Someone once asked the question on a local forum “what do you need to open a bar in the Dominican Republic”. A reply came back saying “Get a large cool box, a bag of ice, a case of Presidente Beer and some disposable plastic cups and you have a bar” The questioner responded saying “ Actually that was a serious question” and back came the reply “And that was a serious answer”
As indeed it is. There are no real licensing laws in the Dominican Republic unlike the U.S. or the U.K. Alcohol is on sale almost everywhere. Virtually every “colmado” stocks beer and spirits and will quite happily open the bottle, provide you with a plastic cup and give you a chair so you can stay there and drink if you wish to, or you can wander off, bottle and cup in hand, and find a suitable quiet spot yourself. They will, however, follow the “Americanism” of putting the bottle into a paper bag, presumably so that young people are not aware of what you are drinking,…but of course they do!
Seriously though Cabrera has a wide choice of real bars scattered throughout the town. There are Sports Bars, some with Pool tables (although for some reason they call it Billiards) some with large T.V.s showing sports, normally baseball or American Football. Music Bars abound some just playing music whilst others provide a space for dancing. Even the local internet and photo bar becomes a real bar in the evenings! There are bar/cafeterias where you can both eat and drink, although eating is not compulsory, and then there are just bars!
Normally the most popular are those with both music and dancing available. The Dominicans, both guys and girls, love to dance and at the week-ends almost all the music bars are full of people of all ages enjoying the music and dancing to the meringue, bachata and salsa music. Both of the gas stations in Cabrera have music bars and are very popular during Saturday and Sunday afternoons and early evening. Later people tend to drift into the town center. El Parque where the Cocomo Bar is a favorite spot even though it is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
If you are looking for a good night out on the town in Cabrera there is plenty of choice and something to suit almost all tastes although if you are looking for a quiet relaxing place to enjoy your favorite tipple that could be a little more difficult! If this is what you prefer we suggest a visit to the Terrace Bar at Hotel La Catalina. Here you can relax and enjoy, not only a quiet drink, but the exquisite view over the town and to the ocean.
