CUBA 1940
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Cuba 1940s Gran Epoca Dorada
San Diego, Plaza San Diego, opposite Sofitel, Cartagena call (5) 685124 mail info@cuba1940s.com click cuba1940s.com 10am - 2am Good for: authentic cuban food, drink, music and vibes enjoyed in a like-you're-in-someone's-home setting |
Hands-down one of my new favourite bars in Cartagena, Cuba 1940s aims to bring the best of Cuba's golden age, to a perfectly located corner in San Diego. The result is like a relaxed but polished party at your friend's place (if your friend had a nicer pad with better food and drink).
What do I love? First of all, the live music on the weekends. It's free, it's fun, it will have you shaking your shoulders in spite yourself. It spills onto the street and attracts passerbys. It invokes those famed hot havana nights and encourages you to make the best of your own caliente Cartagena evening. So for now, that's just the weekends.. but weekdays the Cuban salsa soundtrack is a perfectly acceptable accompaniment to your wind-down drink.
OK so the drinks. Yes, ofcourse there's Mojitos. And they are very well done. Or done with a twist - with passionfruit or mango etc. But there's also all the other traditional Cuban cocktails you've seen in films, read in books, heard in songs. Daiquiris made famous by Hemmingway, Cubanito, Cuba Libre. There's all the rums. There's Cuban coffee.
The food menu is perfect for drinking. Super well presented, super tasty but designed so you can eat it with one hand and without taking valuable table space away from your drinks. There's the ubiquitous ropa vieja (this is one of the best versions you will ever try.. including if you've been to Cuba), perfect empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, moreish croquetas.
I really love the pool. It's a central point where you can dip your toes, or go the full dunk. It cools the room and makes everything feel tropical and chic. There's a cheeky sign that advises swimming in the pool carries a fee of 50,000 pesos (although ofcourse this is unsuprisingly waived for females).
What do I really, really love? The people. This will be the best service you will find in Cartagena. When I said it feels like you are hanging in a friend's house I meant it. But the owners, Dagmar, Luis and Stephany, make every single guest, from walk-in to regular, feel welcome like old pals. The attention to detail, high standards and natural hospitality of the trio (two Cubanos and a Colombiana) are plainly on show in Cuba 1940s. Oh! And be sure to note the cute Cuban kit the gorgeously appointed waitresses don (designed by the fashionable Stephy).
I've kindof gushed.. but really.. this place is a find and I am so happy it is here. Call in for a mojito or two..munch on some empanadas.. take a dip in the pool.. and make yourself at home.
What do I love? First of all, the live music on the weekends. It's free, it's fun, it will have you shaking your shoulders in spite yourself. It spills onto the street and attracts passerbys. It invokes those famed hot havana nights and encourages you to make the best of your own caliente Cartagena evening. So for now, that's just the weekends.. but weekdays the Cuban salsa soundtrack is a perfectly acceptable accompaniment to your wind-down drink.
OK so the drinks. Yes, ofcourse there's Mojitos. And they are very well done. Or done with a twist - with passionfruit or mango etc. But there's also all the other traditional Cuban cocktails you've seen in films, read in books, heard in songs. Daiquiris made famous by Hemmingway, Cubanito, Cuba Libre. There's all the rums. There's Cuban coffee.
The food menu is perfect for drinking. Super well presented, super tasty but designed so you can eat it with one hand and without taking valuable table space away from your drinks. There's the ubiquitous ropa vieja (this is one of the best versions you will ever try.. including if you've been to Cuba), perfect empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, moreish croquetas.
I really love the pool. It's a central point where you can dip your toes, or go the full dunk. It cools the room and makes everything feel tropical and chic. There's a cheeky sign that advises swimming in the pool carries a fee of 50,000 pesos (although ofcourse this is unsuprisingly waived for females).
What do I really, really love? The people. This will be the best service you will find in Cartagena. When I said it feels like you are hanging in a friend's house I meant it. But the owners, Dagmar, Luis and Stephany, make every single guest, from walk-in to regular, feel welcome like old pals. The attention to detail, high standards and natural hospitality of the trio (two Cubanos and a Colombiana) are plainly on show in Cuba 1940s. Oh! And be sure to note the cute Cuban kit the gorgeously appointed waitresses don (designed by the fashionable Stephy).
I've kindof gushed.. but really.. this place is a find and I am so happy it is here. Call in for a mojito or two..munch on some empanadas.. take a dip in the pool.. and make yourself at home.