A guide to Little Havana and Calle Ocho in Miami

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the City of Miami’s Domino Park page, Viernes Culturales, Ball & Chain, Versailles and Carnaval Miami.

Little Havana is the City of Miami neighborhood west of downtown whose main street is Calle Ocho, Southwest Eighth Street. The best-known stops are on or just off it: the domino tables at Domino Park, the live music at Ball & Chain, the ventanita at Versailles and, once a month, the Viernes Culturales street festival.

Who to call

• Domino Park: 305-859-2717, 1444 SW Eighth St.
• Ball & Chain: 305-643-7820, 1513 SW Eighth St.
• Versailles: 305-444-0240, 3555 SW Eighth St.
• Viernes Culturales: info@viernesculturales.org, Futurama Galleries, 1637 SW Eighth St.
• City services, street closures: 311

Domino Park

Domino Park, 1444 SW Eighth St., is a City of Miami park with domino and chess tables and restrooms. It is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Space can be reserved through the city.

Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays)

Viernes Culturales is the neighborhood’s art, music and culture festival, held by a nonprofit of the same name since the first one on May 26, 2000. It runs on the last Friday of the month, starting at noon, on Calle Ocho between Eighth and 27th avenues, with music, dancing and work by more than 30 local artists and artisans.

• Remaining 2026 dates: Friday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Nov. 27. December’s date had not been set.
• Free walking tour: the festival’s page offers a free Little Havana walking tour with the historian Paul George at 7 p.m., with sign-up through its site.

The group also runs the Little Havana Welcome Center, open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a free neighborhood map produced with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Ball & Chain

Ball & Chain, 1513 SW Eighth St. The bar says it opened as Ball & Chain Saloon in 1935, and its history page lists Billie Holiday, Count Basie and Chet Baker among performers who appeared in the late 1950s. Today it serves Cuban food and drinks with live Latin music and dancing most nights, from Mambo Mondays to Salsero Sundays; the lineup is on its events page. Larger parties are asked to book a table. More nightlife is on our live music and nightlife guide.

Versailles

Versailles, 3555 SW Eighth St., is the Cuban restaurant with the walk-up window, La Ventanita. It opens at 8 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday and stays open until midnight (1 a.m. Friday and Saturday). See our brunch guide.

Festivals on Calle Ocho

• Calle Ocho Music Festival: Sunday, March 14, 2027, part of Carnaval Miami, which is run by volunteers of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana. (Carnaval Miami)
• Three Kings Parade: the City of Miami’s parade on Calle Ocho after Christmas; dates on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Getting there

Transit routes and parking are on our getting around Miami guide.

What this means for you

• Go on the last Friday for Viernes Culturales; Oct. 30 is next.
• Start at the welcome center for the free map, open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Domino Park closes at 6 p.m.

More: free things to do, date night in Miami and history and landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

When is Viernes Culturales in Little Havana?

The last Friday of the month, starting at noon on Calle Ocho between Eighth and 27th avenues. The remaining 2026 dates are Oct. 30 and Nov. 27; December’s had not been set.

What are Domino Park’s hours?

The City of Miami lists Domino Park, 1444 SW Eighth St., as open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Is there a visitor center in Little Havana?

Yes. The Little Havana Welcome Center, run by Viernes Culturales, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and gives out a free neighborhood map.

When is the Calle Ocho festival?

The Calle Ocho Music Festival is Sunday, March 14, 2027, according to Carnaval Miami.

How old is Ball & Chain?

Ball & Chain, 1513 SW Eighth St., says it opened as a saloon in 1935. It hosts live Latin music most nights.