Myriad Recommends: Havana 1920 & El Chingon, Gaslamp
We took the photos and video in this post from upstairs at Havana 1920 during a myriad of happy hours — our favorite time to go.
Gaslamp happy hour deals are genuinely one of the best parts of this neighborhood, and Havana 1920 is where we continue to land when we want to feel like we've been transported to a different beach, across time.
The vibe
This is a put-your-phone-away kind of place — ideally draped in linen, watching the street below, sipping a drink, working through the bocadito platter.
Except you won't actually put your phone away, because the decor demands photos: the tabletops, the wall art, the wicker leaf-style ceiling fans that were basically built for a boomerang (just ask our millennial founder).
Two menus, one table
Havana 1920 shares a kitchen and a wall with its sibling restaurant, El Chingon, so you can order off either menu without moving. That's genuinely useful for groups — it covers the adventure-vs-familiar split that shows up at almost every group meal. And if someone in your party can't handle the heat they associate with Mexican food, Cuban food isn't spicy, so it's an easy alternative that still feels like a real choice, not a compromise.
We have been ending up in the fusion section a lot lately. El Chingon describes its Mexican Cuban as a twist on the classic Cuban sandwich, "featuring slow braised beef birria, melted Swiss cheese, pickled jalapeños, mustard" — all pressed between Cuban bread. (Per El Chingon's menu, as of August 2026 — menus change, so double-check before you order.) The plantains and empanadas are also regulars on our table.
Go during happy hour and you can unlock deals that let you try even more of the menu without the bill climbing much. Havana 1920's website lists daily happy hour specials, including an industry night on weekends — worth knowing if you work in food, service, or events in this neighborhood, since we've run into other local vendors and industry folks there ourselves.
One thing we haven't personally verified: their site mentions a fee for card payments. If you're planning to pay cash anyway, there may be a small win there — we just haven't confirmed the details ourselves as of August 2026, so ask when you arrive.
Where to sit
Window seats are best on a sunny and warm day, when there's real street life to watch.
If that's not your scene, there's bar seating, more intimate table seating upstairs, as well as picnic table style outdoor seating on Fifth Ave.
Pro tip: If Havana 1920’s seating is full, walk-ins might find a seat at El Chingon next door — same shared menu, different energy.
Keep in mind: El Chingon runs louder and more party-forward, which can be exactly right for a group that wants to get loud and a little rowdy without tipping into chaotic.
Who it's good for
We've done date nights, happy hours, girls' nights, and an early dinner with young kids here, and it's worked every time. Service has always been friendly and unrushed without being slow. Havana 1920 can accommodate preplanned large groups and corporate events. Since 5th Avenue is in our “Kitty’s Corner” (free delivery zone in Gaslamp, Marina, and Little Italy neighborhoods), the team at Myriad McQuade can deliver your event’s custom decor to Havana 1920 and help with setup.
One note if you're traveling with kids or are sensitive to noise: the live music anywhere in the Gaslamp neighborhood can get appropriately loud in the evenings. We always carry Loop earplugs when we go out, since so many of our favorite spots have live music we want to stick around for. (To be clear: we're not affiliated with Loop in any way — just genuine fans. But since we're here — we do customize earplug cases with your own sticker design, no order too small. That part's actually ours.)
Find them:
Havana 1920 Website | Instagram | Map
El Chingon Website | Instagram | Map
Thinking about a night out in Gaslamp? Check their sites and socials (above), or ask us. We're usually somewhere around 5th Ave and happy to report back on what we've found lately.
Take in the ambiance and sounds of Havana 1920 in this video recorded on July 31, 2026, upstairs at Havana 1920. We go crazy for the decor and vibes, but the delicious Cuban food and drinks really complete the picture. You must experience this for yourself!
