Must-see nightlife in Dominican Republic

  • Mamey Librería Café

    Santo Domingo

    This fashionable cafe, art gallery, bookstore and cinema is housed within the charming former abode of Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi, one of the Dominican…

  • Rooftop Tasting Terrace

    Santo Domingo

    The dissidence, though pleasurable, couldn't be more extreme here, sipping rum-based cocktails on an astroturfed 3rd floor directly across the street from…

  • El Mosquito Art Bar

    Las Terrenas

    The hottest bar in Las Terrenas by a landslide, this open-air lounge is a good-time juxtaposition of rustic lounge furniture, fairy-light-lit trees,…

  • La Entradita

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    The road past mostly undeveloped plots earmarked for suburban-like developments ends rather surprisingly at this raucous and happening two-story…

  • La Alpargatería

    Santo Domingo

    At the entrance, guests step into a shoe shop where artisans craft espadrilles. Continuing to the back, though, the store opens into a trendy cafe with…

  • Boka's Bar & Bistro

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    The city's most happening and sophisticated spot, this cocktail bar near the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia does a lethal, vodka-laced…

  • Mercado Colón

    Santo Domingo

    This collection of artisanal food and alcohol vendors is housed under one Zona Colonial roof, with communal courtyard seating. It's a good place to drink…

  • Cultura Cervecera

    Santo Domingo

    A place of refuge for hopheads both Dominican and foreign, this is one of the city's best bets to escape the Presidente stranglehold on beer geeks. There…

  • Mamma Luxury Hall

    Santo Domingo

    If the thickness of the bouncers' necks is any indication of how good the bar is, consider Mamma Club the hottest place in town. In the heart of the…

  • Huracan Café

    Bávaro & Punta Cana

    This chill beach bar and sand lounge is quietly positioned out of street view in Los Corales and favored by hip expats, residents and trendier tourists…

  • Lost Bar

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    A favourite of local expats who thought tourists would never find it. Think again! Tucked away in a residential neighborhood less than five minutes' walk…

  • Drink Point

    Bávaro & Punta Cana

    If you'd like to avoid gaggles of tourists, head straight to Drink Point at the corner of Av España and Av Francia, where Dominicans pack in nightly. The…

  • Eli's Beermarket

    Santo Domingo

    Dozens of imported craft beers from around the world, including a good representation of Belgian and German ones served up – slowly, when busy – on the…

  • Kukara Macara Country Bar & Restaurant

    Santiago

    Customers enter through old saloon doors and are welcomed by servers dressed like cowgirls and cowboys at this kitschy but fun western-themed restaurant …

  • One Love Surfshack

    Las Terrenas

    Canadian-owned One Love is a great place to down a few cold ones (there's a two-for-one happy hour from 5pm till 8pm) to the tune of crashing waves – you…

  • El Sartén

    Santo Domingo

    A diverse mix of capitaleños (Santo Domingo residents) get down to son (Afro-Cuban percussion), bachata (popular guitar music based on bolero rhythms) and…

  • Parada 77

    Santo Domingo

    Thankfully, there's no dress code at this laid-back, grungy place with graffiti-covered walls, strong sangria and a merengue soundtrack. The vibe becomes…

  • Ahí-Bar

    Santiago

    The best of a string of bars on Calle RC Tolentino, Ahí has an open-air patio set above street level. Most people come to drink, but the food's decent too…

  • Aguamarina Lounge

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    This small, outdoor bar, part of a hair salon, sits on a lively corner and is a fine spot to knock back a couple of rounds of the classic rum cocktail of…

  • New Monte Bar

    Santiago

    A diverse mix of locals, dom-yors (Dominicans living in New York City) and even a celebrity baseball player or two come here for serious merengue music…

  • Corner Coffee Shop

    Santo Domingo

    Serene cafe with tables spilling out onto a picturesque cobblestone lane good for a cappucino or a glass of wine (RD$190). These are best accompanied with…

  • El Catamaran

    North Coast

    Local watering hole where tourists are frowned upon until enough rum is consumed, then welcomed with open arms. Then cursed at. Then welcomed again…

  • El Conde Restaurant

    Santo Domingo

    Hands down the best place for an afternoon drink. As much a restaurant as a cafe, El Conde’s appeal isn’t its varied menu of decent but overpriced food …

  • Onno’s Bar

    Santo Domingo

    There’s always something going on at this hot spot just off El Conde, with several flat-screen TVs, lasers, an illuminated bar, DJs and a smoke machine…

  • Jet Set

    Santo Domingo

    A trendy, good-looking crowd flocks to this 45-year-old disco, often aglow with neon lights and an oversized illuminated dance floor. Hosts salsa,…

  • Onno's

    Bávaro & Punta Cana

    This open-air bar right on El Cortecito beach is without question one of the area's best independent spots to order a cocktail, which you can down to DJs…

  • La Carihuela Beach

    Puerto Plata

    The best bar along the Malecón does a killer churrasco, and hosts live merengue bands and DJs on the weekend. The most popular libations are mojitos and…

  • El Andariego Bar & Pub

    Santo Domingo

    This chic little bar draws a party crowd with its Thursday karaoke and mojito nights in a beautiful courtyard; check the Facebook page for the live-music…

  • Esedeku

    Santo Domingo

    Only a block from Calle El Conde, Esedeku is an intimate bar with a huge selection of cocktails. It's popular with local professionals; not for hustlers.

  • Leaf

    Cabarete

    This lounge is the only place on the beach to hear house and techno music (you'll recognize it by its neon blue lighting). Dancing goes 'til late.

  • Cava Alta

    Santo Domingo

    Classy and sophisticated wine bar with a massive global selection at affordable prices. Service is equally top notch, as is the tapas menu.

  • Lazotea

    Santiago

    This bar atop the Plaza Bella Terra shopping mall has great views and a good after-work scene. Reserve ahead for nights.

  • G Lounge

    Santo Domingo

    A beloved gay bar in the Zona Colonial that hosts regular drag shows. Find it on Facebook.

  • Puerta del Sol

    Santiago

    A cross between airport lounge, sports bar and Miami nightclub, this sleek establishment stretches along the southern side of the Monument. Large-screen…

  • Café del Mar

    North Coast

    Anywhere billing itself as the 'world's greatest pool party' is a little suspicious, but it also tells you a lot about what to expect. In this case, it's…

  • Voy Voy

    Cabarete

    Vela Windsurf Center by day, bar by night, this small, hip cafe also serves sandwiches and snacks. Monday karaoke is a mandatory part of Cabarete beach…

  • Kahuna

    Cabarete

    A beachside sports bar with NFL, NHL, NBA and games from many other league acronyms on the big screen, along with regular food and drink specials. Late…

  • Segazona Cafe

    Santo Domingo

    An Italian cafe popular with tourists and worth noting for its location occupying a prime piece of cobblestone real estate, good for an espresso drink or…

  • Super Colmado Bayahibe

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    Town square, town bar and town radio station (whether you want it or not) all rolled into one, this colmado is where locals gather to talk, drink and…

  • Bar Cacique

    Punta Cana & the Southeast

    A quintessential dive popular with expats and Dominicans alike. Solo men may get more attention than they bargained for, however; respond to unwanted…

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