Cuba Guide
Cienfuegos and Villa Clara
Cabarets, nightclubs and live music venues
1 El Bosque Calle 1 esq. Carretera Central, next to the bridge over the Río Cubanicay 
42/20-4444 Opening time: Wed– Sun at 10pmPrice: $5CUCFor the full-on cabaret experience, with its slick comedians and professional singers and dancers, this is generally regarded as being the best show in town. The entrance charge covers groups of up to four and includes a free bottle of rum.
2 Casa de la Ciudad Boulevard esq. J.B. Zayas 42/20-5593 Opening time: $1CUCMonthly programmes of traditional Cuban music, such as trova and danzón, performed on the central patio of this delightful colonial residence. There are afternoon and evening shows. Entrance costs vary but rarely exceed $1CUC and are often charged in pesos.
3 Casa de la Cultura Parque Vidal 42/21-7181 Opening time: Wed– Sat 10am–10pmPrice: FreeHosts mainly local but also national dance and music groups. There is a fairly diverse monthly programme (posted in the foyer) which usually includes trova and danzón nights as well as nights for kids. The most reliable times to catch live music here are Sat between 4 and 6pm (when there are performances out front in the street) and on Sat and Sun at 9pm.
4 Club Boulevard Independencia 225 e/ Maceo y Union 42/21-6236 Opening time: Daily 10pm–2am, closed MonPrice: $3CUC Tues– Thurs, $5CUC Fri– Sun.The only place in town that can call itself a true nightclub, albeit a very small one. Slightly more sophisticated and image-conscious than other spots.
5 El Dorado Luis Estévez e/ Independencia y Céspedes Opening time: Daily 9pm–1amPrice: $1CUCA cross between a school disco and an underground jazz club, this usually buzzing "piano bar" attracting predominantly local couples is full of 1980s cheesiness, but it's still authentic contemporary Cuban nightlife. You may have to tap on the door to get in.
6 
El Mejunje Marta Abreu no.12 e/ J.B. Zayas y Rafael Lubián 42/28-2572 Price: $1–2CUCThe city's most varied programme of live shows, dances and music, attracting a bohemian crowd and popular with the local gay community. Staged in an Arcadian open-air courtyard under the shade of a capacious flamboyan tree, the entertainment ranges from rock nights to live jazz and salsa. As well as traditional Cuban music, at the weekends there's either a disco or a transvestite show. Check for notices on the door or a board just inside for details of the week's programme.
7 La Terraza Santa Clara Libre, Parque Vidal Opening time: Daily 9pm–2amPrice: $1CUCOn the cramped U-shaped roof terrace of the hotel there's an unglamorous small-scale cabaret that's probably best for taking in views of the city accompanied by music.