This authentic Cuban restaurant and bar is known for its casual energy, terrific live Cuban music, and mojitos. It is a branch of the original Bodeguita in Havana (reputedly Hemingway's favorite restaurant there), which opened in 1942. If you can't get to that one, the Vallarta version has successfully imported the essence -- and has a small souvenir shop that sells Cuban cigars, rum, and other items. The downstairs has large wooden windows that open to the malecón street action, while the upstairs offers terrific views of the bay. Walls throughout are decorated with old photographs and patrons' signatures -- if you can, find a spot and add yours. The food is less memorable here than the music and atmosphere, so I recommend drinks and dancing, nothing more. Open daily from 11:30am to 2am.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Mexico 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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