A Latin flavor to night life

WARM summer nights tease the young and the young-at-heart to find a cool place to ride the evening away, in a fun way.

There is such a place. Cubana Lounge Bar is the newest chill out spot in midtown Cebu. Located in Manros Plaza along Gen. Maxilom Ave., it opened on Feb, 22 with the promise that the drinks and the food menu will constantly evolve to please its customers, in time for its grand opening during the summer.

Its kitchen, under chef Ulysis Paragozo, offers a choice of Mediterranean and Filipino favorites, like gambas al ajillo, salpicao, crab Rangoon with cream cheese, chicken barbecue and chicken croquettes.

The owner, CO Daltas Inc., is a dynamic team that aims to bring “a colorful new venue to the Cebu scene, targeting young professionals, established career people and those
who believe that variety is the spice of life.”

Towards this end, the company made extensive renovation to its premises, to include an outdoor terrace bar where night owls can smoke Cuban cigars. The indoor lounge and bar, a few steps down, has a spacious feel, with a U-shaped bar in the middle and beyond it, space for tables and chairs and an open area for dancing. There is also a stage for variety shows that will spice up the night life of Cebu City. Comfortable lounge seats are at the side, plus space for VIP seating at one end.

The bar has a large choice of drinks, from beers to heady cocktails, with Cuban concoctions like the classic mojito (with white rum, lime and mint); the literary-sounding but equally good Hemingway (with gin, vodka, pineapple and grenadine); and Cubana cooler (vodka, calamansi, mint, cucumber, orange and lime) to toast with friends: Salud!

The lounge “progresses into a club environment” as the night lingers with the fun; house and guest DJs play chill out tunes to start the evening and then increase the energy as the night dwindles into dawn.

Dance shows, live music and other types of entertainment add variety to the DJ music mix. With laser light and funky and danceable tunes, partyphiles have the choice of just dancing the night away.

Asked why the name ”Cubana” when the menu does not yet carry true Cuban food, the owners said: “The name Cubana was chosen—to add a little Latin flavor” to the c lub, to give the Latin tempo and musicality to its music mix, “without replacing, of course, the most popular dance anthems that would be known to all.”

The owners say “Cubana’s mission is to satisfy the customers and give them a good night out. It is our aim that people will enjoy themselves and return again. The food should be tasty, the drinks of good quality, the staff friendly and welcoming, the music memorable and the price should be good value.”

To the night owls, the lounge bar really gives all that. Enjoy!