Pull out your white linen pants and bikini, we’re partying at Havana. The beloved salsa destination, The Havana Club, reopened its doors on January 30. One of the last to close up shop, The Havana Club formerly sat in the heart of the Buckhead club district. Before it was shut down to pave way for the “Streets of Buckhead” project. Some clubs got a lot of flack from the “crack down on Buckhead bars” movement. The Havana Club? Nah. They knew it was time for an upgrade.
Situated on Piedmont Road, in the heart of the new Buckhead club district, The Havana Club is completely different than the last. A massive 15,000 square feet, the new location boasts three distinct rooms all inspired by the luxury of Havana. The tiled floor looks like it might have been snatched from Cuba’s port-hopping pirates, palm trees hover near by and the plush leather seats make you want the pool boy to come over with a pitcher. Owner Mahesh Harjani says, “I took inspiration from the luxury of old-world Havana and blended it with rich, contemporary details to provide a historic, multi-dimensional atmosphere.”
The first of the three rooms, Stage, has a 360 degree platform perfect for live bands. But when the stage isn’t occupied by rockin’ recording artists, a brand new custom lighting and sound system plays in sync with Top 40s artists like Black Eye Peas and Lady Gaga and rock fans favorites like Metallica, U2 and Pink Floyd. Twinkling lights glow like stars on hot summer night from all corners of the room, and the 360 degree bar covered in small pearly white tiles, with its bleach-white leather bar chairs could light up your whole day.
In the second room, Studio, “bailarines” bust out their traditional “vestidos,” and lace up their leather jazz shoes and ballroom heels to dance up a storm. Early birds enjoy a dance class to brush up on their Salsa and Merengue footworking skills. Good thing this floor was made for dancin’. Finally, the third room, Gallery, is an event space showcasing art exhibits, fashion shows, charity events, car shows and miscellaneous fundraisers. It’s basically a blank canvas for any fun event you have in mind.
With a robust wine selection, on-site mojito mixers and experts(yep, the real thing, not just the bottled Bacardi Mojito malt), and parking for as far as the eye can see, The Havana Club seems destined to be the club of choice for the Buckhead crowd. “Atlanta doesn’t have a nightclub for the mature, sophisticated crowd. We want to provide a nightclub for this demographic without the headache or superficiality. No long lines, hassle-free parking and a genuinely thoughtful staff,” Harjani says.