It's got a ton of history, but it's devolved into a straight up tourist trap. Truly the worst places to visit in Cuba are the ones that the government maintains that are holdovers from the Hemingway era. They just feel like the same kind of laminated menu tourist spots you'd see in the French Quarter or Times Square or whatever only sadder.
Yup, we quickly learned the first time we went there that the government associated anything was garbage. (Save for cigars and liquor)
We went to a historic restaurant that was government owned. And we asked for a wine list. They proudly gave us a wine list. We asked for one, they didn’t have it. I asked for another one, again, they didn’t have it. We asked what ones they did have. They had a white and a red. Both tasted like grape juice. And neither were on the wine list. But we asked for a list of wines, and they gave us a list of wines. So technically, they did what we asked.
The private restaurants in people’s houses on the other hand were amazing.
There's some impressive big group moments, but it seemed to me that there were many creepy older men having to "snatch" a look up the dancers' cracks. I would never go again.
According to a family member who's Cuban and went back home on a visit. Yes you can.
It's not something the average Cuban will do however because of the cost. They did take some family with them when they visited. I don't recall them being impressed however. Probably felt the money could have been better spent on other essentials.
I took two Cubans in August. It's completely legal. The tickets are $75, $95 & $115, depending on the seats. Dinner is included in the $95 & $115 seats. I saw the show twice last year and it was WAY better when the weather was good and the show was outside. The inside theater is OK, but has about 20% fewer performers.
Either way, the $95/$115 tickets come with 1/4 bottle of rum per person (ie a bottle for a table of 4). It also includes a disgusting blue "welcome" drink. Additional drinks are $10/beer and $15/mojito. I never sat in the $75 seat. The $95 set is better in my opinion, even thought you're not as close, because you are not looking straight up.
Get there early for better seats. The concierge at the Parque Central hotel can get you a reservation and you don't need to pay in advance, or stay in the hotel. There is some association.
Taxi's to and from the event are a challenge. $25/to the show $45/from the show. Make arrangments with your inbound driver to come back and you will not get hosed.
Used to not be but nowadays it's fine, just expensive
How expensive?
[Standard ticket is 75 USD](https://www.cabaret-tropicana.com/en/book/entrada-estandar-al-cabaret/) The minimum wage in Cuba is $8 a month
Not expensive for tourists but very for Cubans
$75 and up
WTF I can’t afford that and I’m a tourist. Is it free drinks?!??
Nope
That’s insanity! What’s the draw of this place then? Bar for suckers.
It's not a bar. It's quite a show. Not saying it's worth $75, but it's not bodeguita del Medio.
It's got a ton of history, but it's devolved into a straight up tourist trap. Truly the worst places to visit in Cuba are the ones that the government maintains that are holdovers from the Hemingway era. They just feel like the same kind of laminated menu tourist spots you'd see in the French Quarter or Times Square or whatever only sadder.
Yup, we quickly learned the first time we went there that the government associated anything was garbage. (Save for cigars and liquor) We went to a historic restaurant that was government owned. And we asked for a wine list. They proudly gave us a wine list. We asked for one, they didn’t have it. I asked for another one, again, they didn’t have it. We asked what ones they did have. They had a white and a red. Both tasted like grape juice. And neither were on the wine list. But we asked for a list of wines, and they gave us a list of wines. So technically, they did what we asked. The private restaurants in people’s houses on the other hand were amazing.
There's some impressive big group moments, but it seemed to me that there were many creepy older men having to "snatch" a look up the dancers' cracks. I would never go again.
Yes, they give everyone half a bottle of rum - or they did a few years ago.
I believe you get a quarter bottle of rum and an hors d'oeuvre or something. They have a website
Not worth it, imho
The gay cabaret is cheaper and more central
Yes. Just need the money.
No, unless they're prostitutes.
Not sure why you’re being downvoted, when I went there old white dudes with young prostitutes 🤢
According to a family member who's Cuban and went back home on a visit. Yes you can. It's not something the average Cuban will do however because of the cost. They did take some family with them when they visited. I don't recall them being impressed however. Probably felt the money could have been better spent on other essentials.
I took two Cubans in August. It's completely legal. The tickets are $75, $95 & $115, depending on the seats. Dinner is included in the $95 & $115 seats. I saw the show twice last year and it was WAY better when the weather was good and the show was outside. The inside theater is OK, but has about 20% fewer performers. Either way, the $95/$115 tickets come with 1/4 bottle of rum per person (ie a bottle for a table of 4). It also includes a disgusting blue "welcome" drink. Additional drinks are $10/beer and $15/mojito. I never sat in the $75 seat. The $95 set is better in my opinion, even thought you're not as close, because you are not looking straight up. Get there early for better seats. The concierge at the Parque Central hotel can get you a reservation and you don't need to pay in advance, or stay in the hotel. There is some association. Taxi's to and from the event are a challenge. $25/to the show $45/from the show. Make arrangments with your inbound driver to come back and you will not get hosed.
feeling like rich with 1000 USD ?
Don’t know what you’re trying to say. It’s an amazing show and I try to share it with Cubans, because it is a dancing, musical beautiful experience!