BALL & CHAIN

"This place has a pulse. Ball & Chain has been on Calle Ocho since 1935 and you can feel the history the second you walk in: green walls covered in old photos of the greats who played here, a house band setting up right by the front door, and cigars for sale in a lit humidor by the bar. Then you push through to the back and it opens up into this leafy patio with a giant clamshell stage shaped like a pineapple, red couches everywhere, misting fans, palm trees. It is genuinely a cool room. Live music, mojitos, people actually dancing. This is the Miami you came to see. Honest notes so you go in smart. It is world famous, which means it is a tourist stop, which means prices are what you would expect and it fills up fast, especially when there is a game on the big screen or a band playing. Service can lag when it is slammed. Drinks are good but you are paying for the address and the vibe as much as the pour. Go for the atmosphere and the music, not for a quiet conversation. Four stars because the place is a legend and the back patio earns it, minus one for the tourist tax and the crowds. Still, if you are in Little Havana, you go. Simple as that."

"Being at this place, listening to music, sipping a mojito, and getting to understand that you are sitting in a 90-year-old pub was absolutely amazing. The ambience was absolutely eclectic, with live music all the while I was sitting there. Everyone was enjoying the salsa, and usually everyone gets up and starts dancing to the beats. The atmosphere is that infectious. I spent about five hours at the place and did not feel bored for even a second. Absolutely loved it. I tried their Jerk Roasted Chicken Wings, and they were fabulous. Also tried their Margaritas and Mojito, and they were good."

"My friend and I had heard about the free salsa lesson at Ball & Chain on Wednesdays and decided to finally check it out, and I’m so glad we did. The salsa class ran from 9 to 10 and was such a great experience. The instructor was upbeat, engaging, and had great dance moves, calling out the steps as the dance floor gradually started filling up. After the lesson, people stayed for the live band, which was amazing, playing a mix of popular songs and keeping the energy going all night. There were dancers of all levels, and everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly, people danced with everybody, which made the whole atmosphere feel fun and inclusive. It was honestly a joy to be there and meet so many interesting characters. The staff were wonderful too, from the bouncer outside to the bartender, everyone was kind and welcoming. We even found out Karol G’s conga player was performing with the band that night, which made the experience even cooler. Between the class and all the dancing afterward, it definitely turned into a workout, but the best kind."