Facing the iconic Castillo de San Felipe del Morro sits a cozy restaurant with a unique design and decor that brings you back to the Puerto Rico of the 50s. Its name is Cinema Bar 1950. The restaurant opened back in February 2014, and since then, many locals and tourists alike have enjoyed its cuisine and wide variety of mojitos crafted with natural fruits.
On Thursday, April 16, a select group of guests had the opportunity to enjoy the inauguration of the two theaters at Cinema Bar 1950 located in the Cuartel Ballajá of Old San Juan. The event kicked off with a welcome cocktail where those in assistance got a chance to taste the different dishes of the restaurant’s creole menu, such as Surtido Jibaro and the exquisite Arroz Estilo Capo which is similar to a mamposteao rice with chicken, steak, pork, and sausage.
At 9:00 p.m., the group of guests were escorted to one of the movie theatres where Viviana Busquets, the event coordinator, thanked everyone in attendance for taking part in the historic event and Tito Enriquez, owner of the restaurant, shared valuable information about the history of the establishment. Elegant lamps, ample chairs, and convenient tables ideal for placing food and drinks are available in each theatre which has the capacity to seat 68 people. Each cinema room comes equipped with Digital HD, audio surround sound, and the proper lighting to provide an unforgettable experience.
The highlight of the night was the screening of the foreign film Ida. A polish drama directed by Pawet Pawlikowski. It premiered in 2013 at the Gdynia Film Festival and was honored with various Polish and European awards, including best movie by the Polish Academy of Film and the European Film Academy. It was later nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Achievement in Cinematography in the 87th edition of the Oscars, where it won the Best Foreign Film award. During the screening of the film, the celebration continued since servers where always available to cater to the guests.
Up until now, the theatres had been used to showcase plays by local actors. Now, they will feature foreign films. Tickets can be purchased through Facebook, their webpage, or at the entrance. They have a cost of $6.00. Cinema Bar 1950 is a new alternative for those that seek to get out of their normal routine and are craving an enriching experience in a beautiful setting.
