Havana Social Club is a Cuban themed bar and lounge at Caesars Palace Bluewaters. Its nostalgic 20’s style décor is a little too well executed and, in the words of a guest I took there the other evening, looks like a set created for a movie shoot. It has the looks but absolutely no soul. Not on the night we were there at least. The smooth Latino music, however, was amazing. And we were there on the one night there was no live DJ or band. There’s a stunning terrace overlooking a pool outside but it’s all but unusable now that the heat and humidity of summer is upon us.
As its name suggests this venue is all about socialising. Don’t come here specifically for a meal. What you eat should be complimentary and coincidental. In fact, their menu is drinks, tapas and cigars – nothing heavy. We were shown to a table by a pretty hostess and looked after by an even prettier waitress. Looks aside both were very friendly and attentive. I give them five out of five for service. Told to try their rum based cocktails I ordered the signature El Presidente which, while delicious, was way, way too sweet for an old-fashioned whiskey gargler like me. We ordered a bowl of Guacamole and nachos to munch with our drinks.
El Presidente 
Guacamole and nachos
A pretty face is not enough these days. If Havana Social is going to realise the potential it so obviously has, it’s going to have to raise its game. That’s just the way ultra-competitive Dubai has become these days. There’s a specific venue which comes to mind at the mention of rum based cocktails and Latino music – Trade Vic’s. The Havana Social I visited has a long way to go to achieve that level of ambiance and vibe. But at least they’ve got two things going for them – excellent music and service, and that’s a great start. Good luck!
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each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his
companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts
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