One of Cuba’s most legendary hot spots has to be The Tropicana Show in Mariano, Havana. Located in an open space in a beautiful wooded area. It’s famous for its colours, the music, and the dazzling performances. But do you know about the vast history of this iconic attraction? Often named ‘paradise under the stars’ let’s explore how this burst of Cuban colours and entertainment came to be.
Dazzling Beginnings
1930’s
What is now The Tropicana, started out as a nightclub named Edén Concert. It was run by Victor de Correa who was a Cuban Impresario. This nightclub was a mix of gambling at the casino and being bewitched by the cabaret. People flocked to the club for the tropical gardens that provided the setting for this natural outdoor cabaret setting.
1939
Victor de Correa relocated the performers into a converted mansion that was on the estate. He took care of the entertainment and dining side of the business. His business partners Rafael Mascaro and Luis Bular took care of the casino side. Which was hosted in the chandelier-clad dining room in the mansion. It was initially called El Beau-Site, but then made the decision to rename it to The Tropicana, which it is still known as to this day.
On its opening day on December 30th 1939, the Alfredo Brito Orchestra played a massive fanfare for guests.
1950
By 1950 a regular gambler at the casino, Martin Fox, bought the club’s lease. He hired partner Max Borges to help him design the expansion which became Los Arcos de Cristal.
The Tropicana Became Legendary
In the 1950’s Havana’s most sought after night out was The Tropicana. The rich and the famous visited to indulge in gambling and to revel in the shows. You’d be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Marlon Brando, J.F.K, Ernest Hemmingway and Rita Hayworth. The club was globally-known.
The Promotional Flight of 1956
The infamous nightclub went to huge lengths to make sure everyone knew who they were. They put on a promotional flight from Miami to Havana on the Cubana de Aviación. Promising revellers an experience of ‘cabaret in the sky.’
They even took out the front seats of the plane and replaced them with a stage. The Tropicana band managed to fit a pianist, bongo player, trumpet player and a drummer on board. The performers danced and sang in the aisles all the way to Havana. And when they landed they all headed to the famous club for even more hedonistic fun.
So what’s there now?
You can still experience the dazzling entertainment of The Tropicana. Tourists and locals alike still make the 20 minute trip to the outskirts of Havana to dance the night away. Visitors can go to the show or opt for a pre-dinner before the show. The cabaret63 is usually outside, but they will perform indoors if it’s raining. Expect high-energy Caribbean music as well as stunning low tempo beats with dancers and singers filling the room.
For more information on The Tropicana, other Havana holidays or any other Cuba holidays please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of Cuba specialists.
