History

As early as 1899 Cuban immigrants formed recreational societies with varying degrees of success, and in 1902 Cuban workers founded “El Circulo Cubano” which means “Circle of Cubans.”  It was a mutual aid society to “bind all Cuban residents to Tampa into a fraternal group, to offer assistance and help to the sick.”  The club provided a gathering place for members and served as a unifying force in the Cuban community.

 

Fire destroyed the first clubhouse in 1916, and soon afterward members initiated plans for its replacement.  The present 4-story, yellow brick building with Neoclassical design elements sits on the original site.   Constructed in 1917, the building contained a 2-story theater, pharmacy, library, ballroom and cantina.  Imported tile, stained glass windows and elaborately carved scraffito spandrells decorated the structure and the ballroom ceiling displayed elaborate murals.  It once housed a gymnasium, complete with lockers, a swimming pool, and two bowling lanes.

 

The patio which is located west of the building has hosted boxing matches, famous Cuban entertainers such as Benny More’ and Celia Cruz as well as the big band sounds of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.

 

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

The Summer of Rum Festival will utilize all three floors of inside space and the newly expanded outside patio concert area.   

 

Come for the Rum but also enjoy one of Tampa's historical sites as we transform it into multiple "Rum Zones" below: