A great little Havana find: "AZUCAR"

[El Presidente]

While in Havana recently we made a great little discovery that I would like to put on members radar when they are visiting. Actually, it was Foxy, Nate and Glen who introduced me to it as they came across it the day before.

AZUCAR is a new Lounge Bar overlooking the Plaza De San Francisco. It had only been open two weeks before we arrived. The staff are young, eager to please and still getting the service right but they are always smiling and will do whatever they can to make your stay memorable.

AZUCAR means "Sugar" in Spanish.

It overlooks the Plaza de San Francisco. Magnificent view. Directly opposite on the other side of the plaza is the beer bar.

Head to the ground floor and turn right. Head up the stairs to the first floor.

There is absolutely nothing Cuban about this Lounge/Bar except for the staff. You could be in the swankiest lounge in Barcelona or Madrid.

The attention to detail in the fitout is mind blowing. Everything within AZUCAR ...every piece of decor, every nook and cranny has been thought about to make a spectacular visual impression.

Take a tour.

We spent some lovely sessions at the lounge. The drinks selection is great and the cheese platter excellent. Bring your favourite cigar and watch the world go by.

Here is left to right Yiorgos, Glen, Nate, myself, Foxy, Rob.

You will note that we were all smoking the same cigar. Rob Fox generously brought along something special for us to try. You will never meet a more genuine or generous person than Rob Fox. If you are ever looking for another vendor or some vintage stock, JJFox is where I would head.

So sitting back in this salubrious setting, drinking some fine wine and rums the following was presented.

What a beautiful late morning. Great mates, stories, laughter a plenty....and smoking a JJ fox Seleccion Por Laranaga Petit Corona from 1956 (or thereabouts).

The cigar was magnificent!

AZUCAR is open from 11am until late. Put it on your radar

[Mr.T]

Looks like a great spot! Look forward to going there for a smoke and drink one day...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Habana Mike]

Sweet!

[Maplepie]

Awwwww! Way too envious Looked like an outstanding time!!

[Ginseng]

An amazing find indeed. Hope to visit someday.

Wilkey

[Guest rob]

Great write up, mate.

That was a sweet day!

[OleOle]

Looks superb, great place to chat and hang out while you smoke cigars older than yourselves... fantastic!

[Bartolomeo]

On my list for next trip

[Franko]

Looking forward on it, my trip coming soon.... @bart I'll let u know brother:)

[NJP]

Looks spot on RA.

[IPORTER]

Looks like a smashing place to chill out with a drink and cigar!

[Ryan]

Looks great! Great to see new places and opportunities opening up in Cuba.

Nice to see indoor smoking allowed in the place, that Sloppy Joe's hasn't set a trend.

The only issue I think I'd have with it is this,

"You could be in the swankiest lounge in Barcelona or Madrid."

I've had the same experience in places like Espacios, El Cocinero, Bar La Fontana etc. where they are all nice bars but, although I'm in Havana, I find myself "missing Havana".

I find myself more comfortable in places where cut-down beer cans are the rum glasses and the restrooms are a bit of soft ground out the back.

Of course that could say more about me than anything else!

Edit. I do see they let the likes of Yiorgos in. It can't be that nice a place then.

[tmac77]

Thanks for the heads up Rob. They have done an amazing job restoring Plaza De San Francisco. I was amazed actually as to how much work has been done in old Havana over the last number of years. New spots popping up all over.

[anacostiakat]

Nice!

At first I thought you might have meant this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHayF_8vo2c

[CUBANO]

It looks like a great place, will visit next year. You are 100% correct, Rob Fox is a generous and humble person. It was a great pleasure meeting him.

[Ryan]

Rob Fox: "Genuine", "Generous", "Humble".. !!

His head will barely fit down the first class aisle on his next flight to Cuba now!

[laficion]

Very nice place indeed Rob. Thanks for sharing It with us. I hope to go back to Cuba one day .

Guy

[gtejada]

Nice!

At first I thought you might have meant this:

Wow, you are going back to an awesome time. Nice find

[CanuckSARTech]

Very cool find. Thanks for sharing.