A taste of Paradise

La Floridita is hoping to spread the Cuban gospel, Kate Ennis reports.

La Floridita encapsulates all that is great about Cuba under one roof – which is why the idea of recreating the legendary Havana club abroad always had such potential.

Designed to evoke the authentic heritage of the original bar and restaurant patronised by Ernest Hemingway, the Floridita brand brings together food, drink, music and cigars and presents them in a contemporary, cosmopolitan style.

Atight partnership between operator Havana Holdings, the Cuban government and cigar retailer La Casa del Habano, the Floridita brand has experienced great success with the first venture in London since it opened two years ago (when Cigar Buyer last visited it – see issue two).

Following this success, Havana Holdings is making the confident move of opening of three new venues this winter, in Russia and Madrid, but also Dublin, where the smoking ban is already in place. These bold expansion plans can justify some optimism for the Cuban cigar industry and raises the question of whether presenting cigars in a cultural context could form a blueprint for the future.

It was this ambition and the challenge of finding a way to accommodate the smoker in the face of the trend for clampdowns on public smoking that first attracted Edward Vita to become assistant manager at La Casa del Habano cigar lounge in La Floridita, London.

Edward believes creating a comfortable and enjoyable destination that offers everything smokers want from a night out is key. “If people can’t easily have a quick smo.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Kate Ennis

Section : Retailer watch

Page number : 10

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 10 on 22/11/2006.

This article is 68 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



	Home Magazine News Store Tastings Brands Legislation Glossary Links Contact
	A taste of Paradise La Floridita is hoping to spread the Cuban gospel, Kate Ennis reports. La Floridita encapsulates all that is great about Cuba under one roof – which is why the idea of recreating the legendary Havana club abroad always had such potential. Designed to evoke the authentic heritage of the original bar and restaurant patronised by Ernest Hemingway, the Floridita brand brings together food, drink, music and cigars and presents them in a contemporary, cosmopolitan style. Atight partnership between operator Havana Holdings, the Cuban government and cigar retailer La Casa del Habano, the Floridita brand has experienced great success with the first venture in London since it opened two years ago (when Cigar Buyer last visited it – see issue two). Following this success, Havana Holdings is making the confident move of opening of three new venues this winter, in Russia and Madrid, but also Dublin, where the smoking ban is already in place. These bold expansion plans can justify some optimism for the Cuban cigar industry and raises the question of whether presenting cigars in a cultural context could form a blueprint for the future. It was this ambition and the challenge of finding a way to accommodate the smoker in the face of the trend for clampdowns on public smoking that first attracted Edward Vita to become assistant manager at La Casa del Habano cigar lounge in La Floridita, London. Edward believes creating a comfortable and enjoyable destination that offers everything smokers want from a night out is key. “If people can’t easily have a quick smo..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Kate Ennis Section : Retailer watch Page number : 10 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 10 on 22/11/2006. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 68 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.