Citypoint is a surprising location for a hip new East London bar and restaurant.

The Cuban - The Venue
From the exterior, it looks like any huge office block with a convenient shopping mall catering for hungry lunch hour office-escapees. However, situated at the centre lies the building’s beating heart: a vibrant shock of South American sunshine standing stark against the stale corporate background. The Cuban’s interior screams life: bright orange walls bounce off mahogany furniture holding brilliant tropical plant arrangements in (slightly strange, but aesthetically-pleasing) wicker birdcage vases.

The Cuban - The Bar
The ground floor bar is small but perfectly formed, with a neat bar lit up with unique diced-orange lamps. The bar is run by expert mixologists, happy to shake up dangerously delicious mojitos – or anything with rum in it.

The Cuban - The Restaurant
Contrasting the noisy colour scheme is a stunning range of black and white realist photography, plus the obligatory overload of retro Che Guavara prints. The artwork cascades down the narrow staircase to the basement where the fun really begins. A sprawling bar restaurant with cosy low-ceilings is randomly dotted with chandeliers, group-friendly long tables, podgy leather sofas and seats and – if you’re really lucky – two authentic Cuban guitar players singing their hearts out in the corner.

The Cuban - The Last Word
Somehow, this fiery shot of Cuba works perfectly within its corporate wasteland surroundings. The only things missing are the cigars.

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