Cuban lifestyle under stepped gables
Recently, Ilona Ruiz Valdes to La Havanna Bar at Engelsgrube 56 for a blog post in Lübeck's ZWISCHENZEILEN ). We had already included this historic establishment as a tip in our article " 7 Bars in Lübeck ." However, we hadn't had a chance to speak with Ilona or Hector Ruiz Valdes at length back then. And as you know, in our " ZWISCHENZEILEN " we like to make more visible those people who, behind the facades of the old townhouses, ensure the vibrancy of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, it was a no-brainer that I immediately accepted Ilona's invitation. After almost two hours of stimulating conversation about La Havanna, life, and the world, I returned to the office, my head brimming with stories. Ilona is such a vibrant and wise person, who has experienced so many adventures, that I had to sort through my notes first. So, let's take a look together at Engelsgrube and La Havanna.
England drivers' pit
The name Engelsgrube (Angel's Pit) has nothing to do with angels – even though one might assume so. The street name dates back to a time when Lübeck's merchants engaged in lively trade with England. This is documented as early as the 13th century. One of the four Hanseatic trading posts, the Steelyard, was located in London. Maritime trade shaped the daily lives of the people who lived here – in the "English Pit": craftsmen, sailors, and dockworkers.
Many of the houses now lie below street level because the street was raised before the turn of the 20th century. So, in some places, you descend a few steps – and simultaneously step back into history. Hardly any other street in Lübeck's old town has as many alleyways and winding passageways as Engelsgrube. A microcosm unto itself. And the house at Engelsgrube 56 has also shaped the street's appearance for centuries.
One house, many chapters
The building with the stepped gable has seen its share of uses: baking, storage, repairs, and sales. The property was first mentioned in 1297 – at that time, it belonged to a monastery near Riga. Later, the building served as a warehouse during the Hanseatic era, a bakery in a strategically fireproof corner location, a lighting factory, a car repair shop, and a general store. In 1970, the late Gothic stepped-gable house was extensively restored with funds from the Possehl Foundation – faithfully reconstructed on the outside, with careful alterations to the interior. The charm of the hall house remains to this day.
Life is all about colors.
La Havanna Bar was never intended as a business – more as a declaration of love. The story begins with an encounter that changed several people's lives: in 2004, Ilona and Hector met in Cuba. What sounds like a cliché – a blonde North German woman meets a man with the Caribbean sun in his eyes – is humorously recounted by Ilona in her book , La Havanna: A German-Cuban Story . From the very beginning, much more than a holiday romance under palm trees developed between them. After just a few days, Ilona had become a natural member of Hector's extended family. Hector then returned the favor with a visit to Lübeck. They married in June 2005, and from this union, a shared vision emerged. Rather by chance, one might say.
La Havana – If you can't do anything else, become a landlord
On St. Nicholas Day 2007, the German-Cuban couple launched their business at Engelgrube 56. Ilona and Hector hadn't been actively looking for a location to open a bar. After all, they had no prior experience in the restaurant industry: Ilona is a trained businesswoman and experienced event manager, while Hector is a qualified dance instructor and trained chef. But somehow, one thing led to another: starting in 2005, Hector had offered his first salsa classes in Lübeck and struck a chord. The number of enthusiastic dancers grew. A friend had purchased the building at Engelgrube 56 and was looking for someone to run the ground-floor space. So why not give it a try? Because that's exactly what it was at the beginning. A kind of "hobby," as Ilona and Hector have never given up their full-time jobs since starting out. What began as an experiment has now become a passion that has lasted almost 20 years. A labor of love that has grown – and with it, a large, vibrant German-Cuban blended family. To this day, Ilona and Hector share a deep understanding of each other that has endured through the years, including the crises that have naturally occurred.
Cuba's smallest embassy
Ilona and Hector are two warm-hearted people who complement each other perfectly in their differences – she with a clear vision and organizational talent, he brimming with creativity, energy, and rhythm in his blood. What united them was the desire to create a place that combines the best of both worlds. Without making a fuss about it, they live by an example: welcoming everyone and accepting them as they are. At La Havanna Bar, you feel welcome from the very first moment. It's a safe space where origin, age, or status don't matter. Only the moment counts. And the music. The "La Havanna family" appreciates this. Many guests have become friends who actively support them when help is needed, as they did during the difficult times of the pandemic. It is thanks in no small part to the "La Havanna family" that this special place has been preserved, where Che Guevara and Fidel Castro look down on the dancers from the historic hall.
Oh yes: actually, I would have liked to present more facts: what cocktails are available… which classes run when… Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, Kizomba… To be honest: I didn't write any of that down. I was too fascinated by Ilona's stories of babalaos, Cuban joie de vivre, and the courage to simply begin.
Dancing? Absolutely!
📍 Thu–Sat from 9 pm: open dancing
💃 Classes, workshops and parties “A Fuego”
🌐 More info at: lahavanna-luebeck.de
