GUIDE TO AFTER-DARK
HAVANA 1956
[REF:
Cabaret Yearbook, Winter Resort Number, Volume One, poss
1956, p68]
GUIDE TO AFTER-DARK
HAVANA
THE BIG THREE
Tropicana, Truffin
Ave.
& Linea (B-4544). This claims to be the largest
and most
beautiful night club in the world. Located on what was
once an
extensive private estate, Tropicana has two complete sets of
stages,
table areas and dance floors. If the weather is fine,
the outdoor
area is used; otherwise everyone moves to the indoor
area. Tall
palm trees growing among the tables lend the proper tropical
atmosphere
and blend well with the ultra-modernistic
architecture. Shows
include 50-dancer chorus lines which often branch out into
the
trees. Rhythms and costumes are colorfully native
(voodoo is a
frequent theme.) Top names often star. Minimum
at tables is
$4.50 per person, but this can be avoided by sitting at bar
which has
adequate view of stage.
Montmarte, 23rd St
& P
(U-5207). Montmartre is the only major Havana night
club that is
entirely indoors. It is more conveniently located (in
the Vedado
section) than Tropicana, which is a 20-minute ride from the
center of
Havana. Montmartre, which used to confine its shows to
a series
of acts, now also goes in for large-scale productions,
directed by an
American. Name acts are frequently imported (most
recent: Los
Chavales de Espana). There is a $4.50 minimum at the
tables, but
none at the two bars (both of which afford a view of the
stage).
Sans Souci, Arroyo
Arenas
Highway (BO-7979). Usually run by Americans, San Souci
is located
in a Spanish-type villa. Stage, dance floor and tables
are under
the moonlight. Shows, like at the other Big Three
nightclubs, are
production numbers with name acts. Good-looking U.S.
show girls
are an added attraction. Sans Souci, as well as
Tropicana and
Montmartre, has a gambling room with roulette, craps and
chemin de fer,
etc. Located even further out than Tropicana, Sans
Souci usually
opens only for the winter season.
TOURIST ROW
Bambu, Rancho
Boyeros
Highway (I-5072). About 15 minutes from Havana, the
Bambu is
located in rustic surroundings. Show consists of local
talent.
Panchin, Fifth
Avenue &
C (B-7794). This is located in Havana's Coney Island
area.
Genuine native rhythms (rumba, mambo, cha-cha-cha) are
played by small
orchestras and danced to by a class of people that are not
particularly
inhibited. These often provide a better show than the
show on
stage.
Pennsylvania, Fifth
Ave.
& C (B-7807). It is a few steps to walk from the
Panchin to
the Pennsylvania and get more of the same atmosphere.
Teachers
from U.S. dancing schools often come to these places to
learn the
latest local dances.
Southland Club, San
Rafael
& Prado (M-9296). A cozy place off
tourist-traveled Prado
Boulevard, with dance music and a show consisting of singers
and rumba
dancers.
BURLESQUE
Shanghai, Zanja #
205
(W-9497). Located in Chinatown, the old, hot and
uncomfortable
Shanghai Theater has the only public burlesque in
Havana. Girls
strip completely (no G-strings). This theater is
probably one of
the few places in the world which openly shows pornographic
movies. Admission is $1.25, but varies according to
the location
of the seats in the big old Havana theater.
SPANISH ATMOSPHERE
Taberna San Roman,
San
Pedro & Oficios (M-4460). Cured meats hang from
the ceiling,
and wine jugs are on shelves along the walls. The
walls are also
decorated with bull-fighting posters from Spain. A
band provides
dance music, and on Saturday nights the Spanish equivalent
of a jam
session gets under way. Customers make impromptu music
and
someone usually plays a bagpipe (Spanish, not
Scottish). Well off
the beaten tourist track.
El Colmao, Aramburu
# 366
(U-9729). Spanish music, singing and dancing.
Customers try
to drink wine by pouring it in a thin stream from Andalusian
jugs
directly into their mouths. After drinking enough
wine, many of
the customers participate in the informal floor show.
Tasca Espanola,
Carcel
& Prado (W-9452). The Tasca is decorated to
resemble a
Spanish bandit's cave. Guitarists, singers, pianists
and dancers
make up the show and also provide music for dancing by
customers.
THE HOTELS
Nacional, 21 St
& O
(U-8981). The Arboleda Room provides a quite place to enjoy
good
liquor. A pianist provides pleasant music.
Sevilla Biltmore,
Prado #225 (M-9961). The Carnival Room has miniature
shows (usually a singer and an accompanist).
Presidente, G St.
& Calzada (F-6622). The Chez Merito provides a
trio of musicians.
BARS
Floridita, Obispo
&
Monserrate (M-5031). The Floridita (Formerly known as
La Florida)
claims to have originated the daiquiri (named after a Cuban
river). It has developed daiquiri-making into an art,
and
provides half a dozen different types. Most famous
daiquiri
customer at Floridita: Ernest Hemingway, who uses a special
out-sized
glass. The place also has an excellent restaurant.
Johnny's Dream Club,
on the
Almendares River. Johnny's is noted for its
fluorescent murals
and tables located on several tiers and so enclosed that
they provide
adequate privacy for lovers. There is a dance floor
(to recorded
music) and a simple show (singer, pianist). This place
is owned
by the same Johnny who owns Johnny's Bar (with "bar" girls)
and
Johnny's 88.
Mes Amis, Seventh
Ave.
& La Copa. Tony Gorody provides some of the most
pleasant
piano-playing in Havana, fine for listening or
dancing. A haunt
for local Americans who avoid strictly tourist spots.
El Dorado, Prado
#521
(M-4888). El Dorado and other nearby cafes opposite
the Capitolio
lend a Parisian air to the city. Tables are in the
open-air on
Prado Boulevard. El Dorado has an all-girl orchestra
for
entertainment.
Sloopy Joe's,
Agramonte #
252 (M-4178). This is a mecca for tourists, but few
locals (Cuban
or American) go here. Sandwiches are excellent, and a
small
musical group plays.
Pan-American Club,
Bernaza 1 (M-4811). Piano music, and fine chicken and
steaks.
El Mirador, Paseo
&
First St. Customers can sit on an outdoor terrace, drink,
watch outdoor
movies and be cooled by sea breezes from the ocean.
OFFBEAT BEAT
Colonial, Oficios
#164
(A-7324). The Colonial uses local talent, frequently
risque, to
please the tourist trade upon which this place lives.
Prices are
tourist-aimed, with a minimum of $1.50 per person at the
tables.
Palette Club,
Central
Highway (X-3019). Risque shows and private rooms for a price
keep this
place closed whenever the authorities decide to crack down.
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