Inside Ybor City’s Cuban Club with Patrick Manteiga

Tampa Bay Community Network Unplugged

In this episode of Hillsborough Heritage Exploration, host Jimmy Flint-Smith sits down with Patrick Manteiga, publisher of La Gaceta, to discuss the rich history and lasting cultural legacy of the Cuban Club (El Círculo Cubano de Tampa) in Ybor City. Founded in 1902 by Cuban immigrants, the Cuban Club was much more than a gathering place: it provided healthcare, social services, and cultural enrichment for its members. After its original building was lost to fire in 1916, the grand four-story structure built in 1917 became a landmark of Neoclassical architecture and community pride. With its theater, ballroom, library, cantina, and murals, the Cuban Club has stood as a hub for music, theater, and celebration while preserving Cuban identity for generations. Patrick shares insights about the club’s role as a mutual aid society, its service as a temporary hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic, and its ongoing significance as both a historic venue and a cultural institution. Join us as we uncover the stories behind one of Ybor City’s most treasured landmarks.