Hot Havana Nights: My Name Is Cuban Pete…

I'm the king of the rhumba beat! Jim Carrey's dancin' moves ain't nothin' compared to our Austin yelpers last night! While they didn't Rhumba, they did Salsa & Merengue the night away at the beautiful Belmont at our Hot Havana Nights OYE. 

Just so you know what you're in for…  Keri
B's review made me laugh hysterically. "You know it's a good Yelp party when you stumble, bleary-eyed out of
your shower the next morning at 5 a.m. and see the contents of your
purse spilled on the bathroom vanity: One Yelp
Cigar, one wrist sweatband that reads "Blood Yelp and Tears", 0ne
light up corona necklace, one corona serape beer "dress", one
pen that has vodka recipes "hidden" inside, one flower hair clip and three $5 off coupons to return to
the Belmont".

The sultry early summer night found us on a palm terrace overlooking the rest of the bar.  We all felt very popular as a line formed way before the party with folks wanting to get the first 50 custom Yelp cigars.  Hand rolled by Bobalu, they were the hit accessory of the night along with the 150 flower hair clips I DIY'ed.

Take it from Emily B. You know it's hot when… you "walk onto a private balcony and are greeted with flower hair
pins, delicious drinks, adorable Corona
poncho koozies, a great sunset, sassy music and one hot waiter after
another with lip-smacking appetizers". Six staff at the Belmont tended bar and curried gourmet bites around on silver platters.  On the menu: Mini pressed cubans, goat cheese tarts, flat iron steak and blue cheese on a crostini and shrimp and with mango pico de gallo.  Yelpers drank Corona, Corona Light, Pacifico & tropical UV vodka drinks before Danny from the Dance Institute got on the mic and taught people how to dance the two traditional latin dances to sweet tunes from DJ Vasco.  Felecia I's got rhythm: "I can actually do a half-decent salsa & merengue now… who knew?"

At the end of the night, we were able to give away the Yelp! cigar boxes and tickets to a fashion brunch at Sagra to a couple of lucky yelpers. In a surprise move, Mark from UV Vodka donated an electric guitar to give away as well. Inspired by Phoenix's Lisztomania, we encouraged yelpers to send us their best lists by Monday where we'll have folks vote on the "Best List" overall.

The only question that remains is… should this be Kevin's new profile picture? MeOW!

It was a totally hot night — Havana without the hassle of bribing someone not to stamp your passport.

SYOY,

Kelly