Havana, Jul 14 (Prensa Latina) With an unusual competition named El Rey del Daiquiri (Daiquiri King), the Floridita, one of the most famous bar-restaurants in Cuba and much of the world, begins today its celebrations for its 199 years of existence. A place for American novelist,Ernest Hemingway, this bar-restaurant has a lot of history and Daiquiri, its emblematic drink, stands out.

The eighth edition of the competition is to honor the facility and its regular clients.

The event takes place today and tomorrow, and includes not only Cuban barmen or bartenders, but many from other countries.

Although the results should appear tomorrow, the relevance of this competition is truly to participate and be part of the smiling bartenders of the restaurant or its devotee guests.

Known as "La Piña de Plata" in its beginning, the Floridita bar-restaurant was opened on July 6, 1817,although the month is a favorable margin for celebration.

About 55 employees, including 18 women,and two winners of the international Habanosommelier contest (a fusion of drinks, food and cigars), Zudlay Naples and Orlando Blanco, the latter maitre sommelier of the bar-restaurant, are working there. This is also a restaurant of celebrities, because some of them such as Paco Rabanne, Naomi Campbell, Matt Dillon, Kate Mosse, Dany Glober, Jack Nicholson, Fito Paez and Jean-Paul Belmondo, among others, have visited the facility.

The Floridita is a seafood restaurant with great wine lists.

As a new feature, the world's biggest Daiquiri was prepared there four years ago.

Located at Obispo St. no. 557 in Old Havana,this is a highly visited and attractive restaurant.