Ball & Chain

Ball & Chain was established in 1935 on SW 8th Street in Little Havana. Today it is a bar, restaurant and live music venue whose history, as it puts it, is as rich as the Calle Ocho neighbourhood around it. It is a natural evening stop on any visit to the area.

Music runs through most of the day. The house band, the Ball & Chain Trio, plays in the afternoons, and evenings bring themed nights such as Mambo Mondays, BachaTuesdays, Sabor Wednesday, Miami Boheme on Friday, La Pachanga on Saturday and Salsero Sundays, alongside live jazz sessions. The outdoor area includes a stage known as the Pineapple Stage. If you want to dance, the salsa and bachata nights are the ones to aim for; if you prefer to listen, an afternoon set is calmer.

The bar serves cocktails and a Cuban menu of tapas and Cuban classics, with lunch specials and dinner daily, so you can make an evening of it without moving on. Opening hours start at 11am every day. It closes at midnight on Monday, at 1am from Tuesday to Thursday and on Sunday, and at 3am on Friday and Saturday. Larger groups are advised to book a table in advance.

Ball & Chain suits couples, groups of friends and anyone who wants to experience Little Havana's music scene. Afternoons are relaxed enough for families, while late evenings at the weekend are busier and more of a party. Check the website for the current schedule, as performers and themed nights change.

If you are planning a night of dancing, it helps to check which themed night falls on your visit, as the style of music changes through the week, from mambo on Monday to salsa on Sunday. Comfortable shoes are a good idea, and arriving before the late-evening rush makes it easier to find a table near the music.

The bar is at 1513 SW 8th Street, next to Azucar Ice Cream Company and close to the Tower Theater at 1508 SW 8th Street, so it is easy to combine with a walk along the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame and a visit to Domino Park. Café La Trova at 971 SW 8th Street is a good second stop for cocktails. Taxis and ride-shares are the simplest way to get there and back, especially late at night.