HAVANA’S BEST PLACES TO SMOKE

[El Presidente]

Brought a tear to my eye this morning....

 

HAVANA’S BEST PLACES TO SMOKE

August 3, 2021 Claudia Puszkar

 

ABOVE THE ROOFTOPS
Restaurant La Guarida (Central Havana), Concordia No. 418, between Gervasio & Escobar
The restaurant La Guarida is a legend. It’s one of the first paladares [small, privately run restaurants] in Havana and also where, already years ago, one was able to dine well. La Guarida became famous through the movie Strawberries and Chocolate. For some time now, the restaurant has had a rooftop terrace, with white and pink furniture and matching lighting. Totally stylish.

CONTINUED

[Cigar Surgeon]

Is 'whatever Casa Rob is staying at' followed by 'whatever Casa Nino is staying at' on that list? Otherwise it's a shit list.

🤣

[Fuzz]

  On 8/3/2021 at 10:46 PM, Cigar Surgeon said:

Is 'whatever Casa Rob is staying at' followed by 'whatever Casa Nino is staying at' on that list? Otherwise it's a shit list.

🤣

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Yep. The "Aussie Embassy" is the place to be.

[Nino]

There are 3 places on that list that are worth a visit to me - the rest I'd avoid ...

[Ryan]

The Floridita has been entirely non-smoking for at least 3-4 years now. They started off with no smoking at the counter, i.e. at the tables only. Then banned it entirely.

Otramanera, smoking banned indoors and space is limited outdoors there. 

La Guarida, depends on the night. Smoking in the outdoor areas and balconies, fine. Indoors, if a group has an entire room to themselves, i.e. no other diners in that space, they will sometimes allow smoking.

Cafe Laurent, smoking usually banned now other than on the balcony.

From talking to a few bartenders and hotel concierges last year, the rule of thumb seems to be settling on, anywhere that has air-conditioning and is enclosed has banned smoking. places with windows open or no glass in the windows (eg. El Aljibe, Corte del Principe, Santy, Bar Monserrate and Bar Sofia) allow smoking. There are exceptions, the lobby in the Parque central has air conditioning and some smoking tables still. 

For my favourites

Hotel Nacional

Espacios

Tocororo

Santy

Bar Monserrate

Bar Sofia

Corte del Principe

Casa Nostra

Centro Cultural El Sauce

Don Cangrejo

The outdoor bar at Mio y Tuyo

Marea

Malecon

Basically, good food, music or view. Sometimes two of those three.

And, I nearly forgot.

7 Dias, Miramar and the beachfront bars at 1 y 70. there are 4 or 5 of them there now. At least two of them can be very good. 

[Nino]

If there is a unique place for cigars and good food in Havana I'd say it's Espacios.

Great parties taken place there - most memorable was John DeCosta's Cigar Sanctum party 2018. What a great afternoon !

Other than that I agree mostly with @Ryan's selection ( except for the loud places :-) - Marea, 7 Dias, Santy's and some nice places on 1st Ave in Miramar - let's not forget Tocamadera !!

PS :The little bar below the El Morro lighttower is great for lousy Cuba Libres and great sunsets !

Here is Espacios at full swing 2018 :