Havana Club: The Top 6 Rum Bars In Cuba

Rum made in Cuba has been a forbidden product in the U.S. for over five decades, and only recently can American travelers buy and import Cuban rum into the country for personal consumption. Havana Club – Cuba’s top brand – therefore remains a novelty for many. Most bars and stores in Cuba will sell Havana Club rum of all types and prices, and most Cuban drinks – including the famous Mojito – are prepared using this brand. Here are a few bars where you’ll find the most exclusive variations – maybe even the Maximo Extra Añejo, a limited edition costing $1,000 per bottle.

1. Havana Club Rum Museum

Museum

A good way to get familiar with Cuba’s rum culture is to visit the Havana Club Rum Museum. Guided tours around a typical distillery museum will take you through the production process, from the very beginning at sugar plantations to production, and consumption (the tour ends at the bar, with rum shots). Tours take some 30 minutes and cost around US$5.

2. Sloppy Joe’s

Bar, Beer, Pub Grub, American

One of the most popular bars in Havana in the 1930s and 1940s, Sloppy Joe’s was completely rebuilt and reopened a few years ago, following a long period of abandonment that started after the 1959 revolution. Located next to the Hotel Parque Central in one of the busiest and fastest growing centers in Old Havana, the bar is extremely popular among tourists, and one of the main stops of Havana’s tours.

3. La Torre (F.O.C.S.A.)

Bar, Restaurant, Cuban

This is a bar-restaurant located on the top floor of Havana’s tallest building, the F.O.C.S.A. building, with large windows that offer a fantastic aerial view of the newest part of the city in every direction. There are probably better bars offering better drinks and food – this is a state-run establishment, and usually privately-owned bars are the ones that will come closer to international standards of service – but at no other will you enjoy these awesome views of Havana.

4. Cuban Art Factory

One of the hottest night spots in Havana, Fabrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.) is a cultural center where customers can enjoy all kinds of shows, from fashion shows to live music performances to art shows, while having a drink. Located in the limit between Vedado and Miramar, the place has become so popular that it is permanently packed, and it’s become harder and harder to find Cubans there, as tourists keep flooding the place. At certain periods, F.A.C. will close until the next cycle of performances is organized, so always call before showing up.

Fabrica de Arte Cubano, 26, Vedado, Havana, Cuba +53 7838 2260

http://instagram.com/p/BT4GG7yloMM/

5. La Flauta Magica

Bar, Nightclub, Caribbean, Cuban

La Flauta Magica (The Magic Flute) is a bar on the top floor of a 10-story building opposite the U.S. Embassy and the Malecon in Vedado. The terrace, which accommodates an inviting swimming pool, offers gorgeous views of the city and the perfect atmosphere to relax after a hot, tropical Cuban day. Live music – including nights especially devoted to jazz performances – make the experience even more enjoyable. In addition to the customary Cuban drinks, the bar takes pride in owning the entire Havana Club portfolio.

6. El Floridita

Bar, Restaurant, Caribbean, Cuban

El Floridita, a famous restaurant and cocktail bar frequented by Hemingway in Havana, Cuba

One of American author Ernest Hemingway’s favorite spots in Havana, the Floridita bar-restaurant is one of Havana’s most famous bars. Located in the heart of the old quarter, this is a great place for taking pictures next to a real-size bronze statue of the writer. The statue was installed a few years ago in the same spot where he used to sit in the 1950s, and a freshly-made daiquiri is placed in front of the immortalized writer every day. This is also the place to try a “Papa Doble,” a special daiquiri prepared the way Hemingway liked it. A variation that uses the same ingredients as in the original recipe, but adds more rum and no sugar, this mix includes two-and-a-half shots of white rum, lemon juice, half a grapefruit and six drops of maraschino.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.