NIGHTLIFE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Nightlife in the Dominican Republic is inextricably entwined to its music. Cradle of rhythms like merengue and bachata, like any Caribbean island it appears not to go to sleep. The safety of its streets helps conspire to make of the Dominicans’ social life an all night affair. Evenings usually start early, around 5 pm with the happy hour of the bars. It usually prolongs until 7, but it’s been known to last until 10 pm.

After a few drinks, many go get dinner, for nightclubs and discotheques are open since 9. People don’t start to get in until past midnight. There is a great variety of places to enjoy the colorful party mood brought on by Dominican music. There are discotheques, dance halls, nightclubs, and open air as well as closed in cafes.

If you visit Santo Domingo for Christmas or New Year’s Eve, you will find out that the streets and great plazas of the city are usually the point of reunion for Dominicans. They dance enthusiastically to the rhythm of their national music; for during December, the holidays are celebrated in the Dominican Republic to the beat of merengue, and the waterfront turns into a huge dancing floor.

For all those who enjoy the feeling and rhythm of Caribbean dances, there is a Merengue Festival every year on July. This festival reaches up to Boca Chica and it encompasses activities such as handcraft fairs, Fish Fair, Rincón Criollo (Creole cuisine competition), the national cocktail competition, bartender of the year pageant, Creole dessert festival, popular dances, go-kart races, popular games, waiters’ marathon, motocross competitions and ginkana. Puerto Plata celebrates another festival in October featuring some of the best merengue bands and folk dance companies.

The Carnival is probably the most important of the folk festivals in the Dominican Republic, because of its music and dances as much as its syncretism. Some of the more traditional characters of this festivity are Los Diablos Cojuelos (the lame devils), Se me Muere Rebeca (Rebeca is dying), Califa, Los Africanos(The Africans), Los Indios (The Indians), La Muerte (Death), Nicolás Den Denes, Los monos de Simonico and los Galleros. All these characters come from their religious as well as social outlook, for the Dominicans make use of these events to paint a mocking self portrait. During the entire month of the Carnival there are parties in the streets of La Vega, Montecristi, Puerto Plata, Bonao, Salcedo and Mao.

For those who love to gamble, there are more than 30 casinos throughout the country, though most of them are in the main hotels. The only entry requirement is to be more than 18, since they don’t request suit and tie or an entry fee. Gamblers can stay up all night and the drinks are on the house. The rules are the same than in Vegas and bets are taken in U.S dollars as well as the local currency (Dominican Pesos).

Those who enjoy plays and shows will love the capital; Santo Domingo holds the best theatres in the Dominican Republic. El Teatro Nacional (the national theatre), is the most important and it is located at the Plaza de la Cultura. Every week, during the winter season, different shows are presented, interpreted by the Symphonic Orchestra and during the rest of the year several genres are showcased, including opera and ballet.

The Beaux Arts theater offers a wide range of plays from Dominican as well as foreign authors, interpreted by the best actors in the Dominican Republic

The Colonial Zone harbors in its secluded and characteristic ambiance the Casa de Teatro (Theater House), cradle of acclaimed Dominican actors.

The nightlife in the Dominican Republic offers a wide variety of activities that will cater to all tastes. From party to orchestra, there is no excuse for failing to enjoy the endless opportunities for entertainment this beautiful island offers its visitors.