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On entering the bar, there is an immediate perfume of Cuban mint, the most traditional ingredient in Cuba’s greatest export, the Mojito. Cuba is known as the island of music. Music is a very special part of Cuban culture and never fails to deliver the spontaneous presence amongst one and all. The inception of La B del M is traced back to 1942 when Angel Martinez Borroto had the foresight to purchase a small store in the walled city of Old Havana. He began operations under the name of Casa Martinez and this venture was shortly joined by a simpatico associate who opened a print shop. The industrious pair soon attracted a collection of intellectuals, writers and musicians and whilst using the patron’s telephone, enjoyed tots of the local rum. The ever expanding client base soon began to indulge in the cuisine produced by Armenia, the lady of the house. The menu included black beans, white rice, pork and fried bananas, the essential ingredients of Cuban cuisine. Martinez responded favourably to this new found popularity and in addition to changing the venue’s name to La Bodeguita del Medio, as the little bar in the middle, the hostelry increased in popularity and secured the patronage of the international glitterati of the times - Ernest Hemingway, Spencer Tracy, Errol Flynn, Bridget Bardot, Sophia Loren, Harry Belafonte, Marlene Dietrich. Since the nineties, Cuba’s popularity as a fashionable destination has grown and the celebrated atmosphere of the Bodeguita has inspired imitators in many countries. There are no less than sixty, bars, bodegas and restaurants that emulate LaBodeguita del Medio of Calle Empedrado around the world today. |
The
most famous bar in Havana, La B del M is located at 207 Empredrado
Street, Old Havana. The Bar is located 100 cobble stones from the greatest
American baroque structure in Cuba, The Havana Cathedral.