This one's for Guy and of course anyone else interested.
I had my hopes up when I heard that Sloppy Joe's was at the point where the floors were being polished, that was back in November.
Of course I jumped the gun. I swung by the day after I arrived and although there has been quite a bit of progress, still nowhere near opening.
Restoration looks pretty good, the "Sloppy Joe's" font in the window is a bit off but it looks like they'll have a corner sign up.
As for how the bar itself will be once it opens, is anyone's guess. It is very close to the Parque Central Torre hotel. It'll have to be decent to keep me out of Bar Monserrate when I'm in that part of town, although the music there wasn't as good this time as it has been. Great people watching though.
I had a chat with the toilet attendant there one evening two weeks ago who told me that Cuba and Ireland have similar sayings, "Hasta La Victoria Siempre" in Cuba, "Until Everlasting Victory", he told me was similar to "Tiocfaidh Ár Lá" in (almost perfectly pronounced) Irish, "Our day will come", a motto of the IRA, not necessarily the sentiment of an organisation I'd agree with. Worth a hug all the same.
Anyway, Sloppy Joe pictures. Sorry Guy, next time
There was security I couldn't talk my way around to get pictures of the inside.