Siboney

When I read Siboney on the marquee of this salsa club, I can't help but to hear the undulating melodies of the famous Cuban mambo by Ernesto Lecuona, in a mix of Arabian Nights with conga dancers. Entering the club, well, it's a very different scene. Far from the exotic palaces of the Middle East, Siboney is a small club where people come to dance and drink, and where mingling is not included.

The club opens up to a very long bar and a small dance floor, where thousands of dollars worth of plastic surgery are shaking their behinds. If this wasn't right in the flow of traffic, it would be the perfect spot to spend your time, but as you need to move on, you'll walk the length of the bar and reach the back of the club or seating area, which is the same size of the dance floor, offers tables, and where loungy chairs are scattered.

Siboney offers bottle service. If you think that being located on Eighth Street would make it any cheaper to get a bottle, well let me tell you the prices are average with other clubs in Miami, if not more. However, the bottle service is one of the best I have experienced ever. Without any doubt, the table service is excellent.

Unluckily, there is no VIP area at this club. Tables are pretty much first come first serve. Before you come in, you could ask if they have a table open, and you would either get one or have to chill at the bar. I have seen people order bottles at the bar also, and just spend their night at their bar stools, their bottles unmolested. Also, being with a group of girls doesn't guarantee a table.

The best way to enjoy Siboney is to come with another couple, or in a group of boys and girls. Like I said, mingling is non existing at this club. The crowd is Latin in its totality, and I have rarely seen a table of just ladies, or just guys. Also, make sure you know how to salsa, because that is it. This is a salsa club, and I haven't heard anything other than salsa, no merengue, no bachata, no cumbia.

The only thing that would really improve Siboney would be an open area or a lounge area, or just a different room other than the main room. The club has a lot of energy, but after drinking and dancing I feel that I need to air out a bit. Yes, you can go and stand on the street and reenter, but who wants that?

Parking is available at Valet Parking, there are also some spots on the streets. There is a cover charge to enter, so make sure that you are ready to dance. The crowd reminds me of the better salsa clubs in P.R. and  N.Y., although there is no professional dancing on the dance floor. I guess all the models dancing don't want to mess up their latest surgery. But all joking aside, if you want to dance salsa with some spectacular Latinas in a great place, this is the best place to spend time away from the crowds.