Havana nightclub “forced to close” at the end of the year

Friday 18 October 2024

One of Jersey’s last remaining nightclubs will close at the end of the year in the latest blow to the island's nightlife industry.

The owners of Havana took to social media to announce the club was being “forced to close” due to reasons outside their control.

Islanders can party for the final time at the iconic Bath-street venue on 22 December.

In a statement, the club owners explained that the decision was driven by building works unrelated to Havana, and that all tenants would have to vacate the building by 24 December. 

The statement continued: “We had some exciting plans for the future but unfortunately the opportunity to make that a reality has been taken away.”

The news follows a string of recent bar and nightclub closures including ROJO, WYSIWYG, and Ce Soir.

Havana manager Johnny Young, who has been in the industry for four decades, said: “We wanted to thank our local customers and the people who have supported us over the years.” 

Speaking about the trend of club closures, the manager warned that fewer regulated venues could push young people toward unmonitored house parties.

He said: "The nightclub closures will only give youngsters less choices of where to go, pushing them into house parties where drinking is not regulated and behaviour is not managed, meaning that things can quickly spiral out of control.

“My concern is for the kids who have nowhere to go.”

Johnny emphasised that the closure was beyond the business' control and not something they wanted to do.

Other businesses occupying the building, such as Gracie Barra Jersey Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, have also been asked to leave.