Byron Motley

Sep 17, 20183 min read

GAY CUBA - Where to go? What to do?

Updated: Oct 3, 2018

A few tips on where to go and what to do to experience Cuba's LGBTQ nightlife, clubs and social scenes.

El Mejunje is Cuba's original LGBTQ cultural center located in Santa Clara. Its founder Ramón Silverio (pictured here) is often present to greet visitors.

The Party is ON!

There are several choices for Gay Night Life in Havana. Most are located in the Vedado section of the city.

Many venues have nightly Drag Shows (Cubans LOVE their Drag Queens) and some feature the popular “Proyecto Divino" which includes males strippers, a variety of musical acts, and yes...more Drag Queens (aka Transformista's)!

Cuba is one of the safest countries you will ever visit. But, like anywhere else on planet earth, you always want to keep your wits about you. Know where you are going. Who you are hanging out with. Don't leave your food or beverages unattended in crowded place. Be safe. And most importantly.........HAVE FUN!

WHERE TO GO YOU ASK? WHAT'S THERE TO DO? HERE YOU GO!

HAVANA: CLUBS/BARS

CAFÉ CANTATE

Located in the basement of Cuba’s National Theatre

Calle Paseo y 39, Vedado

+53 7 878 4275

Sat Only: 11pm-6am

*Drag Show/Male Strippers/Musical Acts/Dancing

LA ESCENIA

Calle B no.153 e/Calzada y Linea, Vedado

+53 7 836 3031

Mon-Sun: 6pm-3am

*Drag Show/Dancing

CABERET LAS VEGAS

+53 7 836 7939

Calle Infanta No. 204, esquina 25, Vedado

Mon-Sun 4-8pm and 10pm-3am

*Drag Show/Dancing

MADRIGAL BAR

Calle 17 No. 302 e/ 2 y 4, Vedado

+53 7 831 2433

Tue-Sun: 6pm-midnight

Fri-Sat: 6pm-4am

*Social Setting/Food

KING BAR

Calle 23 e/ D y E, Vedado

+53 7 833 0556

Mon-Sun: 7pm-3a

*Musical Acts/Dancing/Food

X Y (formerly Bar Myxto)

Calle Jovellar 3 | Marina y Oquendo (Front of Malecon)

(+53) 7878 4410

Tues-Sun: 10pm-3am

*Drag Show/Dancing/Snacks

**Popular Lesbian crowd

CLUB EL TABLAO

Basement of the Grand Theater Alicia Alonso, Havana Vieja

Thurs Only: 10pm-3am

*Musical Acts/Male Strippers

BAR KARABALÍ

23 y O, La Rampa, Vedado

Tues-Sun: 10pm-3am

*Dancing/Male Stripper

INTO QUEER HAVANA!

***My friend Susana Hernandez in Havana is an LGBTiQ woman and journalist who has launched"Into Queer Havana"excursions which you can book through AirBnB. This is a great way to get an introduction into Havana's Queer culture for travelers traveling on your own itinerary and need a good guide service to show you around. You can connect with Susana here! Tell her Byron sent yah to get extra special treatment! Susana is bi-lingual! You will be in good hands with her! https://es.airbnb.com/experiences/81783

Or connect via email or Facebook Messenger!

Susana Hernandez

intoqueerhavana@gmail.com

m.me/intoqueerhavana📷

HAVANA'S LGBTQ HANGOUTS

EL MALECON

The Malecon is Havana’s storied seawall walking thoroughfare and is classic Cuba. The stunning setting is as much inspirational as it is romantic. Known as “Havana’s living room, you will find families, couples, friends hanging, athletes training, impromptu musical acts serenading passerby’s. At the intersection of Calle 23 (La Rampa) and Malecon (near the Hotel National), is the unofficial gay section.

EL BIM BOM

Once Cuba's scaled down version of a 7-11, the Bim Bom has transformed into a chic ice cream parlor much like that of Baskin-Robbins. Located on a dimly lit street corner in the shadow of the historic Hotel Nacional, the Bim Bom is swarmed on Friday and Saturday nights with hundreds of mostly gay men and transsexuals.

MI CAYITO BEACH

Located about 30 minutes outside the city limits of Havana, you can reach the beach by taking the hourly (air-conditioned!) tourist bus from Parque Central in Old Havana. The cost is 5 CUC for a return ticket. If you prefer to go by taxi the fare is around 15 CUC each way (depending on your driver).

SANTA CLARA, CUBA: LA CIUDAD LIBERAL (“The Liberal City”)

EL MEJUNJE

Calle Marta Abreu No.12; Santa Clara

Everyday: 10am-12am

*Events/Drag Shows/Art Exhibits/Musical Acts/Dancing

Recently celebrating its 25th anniversary, El Mejunje, located in the revolutionary historic town of Santa Clara, is Cuba’s first government sanctioned LGBTQ cultural center. Because of its historic relevance, this venue is not to be missed for travelers interested in Cuba’s LGBTQ history and culture.