Little Havana’s late-night institution Hoy Como Ayer has a new name on the paperwork, and it is a familiar one. Chef Michael Beltran’s Ariete Hospitality Group has taken ownership of the storied Calle Ocho music room, a decades-old home for live salsa and neighborhood nightlife. The change, announced March 24, 2026, puts Beltran, whose portfolio ranges from fast‑casual Chuggie’s to Michelin‑honored Ariete, in charge of a room best known for sweaty, late‑night dancing. For now, the main room is keeping its weekend programming while management figures out what is next for the adjoining La Sala.
According to What Now, Ariete Hospitality Group has partnered with Ear Candy Music to handle programming and has already assumed operation of the club at 2212 SW Eighth Street. The outlet notes that the transition is effective immediately and that Friday and Saturday salsa nights in the main room will stay on the calendar under the new ownership.
Hoy Como Ayer’s own site lists hours and space details, including live music on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 p.m. and an approximate 120‑person capacity for the main room. The site also describes La Sala as an intimate lounge and highlights private‑events booking as an existing feature.
Beltran's Plan: Keep The Soul, Add Hospitality Muscle
Beltran is not trying to reinvent a neighborhood legend overnight. “The DNA of Hoy Como Ayer will remain, and we are focused on honoring its legacy through intentional food and beverage programming,” he said in a statement reproduced by What Now. The deal combines Beltran’s hospitality infrastructure with local promoters, a pairing partners say is meant to steady bookings and sharpen the front‑of‑house experience without stripping out the club’s soul.
From Michelin Kitchens To Calle Ocho
Beltran is best known for Ariete, the Michelin‑honored restaurant that anchors Ariete Hospitality Group’s portfolio, a background the team says will inform how they tweak the club. On its site, Ariete Hospitality Group plays up both fine‑dining accolades and more casual neighborhood projects, a mix that helps explain why Hoy Como Ayer is being treated internally as a cultural asset to preserve rather than a blank slate to flip.
La Sala And Private Events
The venue’s "Private Events" and "Spaces" pages describe La Sala as a roughly 60‑person lounge and offer a booking portal for parties, a clear sign that private events are part of the immediate business plan. The spaces page also notes that La Sala is currently operated by Cafe Huella, while the main room continues to host curated DJ sets and the occasional surprise live act.
Why This Matters
Hoy Como Ayer’s recent comeback has been warmly received by reviewers and locals since its 2024 return, and it remains one of the few Calle Ocho spots where late‑night salsa and neighborhood culture share the same crowded dance floor. Guides like The Infatuation say the refreshed venue keeps an old‑school vibe while quietly upgrading drinks and service.
For now, regulars can expect the same late‑night energy on weekends, with any changes to La Sala rolling out more slowly. Reservations and private‑event questions still run through the venue’s booking form, and with Ariete Hospitality Group now steering operations, the Calle Ocho mainstay has additional resources behind the scenes even as the dancing out front goes on as usual.
