Tropical Thursdays at Café Habana in Ann Arbor
Last Updated March 25th, 2008 by Geo-
Join DJ Sabor at Café Habana in Ann Arbor. Café Habana offers Latin cuisine with an emphasis on Cuban dishes and tropical drinks. The dancing happens downstairs in the newly remodeled Mohito Lounge and includes lessons with Teresa Velez.
Details:
(2 blocks east of Main St.) (map)
Details:
- No Cover
- 21 & Over
- Salsa lessons @ 9:30
(2 blocks east of Main St.) (map)
Synopsis:
For more info about this night, visit www.cafehabanas.com
Salseros Stats:| Venue Type | % of Salsa | Dance Floor Type | Salsa Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Nightclub | 75% | Wood Parquet | Yes |
Not a safe place to dance!
I was there last Thursday with some friends. The dance floor was incredibly small with benches along the walls. They had low iron-wrought chandeliers hanging very close to the benches and dance floor. When I stood up to dance, I smashed my head on the chandelier and it began to bleed.
Later that evening, another girl spun and her hand hit a chandelier. Glass broke and she cut her hand.
The indifference of Cafe Habana to these two incidents is amazing! They are not prepared to address this problem at this point. And this is not the first time that it has happened...I am surprised that they are not more concerned about people hurting themselves.
They also allow dancers to bring beverages in glasses on the dance floor. Not safe...
They say that they will be creating a larger space in the fall. I will be staying away until that time. I may go back - if they improve their space.
Otherwise, it is not worth it.
That is an exageration!! It
That is an exageration!! It is not nearly as bad as you say!
-Julio
Two injuries in one night and management indifference
Dangerous chandeliers at Cafe Habana hanging 5 ft off the ground.
Two weeks ago two women got injured by the low hanging glass and wrought iron chandeliers at Cafe Habana. One of them got hurt as she stood up from her seat bashing her head on the chandelier, ironically just after I explained how I whacked my head about a month ago on the lights which cut my head. The other person shattered the glass cover of the chandelier while doing a spin cutting her arm in the process. Both of them were bleeding quite a bit before it stopped.
I wrote a letter to the owner/management of Cafe Habana the next day and even suggested a variety of alternative ceiling lights from Lowes (I printed out a few examples for them) which cost at most $18 to replace their six chandeliers. Approximately $200 to $250 with labor I'm guessing.
I got a call from the manager, who recognized the problem and said their solution was to place those small circular tables directly underneath each chandelier. Not the best course of action, but better than nothing I suppose. It is up to them to figure out if their increased insurance premiums and their liability for the next month and a half is worth saving $250.
Being a selfish person on the dance floor I suggested that all those people standing around in the middle with drinks in hand should be asked to move to the side, since floor space is such a commodity there. He agreed and will be instructing the DJ to ask people to move if they have drinks. However the problem of people bringing drinks onto the dance floor persists. I saw 3 glasses broken on the dance floor during the time I was there last Thursday. The management there must take safety of their patrons seriously.
If you go to Cafe Habana do be careful of the chandeliers. I don't want to see anyone else getting hurt.
I thought this place was a
I thought this place was a great hole in the wall for some solo dancing on a romantic night but bring a group of friends or go to meet others and dance... Forget about it. Nice try but way too small.
-Chad
Cafe Habana will be closed Thursday Aug.28
Just wanted to let you know that Cafe Habana will be closed on Thursday August 28th due to remodeling. But we will have a special Salsa night on Sunday August 31st. as always no cover and free Salsa lessons.
Sabor
Pre Labor Day Salsa@ Cafe Habana
Join us this Sunday August 31st for a special Salsa night. Remember Monday is a holiday. As always DJ Sabor will be playing only the best Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Reggaeton. No Cover. Doors will open at 8PM and we will have a 2 hour dance lesson.
See you there,
Sabor
halloween?
Is there Halloween (costumes) salsa Thursday Oct. 30?
Halloween Party @ Sangria Sky Club
Sangria Sky Club is having a Halloween party on Thursday the 30th. It features 1500 in cash prizes.
South Beach Ultra Lounge's Halloween party has been cancelled.
Geo-
Thursday Oct. 30th there
Thursday Oct. 30th there will be a Holloween custume salsa party @cafe Habana.
Cafe Habana expansion complete
Alright, it is my pleasure to announce that the expansion of Cafe Habana is finally complete and starting this Thursday November 13th we will be breaking in the new dance area. It will be twice the size of the current area and no more annoying chandeliers. Come check us out and dont forget the night before Thanksgiving we will be there also. And as always no cover...
Sabor
Habana remains a favorite...
I like the new space - It's a little bit bigger than the old space, and there are no tables on the dance floor, or treacherous chandeliers above. Lots of good dancers (at least there were last night) - and it's not the meat market that Heidelberg is famous for being. I should also mention that Sabor plays a good mix of salsa, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton (just enough....not too much ;->)
The old dance space was reclaimed by the bar - which I didn't think was too bad, since most of the smokers tended to stay out in that area. It got a little crowded at the usual time (12:00-12:30), but I thought it was bearable. At least people seemed to be dancing (as opposed to just standing on the dance floor in groups, just talking with their drinks in hand).
On the way out, Teresa (the instructor) mentioned she'd like to do something on a Friday night - special one-night invite of yasalsa/dance revolution regulars, including a Cuban buffet and dancing for $10-15. I don't know if that appeals to people (it does for me, when Heidelberg is the only Friday night option).
Habana remains one of my favorite places to dance. :)
-Lesly
Cafe Habana
An acquaintance from Mexico went with a dark skin African American friend who arrived later and was not allowed to enter the club. My Mexican acquaintance then went out to look for her friend. They both thought it was racial or skin color and brought this up to the bouncers who just then kept both of them out of the club at that point. My Mexican acquaintance brought this up to the manager at a later date who said her dark skinned friend was not allowed in because they let in regular customers first. The manager never addressed the bouncers subsequent actions preventing them both from entering. I have never been to the place myself but am very ambivalent after all this. I also hear the food and the drinks are not good. I wonder if anyone else has had any experiences like this there?
Not the same experience
Gosh, that is a sad anecdote if it's true. I can tell you that I have been to Habana several times in the last few weeks and can say that without a doubt the crowd that I've had the opportunity to mix and dance with is as diverse as any of the socials or other Salsa hot spots I've had the pleasure of attending. I cannot speak for what the bouncers do upstairs, but on the dance floor, I see faces of all races, ages and genders. If the bouncers pick and choose based on race, it's not reflected in who I see downstairs.
I don't eat or drink there so I can't address those issues.
~ Jess
Follow up - Habana
All I can say is that Cafe Habana never addressed the issue when I hit my head on their chandelier and bled all over the floor...they had a lawyer from an insurance company call because they were afraid of being sued. But - they were not concerned about making it correct from a customer standpoint.
So - I would believe that they might do something like this.
Thanks for your reply as
Thanks for your reply as well. Interesting: different perspectives. The management did offer to meet with my friend from Mexico and I have agreed to go with her since I used to be a lawyer. Finals have gotten in the way currently, but I am hoping to hear from her at some time.
THanks for your reply.
THanks for your reply. Yeah, I was really surprised too as was my friend from Mexico. I am gald to hear that is not your perception.
Not my experience either
I'm sorry that some people have not had as positive an experience as I have when I go to Habana. I know of a few salseros who complained about the hanging chandeliers when the club first started trying salsa night at the back of the bar in the basement. Since then, the place has been remodeled and a larger section of the basement under the neighboring bar was opened to accomodate dancers. It has no chandeliers, and the tables are tucked away from the dance floor. I thought this was a very concrete response to the complaints listed when the club first started offering salsa on Thursdays.
Lately, the bar has become quite popular among non-salseros and/or beginners. It's a little frustrating because there's not a lot of room to dance anymore, and the bar gets very smokey. Last week, I got there at 10:15 and was stuck waiting with a crowd of others who had arrived before me. The bouncer seemed to do a good job of identifying those who had been waiting before us and getting them in as others left. Even me and my companions who are regulars had to wait upstairs for others to get in first. I'm sure the line got longer and the bar more crowded as the night wore on, so maybe this led to some misunderstanding with the bouncer later on in the night.
I'm hoping in the summer when the students leave town, Habana will return to the great little dive it was when I happened upon it last fall. Perhaps some of the crowding and misunderstandings will drop then too.
-Lesly
PS - the chimichurri sauce and hangar steak are pretty damn good!!!
Haban has been notified
I have formally notified one of Cafe Habana's investors about these issues and specifically asked that they have them addressed directly on this site. Stay tuned.
~ Jess
Habana one more time
Oh - I agree the new dance floor is better. Just that the customer service is bad enough that I don't dance there out of principal. So I look forward to hearing what they say about the long lines, smoke, and fact that they don't apologize.
But, Lesly, you are right about the chimichurri & hanger steak.
See you salsa dancing soon.
Those are good problems to have...
Long lines and a packed house every time? Those sounds like the problems every restaurant owner wishes they had! Whatever they are doing, it is working well for a lot of people. I guess the best you can expect is and apology that their winning formula does not work for you too. I would not hold my breath for that one though.
Sounds like Habana just
Sounds like Habana just wrote in, Jessoul...guess they are glad they didn't have a law suit.
Habana on Sunday
Habana is now also on Sunday with my favorite DJ Sabor.
It is much much less crowded than Thursday. So if you like to dance and still cannot get enough salsa even on Sunday night, please come. It is an ideal place if you live in Ann Arbor and want to have a relax, street dance atmosphere salsa night.
Salsa on Fox News
Say what you will about Cafe Habana but stuff like this can go a long way to helping our Michigan salsa scene :)
Check out the link below!
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/wildcard_5/thursday/salsa_dancing
I went to Habana cafe even
I went to Habana cafe even thought I'd read all the bad comments about this place. I wanted to make up my own opinion and after last Thursday I have to agree with all of you.
The music is very loud, but good, from salsa to hip hop. Unfortunately, the floor is horrible, so if someone wants to go, even though all the reviews, do not bring your favorite dance shoes, regular street shoes are better. Be also ready to be hit a couple of times because the space is very limited and people seem not to respect other dancers. Another problem I notice is that many guys and girls just want to look and honestly they are using up space we dancers would need.
Most of the people there are beginners which is not a problem for me, I am one of them. I only saw few advanced dancers, I even saw a small rueda de casino. I had fun but I there are better places out there.
real salseros stasy away
real salseros stasy away from cafe havana.
i went there couple of times and you cant even move let alone dance there. If you are a beginner or just want to hear latin music they have the best selection of songs but if you are and inter/adv salsa dancer forget about going there. you will be waisting your time.
every time I go to habana i
every time I go to habana i get bruises all over my legs anfd feet. That is because it is full of beginner salsa dancers. Here is a tip for you men that are trying to learn salsa: It is always the man's fault when your lady bump into someone else. Part of learning salsa is to respect others on the dance floor. Always be on alert and look at your surronding during the dance and don't direct your lady towards the direction that you know she is going to hit someone or you going towards a direction that is going to hit someone. I see beginner dancer that they are smiling while dancing and they are in their own world. Look, you don't own the dance floor and hence you should act like a more resposible citizen on the dance floor.
And here is a tip for the
And here is a tip for the dancers who think they are advanced dancers: respect others on the dance floor, even if they are beginners. Don't do you fancy dip and drop in a crowded club. It's a night club, not dance studio.
it is ok to do your dips
it is ok to do your dips when you have an area to do it regards less of the space. It doesn't matter what level you are just respect others. you can do any move you want as long as your timing is o.k. Also beginners please take serious dance lessons. Don't think that just by coming to clubs you will get better. And if you are really really serious about salsa (which 90% of people who go to habana aren't) come to the socials. It is the best venue for serious salserous. you have to realize salsa is a culture and a way of life. it is not ike going to disco and dancing to top 40 music. It is similar to going to a karate workout where everybidy interact in a highly structured manner.
Just Cool Down with the Begginers!
Everyone needed to cool down and stop picking on the begginers. Just remember at one point of your life, you were all a begginer, just because you have got better dont give you the right to pick on begginers. Salsa is for everyone to enjoy, you don't have to be good to dance salsa. in fact it will take sometime before beginners are able to learn to how to dance salsa.
Be glad that you have a place to dance salsa, even if is not the best place to learn or practice salsa is the place that have allow you to dance and enjoy the salsa. So next time you are dancing salsa and you see a new begginers dancing salsa, just remember that the person used to be you not so long ago.
Thank you Ya Salsa!
Agree - not a safe place to dance
This bar is a lot nicer than Heidelberg but the floor is way way too small to dance. My partner and I both got kicked several times and we left. Too bad, it would be nice to have a good bar dance floor for salsa in Ann Arbor!