It’s not every day a local independent hits the 25-year mark – and does so with as much colour, character and flair as Cubana. From its modest beginnings on Trippet Lane to its current home in the heart of Leopold Square, this vibrant spot has become nothing short of a Sheffield institution – serving up Latin flavour, live music and late-night dancing since 2000.
Founders Adrian Bagnoli and Brad Charlesworth launched Cubana with a simple ambition: bring a slice of Havana’s joy to the Steel City. Yet the early days were anything but smooth. A frustrating delay in securing the licence meant they couldn’t serve alcohol for the first few weeks. Rather than grind to a halt, they invited customers to bring their own wine. As it turned out, the hiccup became a blessing. With drinks off the table, the focus shifted naturally to the food, planting the seeds for Cubana’s future reputation as one of Sheffield’s great dining spots.
“When we started, we just wanted to bring a bit of Cuban sunshine to Sheffield,” Adrian says. “We never imagined Cubana would weave itself into the fabric of the city in the way it has. The real soul of Cubana comes from the people – our incredible staff over the years and the customers who’ve supported us from day one.”
Adrian’s fascination with Latin culture began long before Cubana existed. Back in the ‘90s, while living in Florence, he became a regular at a Brazilian nightclub called Maracana. The atmosphere stuck with him: the rhythm, the movement, the sheer sense of release. When he returned to Sheffield, he channelled that energy into creating Viva Salsa – the city’s first Latin club night, launched at Club Uropa in June 1995. The debut event pulled in 700 people and made it clear that Sheffield was ready for something different.
“The debut event was packed to the rafters and made it clear that Sheffield was ready for something different.”
When Cubana opened five years later, those influences flowed straight into the venue. The original Trippet Lane site was small, lively and informal, quickly gathering a loyal following. For nearly 14 years, it was the setting for countless nights out fuelled by mojitos, tapas dishes designed for sharing and a buzzing music scene that gave the place its unmistakable character.
“Customers still fondly talk about our time at Trippet Lane – it holds a special place in many people’s hearts. We made so many fabulous memories there. One of the highlights has got to be hosting members of the Buena Vista Social Club and having some of their musicians perform live at Cubana following their City Hall shows.”
By 2014, Cubana had outgrown its original four walls. Opportunity knocked when the two-floor former Platillos unit in Leopold Square became available. After some creative plotting with Sheffield artist Paul Staveley and architect Paul Brady, Adrian and Brad transformed the space into a bigger, bolder version of the Cubana identity. In true Cubana style, the move was executed at pace – the new venue opened just four days after the final night on Trippet Lane.
Today, Leopold Square is the perfect stage for what Cubana has become: a vibrant meeting point of food, music and cultural expression. The decor is warm and atmospheric, drawing on Latin influences without feeling like a theme park. It’s a restaurant, a cocktail bar and a live music venue, all under one roof, and all working together to create that famous sense of escapism.
The food offering is still central to Cubana’s appeal. Tapas dishes blend Spanish classics with South American flair, showcasing everything from slow-cooked meatballs and seafood favourites to smoky grilled meats and plenty of thoughtful plant-based options. The menu is built for sharing, reflecting the communal spirit that keeps the place buzzing from lunchtime until late.
Then there’s the rum collection – more than 300 varieties from around the world, praised by global rum ambassador Ian A. V. Burrell as one of the finest anywhere. Cubana even made national headlines for selling Havana Club 1519 at £250 a shot, becoming the first venue outside Cuba to stock it. The cocktail menu continues to evolve, pulling in flavours from across Latin America while holding space for classics.
Music, though, is where Cubana’s heart beats loudest. There’s live music most nights, showcasing local talent and international guests alike. Styles shift from Cuban son to salsa, jazz and Latin fusion, but the constant is the energy. Their flagship event, Salsa in the Square, now takes place three times a year and draws hundreds into Leopold Square for open-air dancing and live bands. It has cemented itself as a fixture of Sheffield’s cultural calendar and a highlight of the city’s bank holiday weekends.
The guestbook over the years reads like a pocket-sized cultural history. Aleida Guevara – daughter of Che – visited and was glowing in her praise for the food, decor and atmosphere. Legendary Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán has stopped by, as has British icon Ricky Hatton, alongside a host of sporting celebrities who treat Cubana as a regular pit stop.
Despite the accolades, Adrian is clear about what keeps Cubana going strong after a quarter of a century.
“To still be here after 25 years in hospitality really means something. It comes down to hard work, shared values and the strong bond Brad and I have built. But above all, it’s the good fortune of having very many fantastic staff members work for us and be part of the Cubana family over the years.”
“Cubana has always been about having fun – that uplifting holiday feeling, live music, good food, friendly people and a bit of escapism that just makes people smile and de-stress as soon as they walk in. We’ve seen nearly three generations of families from Sheffield enjoy Cubana, and that’s really special.”
Twenty-five years in, Cubana remains as vibrant as the night it opened its doors. It is a celebration of culture, community and sheer joy – a little slice of Havana, rooted firmly in the heart of Sheffield.
After a quarter of a century, Cubana remains as lively and loveable as ever. It’s the kind of place where you pop in for tapas and end up dancing to a live salsa band at midnight. It’s Sheffield’s little slice of Havana – and long may it continue.
Location:
Cubana, Unit 4, Leopold Square, S1 2JG
@cubanatapasbar
cubanatapasbar.com
