This week, YouTuber VictorG explored the remnants of the once-famous Havana Club nightclub, located at the Comodoro Hotel in Miramar. His video, shared on Facebook, has already garnered over 156,000 views, showcasing hollow walls, graffiti, debris, and a stark warning for those considering a solo visit.
"Don't come alone, people. You saw what happened. They were throwing stones. This is dangerous," VictorG cautioned during his tour, after stones were hurled from upper floors by individuals targeting visitors.
The Decay of a Nightlife Icon
Once the heart of Havana's nightlife in the 1990s, the space is now unrecognizable. Where a three-level dance floor with spiral staircases once offered ocean views, decades of accumulated moisture have formed stalactites and stalagmites inside. VictorG admitted he had never seen anything like it in an abandoned site.
"The famous Havana Club disco. Arguably the best nightclub of its time in Cuba. It was the epicenter of the dance scene in the '90s in Havana, where many DJs emerged, and the youth embraced the night," the YouTuber described. In stark contrast, he added, "Today, hollow walls, graffiti, and piles of rubble tell a different story."
From Glamour to Abandonment
At its peak, the nightclub could accommodate around 800 guests, had a separate entrance from the hotel, and charged five dollars for entry—a significant amount in Cuba during that era. "This was the 'it' spot back then," recalled VictorG, who had frequented the venue during its operational years.
The club shuttered in October 1998 during the regime's "Operation Lacra," a police crackdown on prostitution and drug use in Havana's tourist areas, impacting other venues like Café Cantante and Palacio de la Salsa. It briefly reopened in 2000 but closed permanently in 2001. The government announced plans for its rehabilitation in 2018, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
A Haven for the Displaced
Beyond structural decay, the video reveals makeshift homes erected by people living amidst the debris.
Comments on the video express both nostalgia and anger. "The Comodoro disco was a fantastic place, the best in '92, at its peak, offering great nights," wrote Victor Rodriguez. William Barroso, who worked in tourism, remembered it as "out of this world, the best in technology," mentioning the project owner, a Spaniard known as Yordi, whom he knew personally as a client at La Cecilia restaurant.
This is not the first time the site's condition has sparked online reactions. In April 2024, it was described as an open-air dump. By September that same year, comedian Jardiel González depicted it as a massive garbage heap. In July 2025, a video by TikToker @despingoverychannel reignited collective memories of the venue.
The Comodoro nightclub has become another symbol of Havana's cultural landmarks lost to institutional neglect, alongside the Havana Yacht Club, the old Coney Island, and the Spanish Casino, following a pattern of decay despite restoration promises.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Havana Club Nightclub
Why is the Havana Club nightclub in ruins?
The Havana Club nightclub fell into disrepair due to years of neglect following its closure, coupled with unfulfilled government promises for rehabilitation.
What made the Havana Club famous in the 1990s?
In the 1990s, the Havana Club was renowned as a vibrant epicenter of nightlife in Havana, hosting emerging DJs and providing a popular venue for the youth to enjoy dance and music.
What hazards exist for visitors to the nightclub ruins?
Visitors to the nightclub ruins face dangers from structural instability, debris, and potential hostility from individuals in the area, as highlighted by stones being thrown at visitors.