It’s the end of January and—let’s face it—your new year’s resolution is nothing more than a laughable memory.
But here’s one that may actually stick: learning how to dance, like, properly dance. Switch your manic gyrating for some graceful swivels and twists at Yangon’s first Afro-Latin dance bar.
Havana Social Club recently opened in downtown Yangon’s Urban Asia Centre, which has been revived by cafes, bars, restaurants and an art gallery.
“I like the dancing and how they’ve decorated everything,” says Wuanna Zawlwin, 37, a renewable energy consultant who comes to the venue four times a week.
Sunday is salsa, Monday is bachata (a Dominican offshoot of Cuban bolero), and Tuesdays are tacos, which is not so much a dance as something you eat. A beer and taco for 4,500 kyats is the deal, and Tuesday customers can also take part in free language exchange sessions known as Mundo Lingo.
Back to salsa on Wednesday, Thursday is Angolan Kizomba (most of the style’s songs are sung in Portuguese) and the weekends are social dancing to live music.
“The place was built by dancers for dancers,” adds Zawlwin, quoting Havana’s owner, who is also a dance instructor.
Downstairs is a small stage and dance floor next to a walled lined with mirrors. Neon lights highlight the second floor, which is mostly used for sitting and available for private events, while smokers can sit at tables outside.
It doesn’t matter whether you have two left-feet or are literally Shakira, the dancing is open for everybody with regular beginner, intermediate and expert classes. Plus, the noise proofing is excellent, says Zawlwin, so all outside sound is blocked.
The menu has a long list of imported spirits—at a glance, a glass of Jameson is 4,500 kyats, Jim Bean is 4,000 kyats, international rums are from 4,000-15,000 kyats, and you can even get absinthe for 10,000 kyats.
But the bar’s strength arguably lies in its house cocktails, made by talented mixologist Nyein Min. They cost 6,000 kyats each and include a robust “coffee fashion,” beetroot-infused rum and tamarind sour.
The dishes take cues from Latin culture but with a Havana twist and come from Tacos Guapos, a catering outlet that has proved a hit at Yangon’s pop-up markets.
Tacos range from 3,000 to 9,000 kyats depending on the number and fillings, which include chorizo, baja fish, pork, and spicy beans. Cheesy baked nachos topped with beans and sauce are 8,000 kyats and a tempting Baileys tiramisu (4,500 kyats) is among the other offerings.
Address: G23 Urban Asia Centre, Maha Bandula Road, Yangon
Contact: 09 778 779769
Hours: Monday to Thursday 6pm-12am, Friday 6pm-2am, Saturday 4pm to 2am, Sunday 4pm to 12am
