Came here Friday night around 11 pm with some friends for someone's birthday. Â There was no line and we walked straight in, however this does not mean that the place was empty. Â The place was filled with drunken guys and gals dancing and having a blast. Â Besides being a bar, this place is also a cigar shop. Â I didn't venture into the cigar shop, but everyone around me was smoking cigars. Â Be prepared to reek of cigar smokes, shirt and pants. Â Its an extremely potent and powerful smell that just lingers in your clothes. Â
The drinks were reasonably priced. Â About $8 for a tall pint glass of Stone IPA and $dollars for a screwdriver. Â There were a good amount of tables and places to sit, even for us who had a huge party. Â Outside is a DJ spinning music, mostly hip-hop, and a dance floor for people to dance the night away. Â Overall not a bad place to come for drinks and a smoke. Â Also, they have a bunch of TVs around the bar, all set to ESPN, so that was a plus for me.
We went on a Thursday night and had a great time. Â The bartender was very nice and welcoming. Â We each had a huge michelada... Which they call Bay of Pigs. Â They use Modelo beer for it. I also had a cigar, which they recommended and it was excellent. Â I've actually been to Cuba so I know a good cigar. Â The regulars were very welcoming. Â
I didn't give it 5 stars because I was already tipsy when we got there, so my judgment could be off a bit. Â I will return soon!
Has to be my favorite place in Alhambra, by far. A must is the bay of pigs ($9) and all drafts are usually $7 and they have about 15 types. Smokes are available in their walk in humidor for a fair price. No food here. Dj always playing food music: top 40, hip hop, flashbacks, some disco. Crowd is a mix. There are days when it's a sausage fest so keep an eye out for any douchers on those days. Other than that, a great place to be. Towards the night when it gets crowded, they remove most of the tables and chairs, leaving many to stand. All in all, a great place.
Review Source:Wish they had food. Happy hour m-f 4 dollar well drinks
The drinks were okay. Â The only food was a can of Planter's peanuts. Â You have a great location for a place with some Cuban tapas to go with your drinks and smokes. Â But they have no food. Â I went when they opened at 4 pm, and I was lucky cause there was a long list of rules by the door I didn't have to adhere to. Â No wallet chains. No white t-shirts (I had a printed shirt and it wasn't white but still. Â Yet I do understand their need to keep gangbangers out since East L.A. is so close). No team insignia (I think I was wearing the Yankees cap I wear a few days a week). The humidor looked good. Â The cigars looked good. You could smoke cigarettes inside, which is a plus for smokers. Â It's just not a great place. It's small. The drinks are okay. I imagine it's a nightmare on nights and especially weekends. Â These seem to be the only bar/clubs in the area. Â I just wish they aspired to more.
i've been here countless amounts of times and never had a problem getting in, the bartenders are super friendly and the drinks are always good. i'm a smoker so i love the fact that you can smoke in here. if and when you come here you MUST get a bay of pigs!! probably the best i've ever had!
Review Source:I am a local and loyal customer for 6 years, and never been mistreated by a doorman/security/bouncer who don't have a logical reason to not allow me entrance besides utilizing the power that is loaned to them for the night. I own a customer service/sales oriented business in Hollywood and in no way would I allow my employee's to treat anyone with such mannerism.
***Story Below***
Between 1:05 and 1:12 AM I dropped off two friends in front of Havana House because they were wearing heel type shoe's. Re-park my vehicle and the door-man wearing brown leather jacket says "We are not letting anyone in" my reply, "That's fine I have two friend's who are inside "can I go get them? (which I never had a problem at any club, bar, or lounge) because I don't have my phone" he said" I don't know how I can help you there" I was fine with that maybe the doorman wanted to purge people for the night.  So I waited by the curb for my friend's and in less than 30 seconds doorman in leather jacket had the audacity to allow two people to walk in? I approach the doorman in leather jacket and his trained remark is  "We have the right to refuse service to anyone"
This is my GO-TO bar on the weekdays to catch up with my bestie ... mainly because i'm a smoker. gross, i know.
Parking: Street/Private lot. If you're lucky you can find a parking spot behind boiling crab and charlie's trio off of First St. and Main St. or even on the residential streets. I never really had a problem finding parking during the weekdays (mon-thur) but my friend has had to pay for valet because there was just absolutely no parking ):
Service: The security guards can be dicks every so often but whatever. The bartenders are usually pretty chill and attentive. Since I come here to catch up with one of my best friends and we tend to get caught up in conversations, I never notice when they clean the ash tray and there's been times where i feel like my cig. butts and ash just vanished into thin air. hahahah.
Decor: they have an outdoor patio but this is more like the dance floor, i suppose. the dj is set up out here too. There's tables along the wall as you walk in past the patio and then theres the bar. meh. kind of awkward if you ask me..
I only get the coronas when i come here and they're $5. i think on tuesdays they have $2 martinis but i've never reallly been a crazy martini fan.
here's some quick pros and cons!
Pros:
+_you can smoke indoors
+_service is fast/friendly
+_clean
Cons:
+_music gets WAYY too loud on thursdays-saturdays. It's like they try to turn their patio into a club or something.. idk but it's kind of annoying. D: X:
+_parking
+_awkward layout of the place
toooodlessss!
They have great music, the ambiance is real chill, and til I encountered the douchiest of bartenders the friendliest staff!  So apparently its fround upon to be the designated driver!  I ordered a sprite on the rocks  trying to joke around, yet the bartender didn't think I was funny instead he walked away and I wasn't sure if he had heard me yet he made a comment to the other bartender they bother laughed and he just gave me my drink.  I was like I'm going to pay you for the drink and tip you.. Jerk!  Well Needles to say the remainder of the night I got my non alcoholic beverages from another bartender and I still managed to have an awesome night!
Review Source:I have to admit, I'm a fan of dark places that serve alcohol and let you smoke inside. In this case, I had a cigar, but cigarettes are fine as well. Never did the air inside get too suffocating or heavy because its well ventilated.
I didn't have drinks there so I wouldn't know how much they were or if they're good. But the guy who was working there was very friendly and service was great.
I was a little apprehensive to come here, considering I don't smoke and I don't like being around smoke. The one and ONLY reason I considered this spot was for "$2 Martini Tuesdays" last night. It was my birthday and I didn't feel like going all out, just wanted to have a chill night with some drinks.
I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. The bartender was a bit of a douchebag, and the drinks were really watery. But I guess you can't expect much for $2?
The Lemon Drop martini was equivalent to the taste of water, and the Appletini my cousin had was the same. I also ordered a Watermelon martini which was better. The only thing I can say I really liked was the Blow Job shot. Delish!
The place reeked of smoke but surprisingly it didn't bother me that much. Or maybe I just got used to it after awhile.
Not much of a crowd. Okay music. TVs displaying the bball game. Nothing fancy. Nothing great. No reason to really come back here.
21+ only
So I really am on the ropes about this havana house, the other one in Whittier is great because its a cigar lounge that serves drinks and they occasionally have a show or two. This one is just like that one, but more on the club side.
You know I like drinking, I like hearing loud music, I like dancing. This place kind of got me by surprise. I just wanted a beer and a place to have my smoke. To my surprise, an entire DJ set was up and running and playing music as groups of people started flooding in. A man can't even have a beer and a smoke without walking into a party these days.
Its a good place to visit. Heads up, Alhambra Police have a no BS attitude around main st.
I've only been here twice but was pretty happy both times.
I should note that both times were non-club hours.
This is one of the few places were I can bring and smoke my own cigars, get a drink, and the watch the game. They also have a pretty decent selection of cigars if  you don't have your own to bring or just forgot yours.  If they have free wi-fi I might move in.
I prefer the lounge setting in back which is separate from the bar and away from the noise. Last time I was there I meet two decent guys to chat with and exchange some intelligent conversation while enjoying a smoke.
I rated this place 3 stars because the first time I was there they ran out of mint for mojitos. This is a Cuban themed place right? The second time I was there the bartender and manager was throwing back shots with the customers. The bartender seemed a little too happy and bubbly.
It really didn't matter too much to me but I felt that a place that was trying to cater to the upscale crowd, imo, maybe I'm wrong, shouldn't have the employees getting hammered with the patrons. Â
They don't serve food but I think that is why you are allowed to smoke indoors and if  you can't find something great to eat in Alhambra then you just suck.
I'm not a cigar smoker, but my hubby is, and he enjoys coming to this place every once in a while. Â Personally, I think the best times to come and relax are during the afternoons/evenings, before it gets too crowded and/or loud.
Service is friendly here.
Parking's a pain in the butt.
I may not look like the type, but I do like a guy with a big stogie! Â Havana House has plenty of those available. Â I like to lounge and mope around here from time to time. Sometimes the smell can get me wanting to urn for a sweet smelling pipe as well. I can go on and on about these things...
Oh did I forget to mention they have awesome drinks and happy hour! Â Score!
XxOo
And yes folks, may not look it but I am old enough to drink and put you under the table! Â ;P
I can't really say much about this place...it doesn't leave you with much of a memorable experience...just as my 2 stars says, "meh..."
My mojito was nothing to be excited about. The service and bartenders were friendly and accommodating. Their ice water was pretty darn good ;P
If you want food, you place your order from the menu with the bartender and a waiter from Fronteras restaurant, from across the street, brings it to you. Pretty tasty taquitos and I did love their chips and salsa.
Come here if you want a no-frills environment with some around the way folks. Â Just kickin back, enjoying the smokes, and some down time after work.
I am really only a fan because I LOVE LOVE LOVE the "Bay of Pigs" (Sol beer, clamato, lemons, limes, tapatio, and pepper with a salt-trimmed glass) and their Bandera Shots which includes a shot of clamato, a shot of tequila, and a shot of lime juice.
Other than that, I am not a fan of the people that tend to go here. It used to have a lot more class but the last three times I have gone there's been fights and dirty old men attempting to grab what isn't their property! They have brought out the ghetto in me.
As far as the music goes- occasionally they have a live band play thats pretty good and entertaining.
Its a cool lil spot to hang out with a good group of friends just to chill and have your guy friends smoke a cigar. My boyfriend smokes his cigar-I have my bay of pigs and all is well with the world.
Ps. After 2am you get ticketed if your parking on the street without a permit. So beware.
The drinks are good, but depends on the bartender how quickly we get served. Steve and jen are cool. I miss junior, he made the best chocolate martinis ever. Oh well. The mojitos here are really good too. One of the few places where u can smoke inside. If going home reeking of smoke isn't your thing then I would avoid this place.
As a sports bar this place is great, but be prepared to go super early if u want to get seats for a laker game. However they don't open for afternoon weekend games.
After a certain hour they get rid of all the tables and it becomes a jam packed dance club. Dancing out on the patio and a meat market and gauntlet of men inside. I love the music that they play here, mainstream hip hop and some reggaeton. Fun to dance to.
The guys there are the poppin'-their-collar kinda guys and the girls are decked out in hoochie wear. Â Fun times. And I just have to mention they have the craziest jet propulsion strong air dryer thingey in the bathroom.
This place sucks. I went there when it first opened a while back to check it out and have some drinks after working on a car so I was a bit dirty, and as soon as my friend and I walked in, the staff and the patrons made us feel unwelcome. That's pretty stupid of them because I love droppin' cash for drinks. The bartender kept ignoring us even after hefty tips until it got to the point when one of the employees accused my friend of stealing some gum. That was bullshit! I'm sure we make more money than most of the losers that hang out at this crappy place.
So of cousre I got up and started talking shit as they were kicking us out. Now, I've been kicked out of plenty of bars, but this time on the way out one of the patrons said, "You guys are funny."
"How do you mean?" I replied.
"You guys don't belong in here."
So that's when I reached acrossed the table and punched him in the face. Before I know it, half the bar is on top of me. I'm dragging dudes out of the into the sidewalk to fight. (I didn't want to damage any property...I'm curteous like that.) So I'm getting jumped by the fat security and stupid wanna be pretty boys until it was time to bail. I've been arrested enough times thank you very much.
Well to make a long story short. This place is full of snobs who don't like serving drinks to real hard working men like myself. I guess I'll stick to the dives where they don't care what you look like. HAVANA HOUSE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Â!!
The wait staff is awful, with the exception of the bartenders. Â A couple of weekends ago, a group of us met up there for drinks. It was approximately 11:30pm and I had noticed that the there were 2 tables that had "reserved" signs. They had been vacant for quite some time. I asked one of the waiters about it and he said it was okay to sit there. He said it was okay considering the time as long as we ordered drinks from the waitress. Â Then about 5 minutes later the waitress comes up to us with an attitude (kind of angry) and says we can only stay there if we order drinks from her and we agreed and she left immediately before I ordered a drink. So for the next 5-10 minutes, I was trying to get her attention so I can order a drink.
She looked upset. Then another person came, what seemed to be a shift supervisor, and asked us to leave because it was reserved. We explained as to why we were sitting there; because of what the waiter and the waitress said, and he said no you need to get up because it was reserved (still at this late hour).
Number one, I didn't appreciate the fact that I was given wrong information 3 times. It seems like there is no set policy of any sorts. People make up policies as they go along and thereby upset everyone and thereby give terrible service.
Number two, the attitude. Â I don't like how we were talked to and treated like we were stupid and like we were repeated offenders; this was our first time there and obviously the last. Â I work in customer service and deal with assholes everyday and we were very nice toward her. We gave her no reason to be treated like that. Â Oh and lets not forget the shift supervisor, his attitude wasn't that great as well.
In addition, there should be a limit as to how many people are in the establishment at one time, esp. since it's a small space and no one can sit there unless you have a reservation or are smoking.
It's unfortunate that we had to go through this, but the wait staff, esp. that one girl, need to take customer service classes.
Hey you wanna hangout and smoke a torpedo!
The Havana House is a little hang-out here in Alhambra. I go here to chill and breath in the aromas of 2nd hand cigar smoke.
They have their very own walk in Humidor in the back where you can try one of many different brands of cigars. My favorite the AVO cigar full flavor. Â Come here with your buddies and hang-out have a beer or two or three and take in the scenery. FYI, no food here just drinks and smokes.
We were invited to the Havana House this past Saturday night for a friend's birthday celebration. Â Was here for approximately an hour with my fiance, and I kid you not.... our ears were ringing for a full 24 hours afterward. Â They are actually just now getting back to normal, and I hope that I didn't do any permanent damage to them. Â The whole time we were there, I was trying to shield them from the obnoxious treble torture that they were playing. Â Not a fan of hiphop to begin with, but I was a good sport..... it's just that when it starts to make my ears bleed, that's where I have to draw the line. Â My fiance sufferred the same fate with his ears, so don't just think I'm being whiney and overly sensitive.
Other than nearly crippling my senses, the place seemed cool. Â Nice layout, you can smoke if you want to, people seemed nice, etc. Â Not my scene, but no other complaints except for the poor sound output. Â
I'm sure this place is making money hand over fist, time to invest in some 21st Century speakers!
I have a love/hate relationship with Havana House.
Love:
Seating
Drinks
Music
Good location
See old friends there
Hate:
I don't like smoke, I also don't like that I reek like a humidor when I get home.
They take away the tables at a certain time.
You run into people you don't like because of its central location
Overall, I do like to hang out here every once in awhile. While it's not everyone's cup of tea, I do love the Bay of Pigs that is Sol beer, Clamato, lemons, limes, Tapatio, and pepper in a salt-rimmed pilsner glass.
And they have Martini Tuesday where martinis are ridiculously priced at $2. They have a variety of flavors and they are not chintzy with the booze. ;)
Pros (make that "PRO"):
- Havana House is on point for a quick drink after work - you can never go wrong with a michelada - served super cold, with tons of lemon juice, and Tapatio. Price is also pretty reasonable.
Cons:
- Small spaces do not work for "club" nights -Forgive me if I'm bias, but I don't care for bars being turned into clubs with promoters and bottle service. It's a bar and cigar house, let's maintain it's integrity.
- The music, on said club nights, is EXTREMELY loud... True, music gets you going the louder it gets, but when all you hear are the jumbled vibrations from too much bass, it's time to bring it down a notch.
I've gone a few times and I'll probably go again (I live close by and it's a pretty central spot) but it's not my first choice.
I like this place, this is the type of place you go with a few friends and knock back a few. They have a cover band on wed and I beleive sun.
Not the typical spot you go to hook up, more of a spot were you sociallize among your friends and enjoy the music.
Cons: Place is small and your packed like sardins. Thursday is a real busy day and there usualy is a line to get in. If your not a regular or the bouncer doesnt know you, forget about cutting in line.
Pros: I really enjoy the cover band and on thursday the dj is preety good. They have a Cigar shop on location, so if you whant to blaze a puro, your covered.
RECOMMENDATION: Â Apple Martini.
well i haven't been to this place in a long while..but i use to go every tues. because of their $2.00 martini. Â they give you a great selection of martinis too. Â therefore, i recommend this place for everyone who wants to get a BANG FOR THEIR BUCK!! :) Â they also have a good choice of cigars also.. therefore, come in ready to lounge and chill..BUT be sure to beat the crowd b/c the line gets long and crazy and the place gets too packed like a can of sardines.
Here's the deal, yo. They've got cigars and booze. So in theory, I should give them 5 stars. But they don't serve food, so when I'm getting my happy hour on, I'd like to have some sustenance to snack on.
I've only been here a few times, Â in the late afternoon hours, which means happy hour (3-7). On Tuesdays they have a martini specials for $2-3 and Wednesdays they have all kinds of flavored mojitos for $3. During happy hour, well drinks are $3 and so are beers. I was pretty happy with my well mojito ($3). The bar tender was cool and and the drinks were well mixed and decent strength.
I'd come back, especially if I was hankering, yes, I said hankering, for a cigar. Especially a vanilla one....mmmmm.
Ok, I'm torn about this place....
On one hand, good music, room to sit (which is all too rare these days) and best drink in the world (aka the Bay of Pigs. Â Beer, yum. Â Clamato, yum. Beer and Clamato with lemons, limes and tapatio, yummer)
The eye candy is decent in the way that I don't feel like the ugliest person in the bar who has no shot but there still a variety of chorizo to choose from.
HOWEVER. Â I have allergies. Â And wouldn't you fucking know it, everytime I come here the cigar smoke kicks my ass. Â The next day I'm all coughing nad wheezing and that, my friends, is not sexy.
And, maybe it's just me and my lack of sparkle, but dude, what is with the people at this place just not mixing it up and talking to each other?? I mean, I know you're here with your friends and you guys are super cool and all, but it wouldn't kill you to be friendly and start a random conversation. Â And not that "Hey I think I'm gonna try and fuck her" conversation, just friendly banter for Christs sake!
But as long as I know a few ppl there and I only take like 3 breaths, I guess I'm ok. Â But for the non smokers out there, this place may cost too much in claratin and fabreeze.
What kind of damn Cuban themed bar and cigar lounge is out of mint and can't make mojitos?
Blah.
I ended up getting Malibu and pineapple because their rum selection is terrible. They just have the usual suspects; Malibu, Barcadi and Captain Morgan's. Yikes, do they have the average cigars for purchase too? The drink was $7 which is kind pricey considering the size of it and the area.
The crowd was a little bit older. A lot of ex-military and aging hoochies. I went to the restroom and one stall had been blocked off, some chick couldn't wait and went into that filthy restroom. Ugh, no.
At least the pink haired Jager girls going around were amusing us, handing out leis and talking about $6 jager shots.
After we got our drinks, the bouncers came around and removed all the bar stools which killed the mood. We left and went next door to Azul.
This place is a nice find. Â Sometimes it's a bit too crowded to dance or even move so you better arrive early. Â
The drink that really makes it worth it is the bay of pig. Â It's unique and satisfying. Â
Also try to dress up a bit, cause if you are a guy the bouncer is a bit of an ass at times. Â So try to dress up a bit or he won't let you in.
What a wonderful jewel in Alhambra!
I went there for the first time on a Wednesday with some of my girls for happy hour! It's a bit smaller inside than I had anticipated but we really had a good time, tv's all around, music in the background and the fact we could smoke cigars in there was a big plus, yes of course you will stink of rolled tobacco, but that's why we have access to dry cleaners. It's a great place to stop for drinks, and enjoy some after 'work time' with the girls, we will definitely head back!
Home away from home. My friends like to go here ALOT, it's their Cheers, where everyone knows their name, and likewise. The bartenders and staff are friendly, and treat you right. They poor a good size beer, and you'll regret not trying at least once, their Michelada. There is a small dance floor, if you're into that sort of thing, but it's very tight, and there is a band that plays once a week.
This place can get very crowded, too crowded, they can really pack them in sometimes. Another thing about this place is that you take it home with you. Your clothes and hair will wreak of smoke the next day, fun. See you there! *cough cough*
I gotta try this place another night, because on a Wednesday night, it wasn't my cup of tea.
The live band's music volume was atrocious. Just to converse, not only did I have to yell, but I had to yell in my friend's ear. That got annoying, fast.
There weren't many seats, so as you can imagine, nearly everyone had to stand. That's wack, in my book.
And as other reviewers have said, you'll smell like smoke, and the place is small.
Probably not the best place to go to if you're a non-smoker.
Since this is partially a cigar shop, people feel free to light up even inside the actual bar.
But don't despair. After a while, the atmosphere of the place makes you feel right at home.
The bartenders are incredibly nice and helpful. It does not take a while for you to order a drink (unlike some other establishments, that make you wait for half an hour before you can even place an order). The bar is pretty small, so the bartenders notice you more easily. And they happen to make the tastiest mojitos I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. Absolutely divine! And their watermelon martinis aren't bad, either.
Also, they usually have a live band playing inside the bar. This makes it a really great place to go to and unwind. Sing, dance, drink... You're bound to have a great time.
AZUUUUCAAAAR! As the amazing Celia Cruz would have said...
This place is the bomb dizzle! ahaha.. did I really just say that?? Anyway, seriously, this place is fun. Having gone to college out of state I moved back here and had no idea where the cool places in L.A. were to hang out, have a drink, and DANCE! Fortunately I have a very cool cousin that first took me to Havana House on a Tuesday night for $2 martini's and I fell in loooove, well... kinda.
Ok, so the line was sooooooooooo long, but one of the girls in the group dated one of the bouncers so we got to cut... WOO HOO! As soon as we got in we went straight to the bar and got out first round of martinis. I expected them to be super weak (Screech status, as I like to say) but they were actually pretty darn good and actually a little too strong for my taste (please keep in mind that I'm a lightweight).
Anyway, we ended up having a great time, dancing away to the surprisingly good mix the DJ was playing.
A week or so later we went back on a Wednesday night for the $2 mojitos and had pretty much the same experience. I've gone back a few times since and have realized that this is one of those places that never fails to be a good time.
My only gripes with this place are
1. it can get WAAAAY to crowded
and
2. people are allowed to smoke indoors so my hair and clothes stink after I leave, which is expecially annoying after I went through the trouble of blowdrying my hair that night and now have to wash it again tomorrow morning... ARGH!!! girls, you feel me on this one?
P.S. I feel like I can't really give it a full review because I'm not a smoker and it seems as if a lot of people come to this place specifically for the humidor, cigars and the fact that you can smoke indoors
I have to disagree with the reviewer below me. Im not a resident of Alhambra, but with all the good restaurants, bars, Â and the fact that its only a stones throw away from Pasadena, its definitely a place to be at.
Now to the review....
I went to Havana House last Friday (8/4/06) for the first time ever. My g/f was having a pre-birthday celebration so a few friends and co-workers made the drive. When we got there, around 7pm, there was already a good crowd. The first thing I noticed was that the place was very small. Not a whole lot of room, which became a huge factor later in the evening. The atmosphere was pretty lade back and the service staff was very attentive. The first drink I had was very strong, but soon after they switched bartenders and the subsequent drinks were pretty soft.
By around 11pm the place was swarming with people. Literally it was packed like sardines. I made a stupid decision to go outside for air, and it became almost impossible for me to get back in. This place doesnt cover charge so if you leave, you have to get back in line. At that point I just paid my $100 tab and called it a night.
The place has a cool humidor and if you like smoking cigars and drinking, this is an excellent place to go.
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