Hemingway's beloved bar in Cuba loses its charm, and tourists are deterred
Bar Sloppy Joe's in Cuba, the favorite establishment of American writer Ernest Hemingway, was an iconic tourist hit for decades. Tourists always emphasized that they could feel a New York spirit, which is missing even in New York. Unfortunately, the bar is falling into ruin, deterring customers with high prices and a lack of bread.
8:14 AM EDT, July 10, 2024
Sloppy Joe's in Havana attracted tourists, and now it scares them away. Independent Cuban media and regime-controlled press write about the difficulties of this iconic place.
The decline of the famous bar in Cuba
The establishment, renovated in 2007, was for years one of the most frequently visited bars by tourists searching for souvenirs of capitalism in Cuba. On site, one could try Caribbean cuisine delicacies and feel the atmosphere from before the Cuban Revolution when Hemingway used to visit.
A few days ago, the capital daily "Cubadebate" reported that those times were over. A food critic who visited the bar was shocked that Sloppy Joe's deters with a lack of goods, including bread. She also complained that the natural juices, for which the place was known, are being replaced with drinks based on colorings and preservatives.
"The bar is full of remnants of capitalism, but there is nothing of actual capitalism there," summarized the Cuban newspaper.
The independent online daily 14ymedio, reporting on the Cuban bar's offerings, claims that the prices of meals also scare away customers. According to their report, one sandwich at the establishment costs around $15, and its taste and appearance are not impressive.
They also added that the condition of the place does not encourage visits, and the ceiling is falling apart in the restrooms.
