The Cuban (Bar, Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about The Cuban bar and restaurant:

1) It’s in the cobbled warrens of Stables Market in Camden, with a long outdoor staircase that looks like it was built for mules.

2) Its two floors (there’s an elevator) have the potential to make it one of those venues that never fails, regardless what the owners do with it. Which may explain the food (more on that later).

3) You’re here to drink. Fast-flying cocktails spin out from a long raucous bar tended by hard working denizens of what is essentially a nightclub that serves a bit of food. The guys are tanned, the girls wear low cut tops and everyone looks like they’re slinging rum like it’s going to make ends meet.

4) This is a place for old school dancing, with girls twirling in their frippery while tables full of local guys survey the opportunities. Clearly, some attendees had been taking the midweek salsa classes on offer. A lovely bit of exuberance in London’s most cliché neighbourhood.

5) They have what may be the biggest selection of rum in the UK. Any rum you’ve ever tasted is here, and plenty more. I counted 100.

6) There’s a cigar menu tucked in the back of the drinks menu that includes proper Cuban Cohibas.

7) The Rum Club looks like a good deal if you can go on a regular basis: Sign up online and get a voucher for three mojitos, then a bunch of discounts on food, drink and the door (after 9pm there’s a cover)

8) A cooling selection of ice cream in a little counter awaits you by the front door. Who doesn’t like ice cream after some vigourous gyrations?

9) You can eat here, but not for a taste experience. It’s a loose mix of Caribbean flavours and paella, which is logically absurd if you’re trying to convey any sense of authenticity. There’s basic tapas, steak, fish, desserts and lashings of fries everywhere. But The Cuban doesn’t raise expectations high enough that you’ll complain that the El Presidente baby chicken doesn’t taste anything like that dish you once had in Havana. It needed salt. And spice.

10) The Cuban is marginally on the profit-making side of the cost-value spectrum, but it’s a place to relax in the sun, (maybe) grab some grub and get stuck in to a themed bar with something special: An actual homegrown party scene. ...read more