Havana Garage

I've been to Havana Garage many times on the weekends over the last year or so.  Overall, not impressed.  

Decor:    it's more 'garage' than Havana.  I like it but it doesn't make up for what I don't like about this place.  See gripe below.

The crowd:  It's an odd mix of old and young.  I've only been there on the weekends but the crowd tends to go from older business types who are well into an extended FAC mixed with the 20somethings who, judging by their demeanor, must stop at Havana before going to Capitol or Parliament.   Other times it's an older crowd with a few college bros or Affliction shirt types who must go in there to try their luck on the cougars.  

Service:  the cocktail waitresses are nice and do a good job, I always tip them well.  However the two older bartenders seem that they could care less.  I've been ignored many times while sitting at the bar.  The last time I was sitting at the bar I saw one of the poor waitresses cringe when one of the bartenders tried to grab ass her behind the bar.  Waitresses have to put up with enough already, they don't need the bartender that's over twice her age trying to cop a feel.  Not classy at all.      

Drinks:  This is not a place if you're into tequila or vodka.  The beer and wine selection is typical, nothing out of the ordinary.  Their Cuban drinks are mediocre as well but unless you've been to Miami and had the real stuff you won't know so I guess it doesn't matter.  

What Havana has going for it is location.  Any Howard street bar will always get a crowd.  The aren't very many bars nearby with live music that people outside of the 20-something college age bracket can go to so I imagine that's why Havana stays popular.  

My biggest gripe is that for a place trying to evoke old Havana you would think one could hear some actual Cuban music in there on occasion?  Apparently not.  As an aficionado of Latin music in general, and Cuban music especially so, I think it's criminal to have a Cuban themed bar without any Latin music.   They even have the nerve to quote Compay Segundo on their website but yet they have no Cuban music in their bar ...ever!?!?   Every time I've been in there when the band is on break or is done for the night the bartender always puts on his top 40 rock play list and it really kills the vibe.   They don't even have a decent stereo system which makes the lame music even more annoying.  When they do have live music it's the usual white guys playing blues or a typical Jimmy Buffet cover band.  I wish they'd feature more Jazz but apparently that's still hard to do in Omaha.

Overall Havana is okay, but that's only because there's really no competition.  Each time I leave there I can't help think what it'd be like if an actual Cuban guy owned the place.

Great shop. Sit outside weather permitting. Nice humidor downstairs and great shop around corner (SG Roi) I think are owned by the same folks. Friendly staff, good people watching, met cool people grabbing a smoke several afternoons while waiting for flights out of Omaha.

Other than the drunken creeper who's slurring-pestering was a bit annoying and my near-fainting spell from the thick haze of cigar smoke, I really liked my first visit to HG.

On a Saturday night just before the holidays, every table was jammed up with shiney happy people listing to a little live music while sipping on a cocktail and smokin' their cigars. We scooted up to the bar for a post-dinner cocktail and smoke. HG offers decent beer choices, so-so wine options and an excellent liquor selection. I'm not really a cigar smoker, so can't comment on selection, but the one they recommended we try was a-okay (cigars just aren't my thing, nor will they ever be). Bartenders are great. They're friendly, funny, prompt and know how to mix a nice cocktail.

I can see how HG has a loyal following. Even on my first visit, you sense immediately how you can become a regular. I look forward to a summer visit - I hear they have a patio as well and I do LOVE a patio.