There is a type of bar that only really makes sense after ten at night, once the sun has dropped over the Ria Formosa and Avenida Nascente takes on that end-of-party-that-hasnt-ended-yet feel. Havana Club is that bar. It sits at Avenida Nascente 37, on Faro Island, a short walk from the beach, and the name is no accident: the music and the cocktails here lean straight into Cuba and the wider Caribbean, with Caipirinhas coming off the bar as if this were Copacabana rather than the Algarve.

Where it is and how to get there

Faro Island, also known as Praia de Faro, is a sand strip connected to the city by a bridge, and it is where the region's most relaxed summer nightlife concentrates. Coming from central Faro, the simplest option is the bus that connects the city to the beach (it runs mainly during the summer months), or driving, since there is parking near the strip of bars and restaurants. Walking or cycling is also possible, but plan for a good 20 to 30 minutes from the historic centre.

It is worth pairing the visit with other things to do in the area: for anyone into the sea, the guide Faro and the Sea: Where to Surf, Learn, or Just Watch gives good pointers for the same beach during the day, before the night turns toward Caipirinhas.

What to expect inside

Havana Club does not try to be subtle. It is a small space with a clear proposition: Caribbean cocktails, good music and, on certain nights, live shows. This is not the kind of place for a quiet, low-voiced conversation, it is for people who want to dance a little, drink a well-made mojito and feel like an Algarve night can also taste tropical. The mid-range price (€€) puts it neither at the cheapest nor the most expensive end of the avenue, but fair for the quality of the cocktails.

What to order

Caipirinha: it is the house flag, spelled out right there in the bar's own name.
Cuban-inspired cocktails: ask staff for the suggestion of the night, which usually depends on whatever fresh fruit is on hand.
If there is a live show that night, arrive early to get a spot near the stage.

Practical tips

There is no publicly confirmed opening schedule, so the safest move is to call ahead: +351 289 819 223. The same goes for reservations, especially on summer nights with announced live shows, when the small space fills up fast. There is no official website or consolidated review score at the moment, so trust local word of mouth and, again, check directly by phone before building your night around this spot.

The atmosphere is relaxed: no strict dress code, but since you are a few steps from the beach, a t-shirt and flip-flops fit right in, especially on the hotter July and August nights.

Before or after Havana Club

If the night starts earlier, it is worth grabbing something sweet in Faro before heading to the island: Pastelaria Gardy is a classic for coffee and a pastry before heading out, and Pastelaria Cinderela does the job well too. For those who want to keep the night going after leaving Faro Island, Twice Disco Club, back in the city, is another option for anyone not ready to call it quits at two in the morning.

And if you want to understand the local culture behind spots like this one, the guide Local Culture in Faro: Traditions and Experiences of the Authentic Algarve helps place Havana Club within a city that, away from the tourist centre, has its own unpretentious nightlife.

Is it worth it?

If you are after a sophisticated bar with a wine list and an intimate setting, this is not the place. But if you want a summer night with a Caipirinha in hand, feet on or near the sand, and a band playing Latin rhythms, Havana Club delivers exactly what it promises. And, to be fair, there are few places in the Algarve that commit to this identity without hedging: here it is Cuba, or at least the Portuguese, Algarve-flavoured version of Cuba, and nobody pretends otherwise.

Havana Club