Haiti Then and Now: A Journey from Vibrant Culture to Uncertainty

Once a beacon of culture and social vibrancy, Haiti stands today in stark contrast to the shadows it has fallen into. From 1920 to 1986, the country was a thriving hub of nightlife, restaurants, cinemas, and hotels, bringing communities together to celebrate life, art, and shared experiences. These establishments were more than physical spaces—they were symbols of a nation’s spirit, resilience, and culture.

A Golden Era of Leisure and Unity

Port-au-Prince and its surroundings boasted venues that defined an era. Iconic spots like Cabane Choucoune, Le Lambi Night Club, Cercle Bellevue, and Chez Maxim were not just places of entertainment; they embodied Haitian pride and sophistication. Cinemas such as Capitol, Rex, Triomphe, and Ciné Canapé Vert served as gateways to the imagination, fostering creativity and community among families and youth alike.

Hotels like El Rancho, Ibo Lele, and Montana welcomed global visitors and served as gathering places for locals, blending elegance with hospitality. Restaurants and bakeries like Boulangerie Maggy and Le Poisson Restaurant became culinary landmarks where laughter and storytelling thrived. These establishments offered more than leisure—they created jobs, inspired art, and upheld a society rooted in unity and progress.

A Bleak Reality Today

Today, the scene is vastly different. The vibrant establishments of yesteryear have shuttered, abandoned, or been forgotten. Once-bustling cultural spaces now exist as mere relics of a golden era. Cinemas are no longer entertainment hubs; hotels that once hosted dignitaries and artists now struggle for survival amidst widespread chaos.

This stark transformation serves as a painful reminder of what Haiti has lost and continues to risk losing. The vibrant societal fabric of the 20th century has been frayed by decades of political instability, economic decline, and rising violence. The joyous echoes of music and laughter have been replaced by silence and fear.

Who Is to Blame?

Haiti’s decline accelerated after the fall of the Duvalier regime in 1986. While that period remains contentious, it marked the last semblance of stability for many. Today’s chaos is compounded by the rise of the gangs whose control over streets has paralyzed the nation. What were once lively, safe avenues are now overrun by insecurity and lawlessness.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The question looms: Can Haiti reclaim its glory, or will it succumb to despair? The extensive list of places that once brought joy and unity to Haitians is more than nostalgia—it is a call to action. Haiti knew joy, growth, and pride. These values can and must be restored.

To do so, Haitians must confront tough questions:

• How can we reclaim our streets, culture, and pride?
• What steps are needed to address insecurity and lawlessness?
• Who will lead the charge for change, and how will the collective support this effort?

A Call to Action

The current state of Haiti is not a source of shame—it is a wake-up call. It is our collective failure to act that would dishonor the legacy of our ancestors. Haiti’s cultural rebirth demands courage, unity, and decisive leadership. These are the same values that our forefathers embraced and that we must now embody.

To leave Haiti in its current peril is to betray its history. To rebuild it is to honor the generations that came before us. The road ahead will be difficult, but it is not impossible. Brick by brick, step by step, we can restore Haiti to its former glory.

Haiti deserves better. The only question is: Are we ready to make it happen?

---

List of Haiti’s Former Attractions (1920–1986)

Haitians once gathered at vibrant venues such as Ajoupa (Drouillard), Ansyto Félix (Kay Pè Féfé), Auberge Du Québec, Aux Calebasses, Aux Palmistes Night Club (Portail Léogâne), Babaco Ex Chez Maxim, Bamboulinos, Bar de l’ère, Bazar La Caridad, Bato Fu, Bazar La Poste, Boulangerie Maggy (Kay Daniel Rue Saint Honoré), Boulangerie Morel, Boulangerie Boulangerie Peters, Saint Marc, Brisa Del Mar, Byblos (Route de Delmas Off PV), C’est Mon Etoile (Grand Rue), Cabane Choucoune, Cabane Créole, Cabane Yaya, Café des Arts, Café de la paix, Canne à Sucre, Caroussel Disco (Fontamara), Caribeño, Casa Blanca, Cercle Bellevue, Château Royal (Fontamara), Chez Cator (Mariani), Chez Eugène Paul (Coin Stade Sylvio Cator), Chez Gérard (Portail), Chez Maxim, Chez Ti Doc (Portail), Chez Tony, Chez Yvanne (Angle O. Durand, Rue de L’enterrement Kafou Langue), City Club, ChooChoo Train (Route De L’aéroport), Club Camaraderie (Bois Verna), Club International (Route de Frère), Club Porto Princiens, Cocorico (Coco Vincent Carrefour Feuilles), Conga Bar-Hôtel-Disco (5eme Avenue), Coquillage (Mariani), Cordon Bleu (Magloire Ambroise), Ding A Ling, Djoumbala, Domaine Idéal, Epicure, Faces, Freddy’s, Garage (Chez Midi), Habitation Leclerc, Happening, Harry Policard (Cours de danse), Hôtel Acropolis, Hôtel Beau Rivage, Hôtel Castel Haiti, Hôtel Christopher, Hôtel Doux Séjour, Hôtel El Rancho, Hôtel Holiday Inn (Le Plaza), Hôtel Ibo Lele, Hôtel Le Flamboyant (Canape-Vert), Hôtel Montana, Hôtel My Dream (Grand Rue), Hôtel National Number One, Hôtel Norway (Guérite La Saline), Hôtel Oloffson, Hôtel Park, Hôtel La Patience (Coin Lycée Toussaint), Hôtel Prince (Pacot), Hôtel Pêle Mêle (Grand Rue), Hôtel Relax (Diquini), Hôtel San Carlos (Grand Rue), Hôtel Splendide (Coin Gérard Gourgue), Hôtel Villa Saint Louis, Kay Gwo Manman (Mariani), Kay Louise (Mgr Guilloux Dos Stade Réf Pharmacie Vincent), King’s Club Ex Le Marquis, L’Anolis, L’Auberge, La Belle Epoque, La Belle Lune (Madame Roger), La Coupole, La Détente (Rez de Chaussée Stade Sylvio Cator – Tinès), La Frégate, Lakay Disco, La Marinière, La Pause (Drouillard), La Piscina, Le Casino International, Le Chandelier (Delmas 33), Le Florville, Le Lambi Night Club, Le Marquis, Le Méridien (Ex Aux Calebasses), Le Palace, Le Relais du Champs Mars, Le Poisson Restaurant (Mariani), Le Récif,  3 Poissons, Michèle Scotch Club, Mister P (Pierrot Alkhal), Monte Carlo, Napolitano, OK Coral (Gédéon), Olympia Night Club (Bon Repos), Paladium, Poco a Poco, Paulema, Rendez-vous des Hirondelles, Retro Folies, Ricardo Inn, Rond Point Restaurant, Roland Inn, Royal Haitian Club, Santana Bar (Chemin des dalles), Sous La Tonnelle, Steak inn, Tiffany Restaurant, Tom Tom Bar Ruelle Alerte, Sous Les Manguiers (Bourdon-PV), Vertaillis Night Club, VIP (Rue Dr Aubry), Youri Borno Poissonnerie (Martissant), and Zodiac Bar Resto (Martissant 5).

Theaters such as Cinema Capitol, Rex, Paramount, Triomphe, Cabanon, Ciné Canapé Vert, Montparnasse, Deluxe Auto Ciné, Ciné Parc, Drive Inn, Rancho, Imperial, Lido, Cine, El Dorado,  and Magic Ciné were central to Haiti’s rich cultural life.

Story published on December 19, 2024 | Photo Credit: Johnny Sandaire