Cha cha to the rum bar

Is there anyplace better than Cuba? Alright, I've never been. But I have been to Cienfuegos, which is pretty much the same thing in my mind.


From the outside of 443 E. 6th St (between 1st and Avenue A), Cienfuegos sort of looks like a diner, except that there an inordinate number of people hanging around outside, but not many people sitting at the bar.

But then, you look a little closer and realize there's a line in the back to talk to the host.

(This picture above is sort of strange because it's really just of the ceiling. But you can get an idea of the decor upstairs, which really transforms the space.)

Cienfuegos is all about rum, rum punch specifically. I've never put much thought into punch before, but believe me, somebody did. Because the punch list here is extensive. For $14 you can get an individual glass of punch, or you can get as much punch as you can afford in a silver punch bowl to share with friends. My punch was fantastic and worth the splurge.

I didn't know at the time, but the place just opened in April. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to get punch-drunk or for a group of friends who have something special to celebrate.

It's especially appealing for a girl gathering. There's something girly about the colors and all the punch I think. And there are some good areas for group seating that looked like fun. Just please, please don't eat the food. I didn't think you could mess up sliders or cuban sandwiches. But you can. Oh, you can. Let's cut them a break since they just opened. At least they got the drinks right. Sometimes, that's all you need.