Where to go dancing in Port-au-Prince

Dance to your own beat

With the sun sinking into the horizon over Bay du Port-au-Prince, the capital’s plethora of excellent bars are prime territory for drinking – and dancing – like a local.

But where to start? That’s where we come in! For week-long opportunities of nights out dancing in Port-au-Prince, here are our top recommendations:

01. Yanvalou, Pacot

Yanvalou is a staple in Haitian nightlife. Once a week, it turns into party city with some of the capital’s best and freshest DJs, often featured alongside a performing band like Akoustik or Pawòl Tanbou, both regulars on the stage here. There is a cover charge of 500 HTG (about 5 U.S. dollars), and the party starts at 9 PM. When: Thursdays!

02. Fubar, Pétion-Ville

If you are in Pétion-Ville, this club is the place to be. Fubar is where you’ll find the city’s best flashback night, spinning everything from dancehall to old-school hip-hop. It’s always a fun time, especially with a great group of people! P.S.: there’s no cover charge! When: Fridays!

03. Carnival!

Carnival isn’t a venue, it’s an event. Or a month? Or maybe the real spirit of Haiti, descending underground for 11 months every year. Carnival is the best time to be in Haiti if you want the country to show you a good time!

While it may seem daunting to join in as an outsider, it is anything but – from pre-carnival Sunday daytime activities, to day-long activities on Champ-de-Mars during carnival itself, everything about Carnival in Haiti is an invitation to get moving. We recommend going in a good group – and staying smart – as it’s a super-crowded event. If you’re in Port-au-Prince during Carnival, you won’t have to wait until sundown to get your groove one – there’s dancing all day long!

Note: Separate carnivals happen across the country on a staggered schedule, so if you can’t be in PAP for the capital city’s carnival, you might be able to make it to Jacmel Carnival instead. When: January to February!

04. Asu Rooftop Lounge, Juvénat

The fashion crowd heads to Asu – a notch more sleek and sophisticated than other venues on this list. You’ll find this rooftop lounge above Karibe Hotel in Juvénat. Asu is the home of house music in Haiti, and you’ll hear everything from popular hits to underground cuts. Reservations are strongly recommended. When: Fridays and Saturdays!

05. Presse Café, Pétion-Ville

For those seeking a more traditional, authentic musical experience of Haiti during their stay here, we can’t recommend Presse Café strongly enough. With a cozy, intimate setting, Presse Café is the destination for all things compas/kompa – a distinctive Haitian musical thread that crystallised in the 1950s after the band Conjunto International popularised it in mainstream music. Haitian compas legend Dadou Pasquet holds a residency at Presse Café on Friday nights. When: Fridays!

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06. Goose Bar, in Tabarre

Island vibes call the island tribe! If you are looking for a low-key place to relax, unwind, and have a good, wholesome time – head over to Goose Bar in Tabarre! They host a weekly reggae event with a DJ and host that is sure to take the edge off a tough day. When: Wednesdays!

07. Anti-Stress, Lalue

Marked only by a small sign invisible to the untrained eye, Anti-Stress is one of those places that always has something going on, all week long – great music, ice-cold beers, and even a pool, if you’re trying to refresh, too! When you need a guaranteed good time no matter when you drop by, go straight to Anti-Stress! When: All week long!

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published March 2020

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