Cubana explodes with colour from the inside out. A self-styled Cuban bar located just five minutes from the South Bank, this is the place to come for Cuban cocktails and no frills tapas. Its energy and vibrancy cannot be faulted.

The Venue
One of the best things about Cubana is its location. The bar is a short stroll from Waterloo Station, close to The Old Vic theatre and a plethora of other funky little bars and restaurants that the South Bank and the surrounding area has become famous for.

There’s nothing calm and quiet about Cubana. From the exterior to the interior, this place is all about colour and quirky touches. The upper half of the bar’s exterior is covered in a brightly painted female Cuban dancer with the question “Join the party?” written beside her. Her arms are open wide and her inviting smile is exactly what they want you to see before you step into this frenetic little hub.

Stepping inside is like stepping into a mini Cuban bubble. Again, the colours are what stand out the most about this place – yellows, reds and greens splashed all over the walls. One can imagine what it feels like to be in Cuba for real, so this is perhaps the next best thing for London bound socialisers. The layout is very unusual with a downstairs area for drinkers, a ground level space and some slightly raised areas with enough room for one table. It’s a little cramped on these raised platforms but it is nice to look down upon all the action.

The Atmosphere
The sound of clinking cutlery, busy waiting staff and happy chattering make the atmosphere feel dense and cluttered - in a good way. If you’re looking for a vibrant evening, Cubana is the place to be. The clientele are between 25-35, with everyone from local workers, young media types, tourists and groups of friends stopping by for an evening of food and drink.

However, the staff unfortunately let Cubana down slightly. Everything seems quite light and breezy in here and very relaxed, but the staff’s faces don’t reflect this atmosphere at all. Having to wait for a while to be seated and then grumpily given the menu is something that can get your back up pretty much immediately. They seem to be barely there mentally, there’s no friendly banter, just robotically trained staff serving food and drink. Despite the staff’s slightly iffy attitude, the atmosphere remains bubbly, fun and upbeat. The sounds, smells and movement really remind you that you are living in one of the world’s most vibrant European cities.

The Food
One of the main things that Cubana prides itself on here is the fact they serve Cuban tapas - cheap Cuban tapas at that. The service is quick with a high turnover of people. The menu is really for diners on the run, those looking for a cheap bite or something light to accompany a Cuban cocktail. The cheapest tapas item on the menu is £3.45 for a single plate, rising up to £9.95 for a mixed tapas sharing plate – really good value if there are a few of you. Despite the vigour of the interior and atmosphere, when the food comes there’s really nothing outstanding about the presentation apart from the colourful plates.

The escabeche de atun fresco con vegetales (raw tuna marinated in lime juice with fresh vegetables and spices) for example, looks sloppy and messily cut. It has to be noted though that this is one of the best dishes offered and is fresh and light. The menu is varied and there’s something for everyone here. Vegetarians, seafood fans and meat eaters will all delight in these tasty, if slightly amateurish, dishes. It’s a sociable experience all round.

The Drink
The drink menu at Cubana is the bar’s real selling point. The menu is divided into the mojitos and Cuban classics, Cubana specials, cocktail favourites, daiquiris, margaritas and caipirinhas. There is also the Sangria Cubana, which has a little section all to itself, boasting a special Cubana recipe of orange juice, brandy, red wine and fresh fruit. There is an option to drink a single cocktail to yourself or, if you’re feeling fruity, a group of you can order a jug, with prices ranging from around £14.95 for the cheapest jug to £16.95 for the most expensive. Single cocktails are cheap and you won’t pay more than £5.95. As the strawberry mojitos arrive, they don’t look as vibrant as expected; as with the food, it’s all a little lacklustre. However, what they lack in presentaion, they make up for in flavour.

For those feeing a little less adventurous, there is also a full bar stocked with spirits, beer and wine. Their beer menu includes two Cuban beer options, a Czech beer and a Portugese brand. Wine and Champagne are reasonably priced. All bottles of wine are under £20, with glasses starting at around £3.25. The most expensive Champagne on the menu is £33.95 and the cheapest is £14.95.

The Last Word
With its excellent location and vibrant atmosphere, Cubana is a little ball of energy, teeming with vibrancy, spirit and diversity. They’ve succeeded in bringing a little bit of Cuba to the grey streets of South London.

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