo Tun Tun Piano Bar

    El Diablo Tun Tun Piano Bar  LH 4-

    This club is literally right upstairs from the Miramar Casa de la Música. It is a smaller venue than its downstairs neighbor and is generally a bit calmer, although when popular reggaeton acts are pla …

    Meliá Cohíba Hotel – Habana Café

    Meliá Cohíba Hotel – Habana Café  LH 4-

    This is where Vincent Vega would get his ten-dollar shake in Havana and although you cannot actually sit inside the Chevy, Pontiac and Buick, which grace the interior; they do add 1950’s chic to the p …

    Nao

    Nao  LH 4-

    This is a small paladar/bar set on two levels with lots of heavy wood which has been nicely decorated, cluttered it may be but it is also cute and gives a sense of having been lived in without being t …

    Monserrate Bar

    Monserrate Bar  LH 4-

    Before you come to Cuba and if you had only seen Buena Vista Social Club, this is how you would imagine every bar in Cuba. Slow whirling fans above, an old Cuban group playing traditional Cuban music …

    Cocodrilo Humor Club

    Cocodrilo Humor Club  LH 2

    This is a comfortable place with a nice modern ambience inside. It features comics on a nightly basis who, if you can manage to understand what they are saying, can be pretty funny although much of th …

    Ambos Mundos Hotel (Lobby Bar)

    Ambos Mundos Hotel (Lobby Bar)  LH 2+

    The elegant lobby bar of this hotel can have its ambience thrown somewhat out of sync by visiting tour groups on the Hemingway hunt. There is however often a great piano player downstairs and the roof …

    Cafetería 23 y P

    Cafetería 23 y P  LH 2

    Close to the Yara cinema, this is a regular bar that has become a gay evening hangout simply because most of its clients happen to be, well, gay.

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