Hello again Sloppy Joe's (Part One)......by Punch Joe

[El Presidente]

Hello again Sloppy Joe’s by Punch Joe

In 1904, Spaniard José Abeal exits Cuba en route to New Orleans and stayed there for 6 years learning how to prepare cocktails and mix drinks. Working as a bartender in a jazz bar, he later moved to Florida where he spent another 6 years behind a bar before returning to Cuba. Having acquired some experience in the business he decided to start working in a bar called The Greasy Spoon situated in Havana Centre at his return from the US in 1916.

His US friends, who regularly came to visit him, encouraged him to open his own bar…which, of course, he did. He immediately made an offer to the owner of the food store in the corner of Zulueta and Animas St. (known as La Esquina del Fraile) and then, in 1917, the Sloppy Joe’s bar as we know it, opened its doors. Forgot to mention that the building was erected in 1884.

Aside from Jose’s energy in pursue of success, thing is that the bar flourishes in the roaring 20’s mostly due to the Prohibition years in the US. Many Americans flew down to Havana where restrictions on alcohol consumption had never existed. And everybody wanted to go there.

A UPI reporter tells the story that he left his wallet over a table and one of the waiters tried to reach him out but the guy vanished in the crowd outside. The waiter handed out the wallet to Jose Albeal and he kept it. Next morning the reporter went to the bar to inquire for his belongings and Jose returned his wallet. The reporter was kindly surprised that all the money inside the wallet was intact and then wanted to extend a reward in return. Jose declined that saying that it wasn’t expected any reciprocity, it was only his duty. Well, said the reporter, then I’ll give you the best publicity no one can ever dream of. He wrote a few articles in a couple of US newspapers and the name Sloppy Joe was recognized as the place where all the US citizen could feel themselves at home and safe. The word spread like fire and multiplied the success of the business.

Among the celebrities that stopped by the Sloppy Joe’s were: Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Errol Flynn, Rock Hudson…and beyond the fact that it was regularly visited by the US marines during the 20’s, the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s the truth is these stationed soldiers were keen to create disorder so a couple of military police guards were always stood at the entrance. Their only mission was to finish off the brawl, if any, and take the idiots outside and show them the way back to the harbor.

During the filming of “Our man in Havana” based on the novel of same tittle by Graham Greene, the renowned actor Alec Guinness paid repeated visits to the Sloppy. Footage included several scenes inside which represent a remarkable statement of the popularity and recognition of such establishment.

Nowadays we can find 4 Sloppy Joe’s spread out around the globe, in cities such as Madrid, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Key West being the latter founded in 1933 and run by Joe Rosell back then. The one in Key West’s got nothing to do with the one-and-only in Havana. It’s a typical beach bar where you can even show up in flip flops and shorts.

One of the signatures of the Sloppy Joe’s bar was its bar stand that comfortably housed over 30 seats. Walls and columns were decorated with pictures of regulars and several tables were placed with charm and elegance.

(to be continued)

[Skyfall]

Awesome!

[potpest]

^

What he said

[bresdogsr]

Very cool piece of history

[Ryan]

Great stuff. Looking forward to seeing the place open, next time I'm there. Though given their (I hear enforced) non-smoking policy, it will be a flying visit.

[madandana]

Interesting, can't wait to visit. I wonder if they have a specialty? Mojito?

[laficion]

Great stuff , José, I liked that a lot ,my friend. !!!!

[melies]

Great read as always

I was over there last May, they really left it beautiful and they have a delicious "Sloppy Joes" and a delicious extra dry martini (I know, a martini in Havana, but could you blame me?)

[laficion]

THAT , !!!!! Is beautiful.!!!!!!