These are Ernest Hemingway's 8 favorite bars
Ernest Hemingway is known as one of the greatest American writers as well as one of the greatest American drinkers. He has spent a lot of time in places such as Paris, Havana, Lima, Venice, and the United States and it was no secret that Hemingway liked to enjoy a couple of drinks. From his eight favorite bars, it is evident that Hemingway did not discriminate based on the ambiance and whether it was the dirtiest of bars to the fanciest of hotels, it all depended on the drinks.
In honor of what would be Hemingway's 119th birthday, here is taking a look at some of his favorite bars all over the world.
1. The Ritz (Paris, France)
The Ritz is very closely linked to the author so much so that a bar here is named after him. Hemingway also set part of 'The Sun Also Rises' (1926). He famously "liberated" the hotel from German forces in the year 1944 and eventually racked up a bar tab of around 51 dry martinis shortly after.
2. Sloppy Joe’s (Key West, Florida)
Sloppy Joe's in Key West is where Hemingway wrote about two-thirds of his published works. The famous bar opened in 1933, the same day that the prohibition was repealed and offered 15-cent shots of whiskey. The bar's owner Joe Russell started to supply Hemingway with scotch at the time. Even today the bar maintains that same frenzied bootleg vibe with many guests arriving early in the morning for a drink.
3. Hotel Lutetia (Paris, France)
This is another one of Hemingway's Paris hangouts and Hotel Lutetia is where James Joyce wrote part of 'Ulysses' (1922) as Hemingway played the occasional editor in between drinks. The hotel recently underwent a drastic transformation which is estimated to cost 200-million-euros.
4. Bar Ingles (Lima, Peru)
While Hemingway was in Peru, he was own to frequent the bar in the Country Club Lima Hotel which has been named best Pisco Sour in Lima. They serve over 60 of the famous drink a day which makes everyone wonder just how many of those went on his tab.
5. Harry’s Bar (Venice, Italy)
When Hemingway spent time in Venice in the late 40's, he would practically live at Harry's bar. He had his own table and would also often drink with the owner of the bar. The bar also features in his short story 'Over the River and Into the Trees (1950)'.
6. La Floridita (Havana, Cuba)
La Floridita is the home of the famous Hemingway daiquiri. (Source: Getty Images/B&M Noskowski)
La Floridita is the home of the famous Hemingway daiquiri which was invented by the "Cocktail King of Cuba" by chance. It is believed that Hemingway stopped by one day to use the restroom and upon seeing everyone inside drinking the same cocktail, asked for a sip. He then asked for a cocktail with less sugar and more rum bringing to life the Papa Doble.
7. La Bodeguita del Medio (Havana, Cuba)
Another Havana bar that Hemingway definitely spent a lot of time at and it is believed that he would frequently opt for a mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio which is the supposed home for the drink. A plaque in the bar has a quote by Hemingway himself and reads, "My mojito in the Bodeguita del Medio and my daiquiri in the Floridita".
8. Casino Bar (Ketchum, Idaho)
From the year 1959 until the year 1961, Hemingway lived in the quiet and peaceful town of Ketchum in Idaho which is near the Sun Valley. The town is mostly known for being a skiing destination. Hemingway spent several nights at this local bar which at the time, was a functioning casino. Today it is a no-frills locals' dive which Hemingway would still have visited.