Cuba Libre Café & Bar has been lighting up Clarke Quay's entertainment scene since 2006, bringing authentic Cuban culture and the vibrant spirit of Havana's legendary bars to Singapore's premier riverside dining destination. This lively Latin American establishment perfectly captures the essence of Cuban hospitality with its contemporary dishes that blend elements from Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Spain, creating a healthier Latin American contemporary menu that celebrates the diverse flavors of the region. Located within Clarke Quay Building B on River Valley Road, Cuba Libre offers the perfect setting whether you're seeking a satisfying meal, creative cocktails, or an energetic night of dancing and live entertainment.
The restaurant's culinary offerings showcase signature dishes including the famous Mojito Chicken, a burst of unique flavors that represents one of their most celebrated creations, alongside traditional ropa vieja (slow-cooked shredded flank steak served with black beans and rice), Cuban sandwiches, tapas, tacos, pizza, and gourmet burgers. The extensive beverage program features over twenty varieties of Singapore's finest mojitos, ranging from classic preparations to innovative flavor combinations, complemented by wild varieties of rum-based cocktails, premium tequilas, martinis, Cuban specials, wines, and beers. This impressive drinks selection has established Cuba Libre as one of Singapore's premier destinations for authentic Latin American cocktails and spirits.
The entertainment experience centers around Adrenalina, a talented 6-piece band that performs seven nights a week, delivering stunning live performances with various themed social nights that keep the dance floor active until the early hours. The establishment maintains a TripAdvisor rating of 3.3 out of 5 with 139 reviews, ranked among Singapore's diverse dining scene with meals averaging around $30. The combination of authentic Cuban-inspired cuisine, extensive cocktail expertise, and nightly live music performances makes Cuba Libre an essential destination for anyone seeking to experience the passion and energy of Latin American culture in the heart of Singapore's most dynamic entertainment district.
Stayed here for a drink with my family. The service near the river tables was not very friendly or welcoming.
Prices are also too high for just average drinks.
When we paid for the bill, the lady took my Dad’s card inside without warning and processed the payment without us seeing, while we were still at our table. Poor practice 👎
Anthony Schmidt
Like many places, this one is ridiculously overpriced for no apparent reason.
I visited late in the evening when they were primarily functioning as a nightclub. The atmosphere was decent, but they had a smoke machine that let out far too much smoke, making it difficult to see the person right in front of you.
During the day, when they serve food, it seems like it could be a nice spot. However, they definitely have room for improvement, both in terms of the nightlife ambiance and their pricing.
Devanand Niranjan
We had a very disappointing experience at this bar. When we arrived, two of the bouncers stopped us at the entrance and told only us that we had to buy a drink before entering. Meanwhile, everyone else was allowed in without any such condition. We couldn’t help but feel that this was because of our skin color, which was upsetting and unfair.
We ended up buying a beer and chose to stay outside, but the whole experience left a bad impression. It felt like we were being singled out and treated differently for no valid reason. This kind of treatment is unacceptable, and we won’t be coming back.
Positive Reviews
Alyssa Ho
Cuban food is not common in Singapore, and my first try at Cuban dishes was at Cuba Libre.
The Signature Mojito Chicken, recommended by the staff, was pretty interesting. The boneless chicken thigh was drenched in tangy-sweet mango salsa, which was a first for me, as the savoury, sweet, and sour elements came into play. Despite the use of thigh meat, the chicken was slightly dry, though it was nothing too consequential as the mango salsa complemented it. To counter all the protein, the dish was served with herbed vegetables and roasted potatoes for a more balanced meal.
Accompanying the meal was my huge mason jar of Mojito that didn't seem to end no matter how much I drank — not that I am complaining! An uncommon sight, the mojitos here come with a stick of sugarcane for the OG experience. Chew on it long enough for the juice to come out and simply discard the stick afterward. Drinks here are on the stronger side, but nothing too strong that will give you a hangover, so fret not.
For a sweet ending to my meal, we had the churros with vanilla ice cream, where vanilla speckles could clearly be seen. Fried to a golden brown, the churros were coated with a layer of sugar and boasted a crispy exterior along with a soft core. You can have the ice cream and churros separately or dip the latter into the ice cream for a better experience.
Ram Ramanathan
This bar has an inside seating area with live music. They used to have a Spanish music band, but I guess the bands have changed. There is also an outside seating area, quieter, by the riverside while you watch people passing by and visiting other bars in the area.
Angeline Ong
Went there for lunch, thinking it would be crowded. But it was not. I was a tad bit worried if the food was any good, as I had read mixed reviews.
Decided to give it a go. I must say, the food is good, fresh, and well cooked. The signature Ropa Vieja tasted good. It didn't look particularly appetizing when served, but it was good for a meal! I also had the garlic tiger prawns, which were well cooked and really tasty. I've been to Cuba, and I must say the taste was quite close.
I enjoyed it. The staff were all good servers, and the service was delightful.
Mei Lin Lim
Love the vibes of the place, and the food is delicious too! The only minor point is that most of the music is predominantly Latin. If you love to dance Latin dance, the place is suitable for you, as there's a dance floor to dance along with the music. But the music was loud enough for dancing even outside! The waiter was nice and attentive to our table, addressing any inquiries.
Harivardhan Rajith Bhanuka
Love from 🇱🇰
The food was delicious.
The girl and boy who served us were pleasant.
We had beer and danced to the live band.
After a few minutes, someone from the pub asked my wife and me to buy drinks, otherwise we couldn't stay. I showed him our receipt, and he was okay. But I noticed he only asked us. That’s why I’m giving 4 stars. He shouldn't have said something like that. If truly necessary, he should have asked everyone. Because most people just went to see the live band without buying anything.
Manish Maran
The place was quite good and not too crowded. The fried chicken and loaded chicken nachos were outstanding. Hospitality was also very attentive and accommodating.
Seng Er
The pesto pizza was not bad, the chicken nachos were even better, and I was pleasantly surprised by the generous amount of virgin lime mojito that came with a natural sugarcane stick stirrer.
Ashok Sankar
Big portion size that will certainly fill you up. The music and vibe **are** inviting. The service was friendly and fast. Though we felt a little overwhelmed because all the food (four dishes) arrived together! However, the flavours were great and the alcohol choice**s were** plentiful. **All in all,** a good place for dancing, dinner, and drinks.
Siti Fatin
So happy with the new band from Cuba. My friends and I had a great time. We will be coming back every weekend to watch them. It’s so nice to hear Latin music, and the food was great!
Carissa A
Nice patio right on the water! The drinks are really pricey, but they have a happy hour where you can get 2 for 1, which works out to around $10 per beer or highball. They have mocktails, but they’re not great. The virgin mojito was $15 and really sweet. Really vibey outdoor seating, though.
Zoe
Alfresco dining overlooking the riverside.
**Fish & Chips**
The batter here definitely delivers a satisfying crunch, while the fish within remains flaky and sweet. This is, in my opinion, one of the best fish and chips in Singapore.
**Fish Fingers**
The fish fingers have a lovely golden color and a really nice crunch. I was impressed by the sheer amount of flavor in the fish fingers, as well as how tender they were on the inside, despite being delightfully crispy.
**Garlic Prawns**
Not only were they succulent, but the prawns were also beautifully infused with garlic. It's an absolute knockout of a combo.
**Chicken Bucket of 6**
Fried to crisp perfection, but the flavor was very subtle. Perfect if you prefer a more subtle taste.
**Bordeaux Blanc Sec White Wine**
A mild yet flavorful bouquet, exhibiting hints of citrus, melon, and white flowers.
Elias Tan
Decided to drop by Cuba Libre at Clarke Quay on a last-minute outing with friends, and it turned out to be a great choice! The place had an amazing vibe with a fantastic live band and lively dance music that got everyone into the groove. While the speaker volume was a bit too loud for my liking, it didn’t dampen the mood, as the crowd was clearly having a blast.
Even though I don’t drink or usually go for mocktails, I tried their virgin mojito and loved it! It was super refreshing and generously served in a large glass—definitely a highlight of the night for me.
Overall, it was a fun and memorable experience, perfect for an occasional night out.
I’m not sure about the low review score of 3.9 given to this bar—most likely it’s based on past experiences—because this bar is definitely deserving of at least a 4.3 rating.