A nightlife venue in Santa Clara, located in Villa Clara, has been fined after multiple scams and pricing violations were discovered. The Piano Bar "El Dorado," situated between the iconic Parque Vidal and the Santaclareño Boulevard, was found guilty of various infractions, including overcharging and deceiving patrons, according to a post on the Facebook page "Inspección Villa Clara."
The violations included selling Unlaguer beer cans for 230 Cuban pesos (CUP) instead of the regulated price of 200 CUP. Similarly, imported Chanceler whiskey bottles were sold for 2,000 CUP instead of the stipulated 1,485 CUP. Additionally, the venue's management charged 600 CUP per table on top of the 100 CUP entry fee, under the pretext that they needed to compensate the artists performing at the venue due to empty tables.
Inspectors from Villa Clara reported that they fined the establishment between 8,000 CUP and 10,000 CUP, in accordance with relevant decrees. They also promptly submitted requests for disciplinary actions against those responsible for the violations.
A Changing Scene in Santa Clara
The Piano Bar "El Dorado" was established during a time when Santa Clara was attempting to revitalize its nightlife and bring a cultural touch to the city's main thoroughfares. However, over the years, the venue has not been immune to the ongoing crisis affecting the Cuban economy.
Another example of a struggling leisure spot in Santa Clara is the club La Minerva. In 2019, the club became embroiled in a major corruption scandal just four months after its grand reopening, resulting in the dismissal of its administrators and sanctions against its staff.
Government Crackdown
Recently, during the summer season in July and August, the Villa Clara government imposed fines of up to 15,000 CUP on individuals involved in corruption at various hotels in the province. Inspections uncovered numerous irregularities at the Motel Las Tecas and the Hotel Riviera, including consumer deception, pricing violations, and illegal activities.
The ongoing economic challenges in Cuba continue to impact businesses and consumers alike, as authorities strive to curb corruption and enforce pricing regulations.