casa de la trova

We were in Santiago de Cuba on a day trip so didn't really have much time at all to enjoy this wonderful bar. But fortunately able to drop in for 30 minutes to see a wonderful little band play (and elderly lady with a corker of a voice and two musicians playing guitars and 'percussion'. Little seats are set up theatre style to face them as well as there being two or three tables to the side with seats too. The walls are adorned with photographs and posters including a copy of Paul McCartney's signature. The drink is cheap, just one CUC for a beer (noting that they're not very great with change so have some loose change on you). Everyone from the band (and the band changes) to the staff and the locals are ridiculously friendly and want to know about you. I'm sure you could while away hours in this lovely bar and make a lot of new friends along the way.

I can imagine this once was a great place to be in the evenings. When we arrived, there was some "famous" band playing, and so we decided we pay the 10 CUC entrance. Too bad the casa was full of some elderly tourists, so everyone just sat there and didn't even move to the (overly loud) music. They played technically fine, but... We left after an hour, bored. I think there are many places in the city where you can have more fun for less. The drinks were fine though...

The Casa de la Trova, despite being a tourist destination, is nonetheless worth a visit. The live music the night we went was great and it's a fun spot. Even though it caters to tourists, the admission is reasonable (5 CUC) as are the drinks.Take a moment to go out on to the balcony overlooking the street below and watch life pass by. Another show in itself.there are also concerts during the daytime and you can even just stand outside and listen to the lively music. Only drawback is all the people crowded around the street (locals also enjoying the music, a good sign), constantly asking for money or gifts.

We visited Casa de La Trova in February with a few of our Group. It was great fun as we sat upstairs with our wonderful Mojitos and enjoyed the freedom of the Salsa being danced on the small dance floor, by Professionals and amateurs alike. The music is fun and people watching even better. With the doors all open to the balconies, and the balmy night air, it really felt like we were part of the real Cuba, even though it is obviously very touristy. The music is so joyful that you cannot help swaying along. I would have loved to have got up and danced, but sadly had not got the nerve.

I passed by here like 2-3:00 p.m. and watched a pretty cool live. There was even a 5-6 year-old little boy playing drum there. Somebody (maybe just some audience) were dancing. I didn't actually seat there, but you can definitely do that if you want. Locals said here was the top-ranking place to enjoy the local music Trova. The location is also very central. Be sure to visit when you came to Santiago.

We went there around 06:30 pm for listening a local band and they were amazing. The crowd was mixed with locals and tourists. People were dancing and sining along. So it was already a small party. We didn't go up later so i don't know how it is upstairs. But i really can recommend it if you wanna listen to some good music. By the way; you pay 1 Cuc for entrance.

This place is such a scam which is a pity as good artist perform there. You cannot enjoy listening to the artists without someone wanting you to go their "sisters" for the best meal ever or having people trying to scam you for drinks. Go to the Casa de las Tradiciones excellent music but best of all welcoming and no one wanting to scam you as like us they were there for the music and dancing. Safe walk back to the hotel about 3 blocks to the Casa Grande

Steps from our hotel was the house of music ( Casa de la Trova). Starting at 11.00am with folk duos and classical and flamenco guitarists. The afternoon show moved to the larger room and stage. Six to eight piece bands would perform one hour sets. Excellent quality of musicianship throughout. Venerable masters to younger music students would take to the stage. CDs are for sale,I came home with a stack of them. If you are a musician or fan , guitar,violin and bass strings are appreciated by the musicians.The evening groups are all about latino and salsa with exuberant dancing by locals and tourists.and goes late into the night. Loved it! Can't recommend it enough.

Casa de Trova is the more touristy center of salsa and son in the heart of Santiago, near the Plaza Cespedes. You can recognize it by the hordes of tourists looking through the gates of the casa to the music performed inside. Better concerts are given on the upper floor. This is the place where Paul McCartney seems to have spent three hours.

I have to say that although the band was good I dont recognize the "Buena Vista Social Club" sound. It is a relative small room-upstairs-and if you wonder why the first seats in front of the band are free, it is because the guests wants to sit as far as possible from the very very big loudspeakers which blast out a very loud sound. It has nothing to do any more with "Trova= trobadour" an unplugged music and sound. Of course Buena Vista also were plugged in when they made their tour, but they were on a big scene, and here you are in a smaller place.But of course you will have to at least go in and see the place.

We had the best night dancing at the Casa de La Trova. The band was awesome and people were dancing in every available open space. It was great dancing with locals as well as tourist. I barely sat down the whole time I was there. Without a doubt I will visit Casa de La Trouva anytime I'm in Santiago.

We went to the upstairs part of the club one evening during our stay in Santiago. We sat on the balcony where we could hear the exceptional band, watch the professional and skilful amateur dancers, watch people dancing in the street outside and generally relax with some drinks. The staff were very pleasant and friendly. We really enjoyed our night. There was one negative thing; despite obviously being there as a couple, as we started to leave I was abruptly approached by one of the young women who attend the club to buy her a drink. We don't know if this is a regular occurence at the club, because the next night we went to the Patio de Artex and had no oportunities for further evenings in the Trouva to compare it to.

I cannot really add to Fillorino’s review below, except to also implore you, if you enjoy Cuban sounds, to go to the Casa de La Trova, if you visit Santiago. As mentioned, as well as being the birth place of the revolution, Santiago is the birthplace of the Buena Vista Social Club and the Casa just reeks musical history and Pedigree. Like Fillorino we caught a local band mid afternoon playing informally in the downstairs room and it was a real pleasure.If you visit Santiago on a day trip like we did and only have a few hours in the centre, then walk round the squares and back roads of the centre, and when you are ready for a drink, head to the Casa de La Trove, pay the small entrance fee, and sit back with a Mojito

Famous music club where far more famous "Buena Vista Social Club" was originated. If you visit Cuba and have enough time in Santiago, the best (and not commercial) place to listen the real Cuban music is here. Don't waste your time with "tropicana", if you really want to spend 90 CUC you will go in Havana. You can not find such performances elsewhere and you pay just 5 CUC for the entry. If you have any drink later, what you will pay are peanuts.

I have developed a deep interest in Cuban music, so when we visited Santiago de Cuba, visiting La Trova was on the top of my list. I was not disappointed. Historically, this is one of the most important music venues in the world. Important enough that it was one of Sir Paul McCartney's two stops in Santiago. Many musical forms were invented in Santiago, and many of Cuba's most important musicians got their start, and continued to play at La Trova. As you approach this beautiful old colonial building, you hear beautiful music emanating from the downstairs rooms. The place reeks history . The street level parlor is free, as is the shaded courtyard. We arrived about 3 p.m. and heard two amazing acts while enjoying the warm, friendly ambiance and a quenching cervesa. The walls are covered with paintings and photographs of Cuba's greats, and the whole experience was amazing. Later we made the mistake of leaving to find Casa de las Tradiciones, because I had read a review that suggested that it now featured the more authentic acts. What a mistake. Perhaps it was just a bad night, but the music there was not nearly as good and the atmosphere was quite seedy. You have to pay a bit to hear the evenings "bigger' bands at La Trova but it is definitely worth it. We went back a second time and again had a fantastic musical experience. If you don't do anything else in Santiago be sure to go to La Trova. Good Mohito too.