The Old Man And The Drink: Around The World In Hemingway’s Footsteps
Looking for Hemingway’s favorite bars around the world? Read on.
“Don’t bother with churches, government buildings, or city squares. If you want to know about a culture, spend a night in its bars,” said Ernest Hemingway.
A world traveler and bon vivant whose work took him around the globe, the writer was well-qualified to make such a pronouncement. Everywhere he went, he spent a large chunk of his time patronizing the bars, taprooms, bistros and canteens of the host cities.
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The Old Man And The Drink
Indeed, one of the most iconic American authors of the 20th century was not just known for his literary genius but also for his adventurous spirit and love of a good drink. His travels across the world – from Cuba to Spain, Italy, and beyond – were not only shaped by his work but also by the places he chose to indulge in his favorite cocktails.
“I drink to make other people more interesting.” Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway, often depicted as a larger-than-life figure, found inspiration in the world’s most famous bars, each holding a piece of his legacy. He could be found in these bars not just drinking, but also working on novels that would become literary classics.
Hemingway’s Favorite Bars Around The World
Below are some of the most famous bars where Hemingway was known to drink, his favorite cocktails, and the novels he was working on at the time, as well as his relationship with each city. A project that took us close to a decade to complete (and is, in fact, still work in progress – stay tuned for photos from no. 8 & 9), we hereby present you Hemingway’s favorite bars around the world:
1. La Floridita, Havana, Cuba
One of Hemingway’s most beloved spots, La Floridita in Havana, Cuba, holds a special place in literary history. Hemingway frequented this vibrant bar in the 1940s and ’50s. Known for its daiquiris, Hemingway would often order a “Papa Doble,” a variation of the traditional daiquiri, made with double the rum and no sugar.
Hemingway’s relationship with Havana was more than just a drinking destination – it was a place of profound personal connection. It was here that he wrote much of For Whom the Bell Tolls, drawing inspiration from the vibrant local culture and the Spanish Civil War, which profoundly shaped the novel’s themes. The bar even has a statue of Hemingway to commemorate his long-standing connection to the city.
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2. Sloppy Joe’s, Key West, Florida
Hemingway’s time in Key West was marked by both his work and his wild lifestyle. The original Sloppy Joe’s, where he frequented during the 1930s, was a haven for writers, artists, and journalists, where Hemingway would spend hours sipping cold beers and writing. His drink of choice here was often a mojito.
It was at this bar that he worked on To Have and Have Not, a novel set in the Florida Keys that draws from Hemingway’s own experiences with the local atmosphere. His connection to Key West was deep, as he lived there for nearly a decade, and the island inspired much of his work, cementing it as an important part of his legacy.
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“Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” Ernest Hemingway
3. Bar Inglés, Lima, Peru
Hemingway’s journey to Lima was part of his extensive travels across South America, where he found both the exotic landscapes and the dynamic bars to fuel his creative output. Bar Inglés, located in the elegant Country Club Lima Hotel, became one of his regular haunts. Hemingway favored a whiskey drink, often a “whiskey sour,” which complemented the timeless atmosphere of the bar.
During his stay in Lima, he worked on The Old Man and the Sea, a novel that would become one of his most celebrated works. Hemingway’s relationship with Lima was brief but intense, marked by a fascination with the city’s history and the influences of its local culture on his writing.
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4. Harry’s Bar, Venice, Italy
In Venice, Italy, Hemingway found solace in Harry’s Bar, a place that became a refuge from the chaos of the world. Hemingway visited often, enjoying the famous bellini, a cocktail made with Prosecco and peach purée. Harry’s Bar provided not only a creative refuge but also the inspiration for Across the River and Into the Trees, a novel set in post-World War II Venice.
Hemingway’s love for Venice was evident in his relationship with the city, where he developed a deep affection for the people, the architecture, and the history that surrounded him. The bar itself, founded in 1931, became an iconic spot, forever linked to Hemingway’s literary and social legacy.
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5. Café Iruña, Pamplona, Spain
In the heart of Pamplona, Spain, Hemingway immersed himself in the culture of the annual Running of the Bulls festival. The Café Iruña became one of his favorite spots to write and drink, particularly enjoying a sangría while watching the lively atmosphere of the square outside.
Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises, which was based on his time in Spain, captured the excitement, chaos, and energy of the bullfighting culture, and his connection to Pamplona became a critical part of his literary exploration of the Lost Generation. The café remains a testament to Hemingway’s love for Spain and the world he experienced there.
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6. La Bodeguita del Medio, Havana, Cuba
Another Havana favorite, La Bodeguita del Medio is a small but iconic bar where Hemingway often sipped mojitos, a drink he proclaimed was the best in the world. This bar was a frequent stop for Hemingway when he visited Havana, and it was here that he penned a famous note on the wall, leaving a piece of his legacy.
Hemingway’s time in Cuba was deeply entwined with his personal and professional life. It was during these years that he worked on Islands in the Stream, a novel that explored themes of love, loss, and war, set against the backdrop of the Caribbean.
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7. The Ritz and Brasserie Lipp, Paris, France
Hemingway’s time in Paris during the 1920s was crucial to his development as a writer. The Ritz, particularly its Bar Hemingway, was one of his most frequented spots. Known for its elegance and sophistication, the bar provided Hemingway with the perfect atmosphere to work on A Moveable Feast, his memoir about his time in Paris during the Lost Generation era.
Hemingway also frequented Brasserie Lipp, a French institution, where he enjoyed the simple pleasures of French beer and wine, often mingling with other writers and intellectuals of the day.
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8. La Venencia, Madrid, Spain
La Venencia in Madrid holds a special place in Hemingway’s heart, as he had a profound love for Spain and its culture. This sherry bar, known for its rustic and authentic ambiance, was a favorite of Hemingway’s. He would often indulge in a glass of sherry while reflecting on his time in the country.
“Never delay kissing a pretty girl or opening a bottle of whiskey.” Ernest Hemingway
His relationship with Madrid and Spain was reflected in his work on For Whom the Bell Tolls, a novel that was heavily inspired by the Spanish Civil War. The city and its bars, like La Venencia, offered him a glimpse into the Spanish way of life, which deeply influenced his literary voice.
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9. Casino Bar, Ketchum, Idaho
Hemingway’s favorite bars list wouldn’t be complete without The Casino. His final years were spent in Ketchum, Idaho, where he enjoyed a quieter, more reclusive lifestyle. The Casino Bar became his go-to watering hole, a place where he could unwind and drink a cold beer, perhaps with a shot of whiskey on the side.
It was here that Hemingway would spend time with locals and friends, away from the pressures of fame. He was working on A Moveable Feast during his time in Ketchum, as well as continuing to reflect on his life and experiences. Hemingway’s relationship with Idaho was a peaceful one, in stark contrast to the turmoil of his earlier years.
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Hemingway’s Hangouts – The Legacy
Hemingway’s love for bars around the world reveals a man whose life was as diverse as his writing. His time in these spaces – whether sipping daiquiris in Havana or enjoying a sherry in Madrid – reflects the rich experiences that shaped his novels.
It offers a glimpse into the soul of a traveler, author, and cocktail lover. Through these bars, Hemingway’s spirit lives on, not just in the stories he wrote, but in the drinks he sipped, the cities he loved, and the legacy he left behind.
Have you been to any of the Hemingway’s favorite bars on our list? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments or tag @eightyflavors on socials!
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