Gay and Lesbian Nightlife

Santo Domingo [1] is a very metropolitan city. Entertainment options for the increasingly open gay community are becoming more stable. Sadly, gay establishments seem to have the life span of a bumblebee, but now, with an ever-growing out gay community, establishments are able to set up camp and keep their doors open for longer periods of time. The best resource for the gay nightlife in Santo Domingo is www.monaga.net [2].

Jay Dee’s bar (Ciudad Colonial, José Reyes 10, tel. 809/333-5905, 8 p.m. to late Thurs.–Sat., US$4), owned by an American expat, is popular with locals and tourists alike. It has been in operation for over 10 years, a very long time in Santo Domingo gay bar years. Friday and Saturday nights the small dance floor can get very crowded (and really hot). Saturday is stripper night. The music is American pop, club, and Latin. The cover cost gets you a free cuba libre (rum and Coke) or Presidente (beer).

Cha (Malecón, Av. George Washington 165, no phone, Fri. 9p.m.–4a.m., Sat. 9p.m.–3a.m., Sun. 1p.m.–9p.m., US$1 cover) has hit the sweet spot as the new It bar, and it is ruling the Santo Domingo queer nightlife. Draws include good music, a great location right on the Malecón, drag shows, and strippers.

Amazonia (Gazcue, Dr. Delgado 71, 8 p.m. to late Fri.–Sat.) is a mostly lesbian bar, but all are welcome. It’s a good place to go for a drink with friends.

Bar Friends (Polvorín 10 and Juan Isidro PÑrez, tel. 809/689-7572, 8 p.m. to late, closed Sun.) is frequented by tourists and locals alike. It was formerly Bar Phoenix but has changed ownership and been remodeled.

The bar Esedeku (Las Mercedes 341, tel. 809/869-6322, 8 p.m. to late Tues.–Sun.) derives its name from the way you pronounce the call letters for the Santo Domingo [1] airport code (SDQ) in Spanish. The interior decor is sleek without being rigid, like a jetliner. You can get tapas-size dishes as well as drinks. This is a classy place and not for hustlers.