Entertainment in Dominican Republic
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Caribbean Coffee & Tea
Tucked into Plaza Andalucia, a small strip mall, this café is popular with a young upscale crowd from the surrounding Los Angeles–like neighborhood. While there’s nothing to see other than a busy intersection, sitting at one of the outdoor tables sipping a cappuccino (US$2) or tea (US$1.50) is a pleasant way to while away an afternoon. Wraps (US$10), paninis (US$7) and salads (US$6) are also available.
reviewed
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Estadio Quisqueya
One of the better places to see a game and experience the madness is at the home field for two of the DR’s six professional teams, Licey (www.licey.com) and Escogido (www.escogido). You can get tickets to most games by arriving at the stadium shortly before the first inning; games between rivals Licey and Escogido or Licey and the Águilas sell out more quickly. Asking for the best seats available at the box office is likely to cost US$18 and put you within meters of either the ballplayers or the between innings dancers. Scalpers also congregate along the road to the stadium and at the entrance.
reviewed
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Gallera
For those interested in one of the quintessential Dominican experiences, Las Terrenas has a gallera, located on Calle Principal just past Plaza Rosada. There are around a dozen matchups per night. Tourists are welcome, but the fights are certainly not watered down and betting is still an integral part of the event. Volunteers help explain the rules, strategy and wagering to cockfight neophytes.
reviewed
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Hispaniola Hotel & Casino
This large hotel on the Malecón has a casino. It generally opens at 4pm and closes at 4am. Bets may be placed in Dominican pesos or US dollars. Las Vegas odds and rules generally apply, though there are some variations; it doesn’t hurt to ask the dealer what differences he or she is aware of before you start laying down money. All of the dealers at this casino speak Spanish and English.
reviewed
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Hotel Santo Domingo
This large hotel on the Malecón has a casino. It generally opens at 4pm and closes at 4am. Bets may be placed in Dominican pesos or US dollars. Las Vegas odds and rules generally apply, though there are some variations; it doesn’t hurt to ask the dealer what differences he or she is aware of before you start laying down money. All of the dealers at this casino speak Spanish and English.
reviewed
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Paco Cabana Restaurant/Bar
Located just west of the main intersection in town, Paco Cabana makes great use of its beachside location. Beds and comfortable couches piled with pillows make for a breezy and beautiful place to lounge late into the night. The vibe is sophisticated Miami and, while drinks are the draw, there’s a kitchen that serves everything from basics such as hamburgers (US$8.50) to lobster (US$18).
reviewed
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Segafredo Zanetti Espresso
One of a number of cafés lining this cobblestoned alleyway, Segafredo stands out because of its cool indoor bar, which wouldn’t be out of place in a trendy neighborhood of New York or Paris. You can lounge around with a mixed drink (US$4.50) on one of the day beds or retreat to a nook in the back. Crepes, paninis and other morsels are also served inside and out.
reviewed
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Atarazana 9
Just off Plaza España on a cobblestone alleyway, Atarazana 9 feels like a cool neighborhood bar where regulars get served their favorite beers without asking; tourists wandering in after a meal in the Zona Colonial are equally welcome. There’s a stage as well, where live music is sometimes performed.
reviewed
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Guácara Taína
A somewhat legendary nightclub, now maybe at least as popular with cruise-ship passengers as Dominicans, Guácara Taína is still an interesting place to party. Located inside a huge underground cave in the Parque Mirado del Sur, this club hosts everything from raves to live merengue and hip-hop acts.
reviewed
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Jubilee
A long-standing hot spot, this nightclub in the Jaragua Hotel continues to draw in good-looking, well-heeled and well-dressed hordes looking to get down to live merengue music; most nights it doesn’t get hopping until around midnight. Drink bills can be pretty steep at the end of a long evening.
reviewed
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A
El Viejo Jack
This liquor-store-cum-bar is full of enormous glass cases of dust-free premium booze, which Jarabacoa’s elite quaff by the bottleful. Balloon wine glasses give a certain panache to sharing an entire bottle of cognac with friends. Big-screen projection TV too, and the beer is icy cold.
reviewed
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Haagen-Dazs
We know it’s a Haagen-Dazs, but this modern, sleek and most importantly air-conditioned place is an oasis for those foolhardy enough to walk along this sun-baked stretch of asphalt. Shakes ($5), ice-cream sodas ($4), ice coffees ($3) and, of course, plain old ice cream are available.
reviewed
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Nowhere
This club, just steps from Parque Colón, has had a long shelf life for the here today–gone tomorrow world of Santo Domingo nightspots. Once past the doorman, a maze of bars and dance floors are scattered over two floors. It doesn’t get busy till late; ladies’ night on Thursday.
reviewed
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Los Tres Mosqueteros
This bar-café is one of several lining a cobblestone alleyway a few steps from Parque Colón. In addition to outdoor seating, it has an elegant indoor space with high ceilings and overhead fans. For those looking to make an afternoon of it, there’s free wi-fi and a full menu.
reviewed
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La Parada Cervecera
This classic Dominican joint, a combination carwash-bar, isn’t exactly a good advertisement against drinking and driving. It’s an open-air place directly on a busy intersection of the Malecón; the loud music barely drains out the backfiring and honking traffic.
reviewed
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B
Entre Amigos
This thumping bar is the best party in town – expect merengue, salsa and reggaeton, and elbow-to-elbow service at the bar. There’s often karaoke early in the evening, ending at 11pm. After that you’ll need earplugs (and maybe before, depending on the karaoke).
reviewed
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Monte Cristo
This sophisticated club doubles as a cigar lounge with good wine and mixed drinks thrown in as well. There’s a dance floor for merengue and salsa and live music on Wednesday. Weekends tend to be a hodge-podge of salsa, merengue, reggaeton and Latin rock.
reviewed
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Onno’s
This edgy, foreign-owned restaurant and nightclub serves some of the cheapest food on the beach – a basic breakfast goes for just US$2, and salads for US$7. At night a DJ spins a decent set, and the party spills out onto the beach.
reviewed
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Scandinavien Beach Bar and Restaurant
The Scandinavien Beach Bar and Restaurant on the shady Sosúa beach promenade has drawn quite a following and is famous for its great burgers, cold beers, and, more importantly, the cleanest bathroom on the beach.
reviewed
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Jet Set
A trendy, good-looking crowd flocks to this 7th-floor disco. Besides offering great views of the city, there’s live music – salsa, merengue – most nights of the week and bachata on Mondays. Happy hour from 5pm to 9pm.
reviewed
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1492
The horseshoe-shaped wood bar is conducive for conversation; the dim lighting is flattering and the barkeep-owner is friendly; located on a quiet street in the Zona Colonial, appropriately enough, 1492 feels like a discovery.
reviewed
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Bambú
Just 100m west of Onno’s, this bar and disco plays loud house music and reggaeton, and the crowd spills out onto the beach until it merges with that at Onno’s. Bring earplugs in case of rain (so you can stand inside).
reviewed
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Praia
A bar and wine lounge à la Soho – either NYC or London – Praia attracts a well-heeled Dominican clientele. The drinks are expensive, and the music, suitable for the modern minimalist decor, is electronica.
reviewed
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Double’s Bar
Good-looking 20-somethings grind away to loud pop and Latin music at Double’s. Others lounge around in groups downing bottles of Presidente, while the classic long wood bar is better for conversation.
reviewed
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Ocean Sands Casino
The on-site disco plays loud merengue and reggaeton, and doesn’t begin to fill up till way past midnight. One of your few options after the bars close. Moderate presence of sex workers.
reviewed