For decades, a bottle of Havana Club rum has been the holy grail for bartenders and cocktail lovers alike.

But Cuba—off limits to U.S. travelers for years despite being located a frustratingly close 90 miles off the coast of Florida—was just out of reach for law-abiding drinkers. Havana Club’s famous rum was, naturally, smuggled home in suitcases from trips abroad, and some daring souls made clandestine missions to the country through the Caribbean or Mexico, bringing back stories of visits to all the famous bars the rest of us could only dream about.

Thanks to former-President Barack Obama’s administration, it is now much easier for Americans to visit Cuba (complete with direct flights on JetBlue) and the country is suddenly within reach for those dreaming of an Ernest Hemingway­-inspired bar crawl. But there is a sense of urgency to visit Havana before the city is overrun with American tourists and Starbucks and McDonald’s line the streets. Potential cruise ship traffic could also drown the city in a sea of fanny packs, and that’s not to mention the current administration’s ideas about trying to undo Obama’s moves and limiting access for Americans once again.

FLORIDITA

It’s practically a rule that if you make it to Havana, you need to have a Daiquiri at Floridita. Constante Ribalaigua Vert, arguably the country’s most famous bartender, ran the joint for years, and it was a favorite of Hemingway. According to lore, it was where he supposedly invented his eponymous (and boozy) version of the Daiquiri. To honor his patronage, there is a bronze statue of a thirsty Papa resting one arm on the bar and a photo of him with Castro on the wall.

SLOPPY JOE’S

LA BODEGUITA DEL MEDIO

For such a small island, Cuba boasts a number of famous rum cocktail specialties, including the aforementioned Daiquiri, the Cuba Libre, and the Mojito. While no one is sure who created the Mojito, La Bodeguita del Medio takes credit for the invention. The jury is still out on that claim, but the charming graffiti-covered bar serves up dozens and dozens of the drink every day.

DOS HERMANOS

Sloppy Joe’s isn’t the only establishment to get a makeover. Dos Hermanos, which opened more than a century ago, was remodeled and spiffed up. It’s another popular spot for people on a historic Havana bar crawl.

EL COCINERO

If you’re willing to try a spot that didn’t host Hemingway, have dinner and drinks on El Cocinero’s beautiful outdoor patio. You’ll have no problem finding the restaurant, since its name is emblazoned on an old smokestack that anchors one of its corners.

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Just need to get away.