What to do and see in Medellin, Antioquia Department: The Best Dance Clubs & Discos

Reviewed By Daydream792012 - Venice, United States

Son Havana Son Havana, wow...if you want a real live music cultural experience in the form of Salsa this is a great place to start. Son Havana is located at CRA 73 #44-56. Situated on the corner of a 4-way intersection in one of several barrios not far from El Poblado, in Medellin, Colombia, is a rustic road house covered in an array of colorful graffiti’s. The interior is much like a Cuban nightclub with wooden tables, chairs and bar seats, a series of movable platforms used as the stage and an old school PA that powers both main speakers and monitors (can't tell which, is which). Salsa music and videos are shown on the backdrop screen located behind the stage for several hours before the live band starts to play, typical starting time is around 1130 pm. Locals are dancing both on the dance floor and in-between the tables and chairs and all over the bar. Normally Americans are in bed by this hour but in this club the dancing (hot) is just starting to peak. The sound tech works very hard to eke out a rich salsa tone with what audio equipment is available to them and they do a damn good job of putting out quality sound throughout the club. By midnight there are nearly 300 people dancing, or closely watching this sea of humanity vibrating along with the music and paying attention to every note and word sung by the salsa band, who were brought in to play from Puerto Rico. There was a fantastic nylon string acoustic Guitar player, 3 Trumpets, a Keyboard player, two lead vocalists, a Percussionist (Timbales) who doubled on backup vocals and a Conga player and a standup Bass player. At the end of the first set two locals got up and jammed with the band at the insistence of the crowd "otra dos" otra dos". Clearly both of these singers were highly regarded by those in attendance at the club and they sang even better than the visiting band, with one of the guys playing a fabulous trombone solo in-between his vocals. As the crowd grew larger people made their way slithering about like sardines in a can through the "mosh pit of salsa dancers". I started to relax and just take it all in...The club doesn't serve food but they serve a lot of popcorn to munch on while patrons drink shots from all the bottles of aguardiente antioqueño ellos tomar. The woman are so incredibly hot is this sexually vibrant enticing dance...I was hoping to see someone in there that couldn't dance so I might take a stab at it, but this place is for qualified dancers, or in my case qualified listeners. If you are new to Medellin there is front door taxi service lined up for a mile down the street, as you exit out on your way home. Son Havana is the real deal. I recommend getting there by 10 pm and be patient, the band is well worth the wait. The band plays until they close the joint about 4 am…everyone is very friendly…Note: don’t get mad if someone steps on your toes, they’ve simply lost themselves in their dancing. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297478-d9604959-r555137280-Son_Havana-Medellin_Antioquia_Department.html#