The recent news that Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has handed over the reins to his brother Raul (at least temporarily) while he undergoes surgery for intestinal bleeding, has kicked off intense speculation about the island’s political future. But within the industry of top-tier clubs, restaurants and hotels, the question of the day isn’t “Communism or Democracy?” it’s “bottle-service bar or boutique hotel?” According to an item in today’s Page Six, the Ian Schragers of the world are already envisioning Havana as a kind of South Beach South, crumbling infrastructure and economy be damned.

“I guess I’m in the catbird seat,” said Tommy Puccio, the top South Beach promoter who reigns at Andre Balasz’s Raleigh hotel and the club Sweet. “When I got here in ‘91, I said I wanted to be the first one to serve Jell-O shots in Cuba. Here it is 2006, and it might just be reality now. ... You could Jet-Ski there on a full tank.”

“There’s a part of old Havana that has a kind of charm,” said Ian Schrager, whose luxe residential Gramercy Park Hotel opens this week. “It’s got great architecture. ... It’s a very special place.”

Elsewhere:
- ‘Cuba libre? N.Y. and Miami club owners say they’ll drink to that’ (NY Daily News – 2nd item)
- ‘Cuba says communists in control’ (Reuters)