Bongos Cuban Cafe Permanently Closed
Table of Contents

5733 Seminole Way
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
Quick Facts
- (954) 791-3040
- Restaurant Hours:
- Sun & Wed 6:00PM-10:00PM
- Thurs 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Fri-Sat 6:00 PM – 12:00
- Sky Lounge Hours:
- Fri & Sat Open nightly @ 10:00 PM
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Bongos Cuban Cafe Services
Enhanced Comforts for Your Meal
While Bongos Cuban Cafe was famous for its vibrant atmosphere, it’s important to note that all of its locations have permanently closed. However, when it was in operation, its services were centered around creating an immersive and comfortable dining escape.
The enhanced comforts at Bongos Cuban Cafe focused on a total sensory experience:
- Atmosphere as an Escape: The primary comfort was the transportive ambiance. With constant live music, energetic performances, and decor inspired by 1950s Havana, the restaurant was designed to be a festive escape. This created a relaxed, celebratory environment where guests could feel removed from the everyday.
- Full-Service Entertainment: Unlike a typical restaurant, the live bands and performers provided non-stop entertainment. This created a comfortable social setting, ideal for celebrations and groups, as the music-filled atmosphere took the pressure off conversation and ensured a lively experience for everyone.
- Upscale Hospitality: The service aimed to be upscale and attentive, reflecting the glamour of its famous founders, Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The staff catered to a high-energy, celebratory crowd, ensuring that even amidst the festive noise, guests felt welcomed and well-cared-for, particularly when ordering their famous mojitos and classic Cuban dishes.
The legacy of this festive dining experience, which combines live music with upscale Cuban cuisine, is now carried on by the Estefans’ current restaurant concept, Estefan Kitchen.
Atmosphere

The primary comfort of Bongos Cuban Cafe was its transportive ambiance, designed as a festive escape to the glamour of 1950s Havana.
The atmosphere was constantly energized by live Latin music and performances, while decor rich with tropical and classic Cuban details completed the immersion.
This combination created a uniquely relaxed yet celebratory environment, making the restaurant feel less like a place to eat and more like a joyful destination.
Entertainment

What truly set Bongos Cuban Cafe apart from a typical restaurant was its commitment to non-stop entertainment. Rather than quiet background music, live bands and energetic performers were the centerpiece of the experience, filling the entire venue with a vibrant and continuous soundtrack.
This constant, music-filled atmosphere deliberately created a comfortable and dynamic social setting, which was especially ideal for large groups and celebrations. The energy from the stage ensured the experience was always lively for everyone, while also serving to ease the natural lulls in conversation.
This took the pressure off guests to maintain constant dialogue, allowing them to relax and simply enjoy the collective party atmosphere.
Upscale Hospitality

The service at Bongos Cuban Cafe was intentionally designed to be both upscale and attentive, a direct reflection of the polish and glamour associated with its famous founders, Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The staff was trained to do more than just serve food; they were tasked with upholding a high standard of hospitality within a uniquely high-energy and celebratory environment.
They expertly catered to a bustling, festive crowd, skillfully navigating the lively atmosphere to ensure that every guest felt personally welcomed and well-cared-for. Even amidst the constant music and celebratory noise, the team was adept at creating moments of personal connection.
This attentiveness was especially apparent as they guided guests through the menu, particularly when serving the restaurant’s famous mojitos and classic Cuban dishes, making the entire experience feel both special and seamless
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Convenient location to the airport, cruise port, shopping, and nightlife. Great place to stay for everything you may want to…