Bars and Rooftops in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone
There's a night plan in Santo Domingo that doesn't appear in hotel guides and that Dominicans consider a must-do: on Sundays, Grupo Bonyé plays for free at the San Francisco Monastery Ruins, the first Franciscan monastery in the New World, and the street fills with couples dancing son among 16th-century walls. That scene summarizes what distinguishes the Colonial Zone from the rest of the city. At Nelly Rent a Car, we have been moving visitors through these streets for over 60 years. This short guide covers only the historic center.
Where to go out at night in the Colonial Zone?
The nightlife is organized around three streets. Calle Hostos concentrates live music bars and ends at the San Francisco Ruins, the venue for Bonyé's Sunday concert, which runs from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, is free, and requires no reservation. Plaza España gathers terraces overlooking the Alcázar de Colón and works best for an early dinner and staying a while. And the pedestrian Calle El Conde maintains a more informal atmosphere, with tables on the street. Besides that, there are the rooftops: several boutique hotels in the historic center have opened terraces with views of the Catedral Primada, and they are the most sought-after sunset plan in the area. If you prefer to dance, the nightclubs in the Colonial Zone are small and have a local vibe, very different from the large clubs in Piantini.
What you need to know to get around the historic center at night
The historic center is walkable, but getting to it isn't. The colonial streets are narrow, one-way, and have scarce parking, and at night several are closed to traffic for pedestrian activity. It's practical to leave the vehicle in a paid parking lot near Avenida del Puerto or Calle Las Damas, America's first paved street, and do everything on foot: from Plaza España to Calle El Conde is less than a ten-minute walk. On Bonyé Sundays, parking lots fill up starting at 5:00 PM, so it's advisable to arrive early. The area has a presence of the Specialized Tourist Security Corps, although normal precautions still apply. If you plan to drink, designate a driver: Law 63-17 penalizes driving under the influence of alcohol, and DIGESETT operates at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bonyé and when does it perform?
It's a traditional Dominican music group that plays son, merengue, bolero, and salsa every Sunday at the San Francisco Monastery Ruins, at the corner of Calle Hostos and Emiliano Tejera. The usual schedule is from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, admission is free, and no reservation is needed. What began around 2008 as a gathering of friends has become the most recognized free night event in the Colonial City.
What is the best street for bars in the Colonial Zone?
Calle Hostos has the highest density of live music bars and leads to the San Francisco Ruins. Plaza España is better for terraces and dinner with a view of the Alcázar de Colón, and the pedestrian Calle El Conde offers the most informal atmosphere. All three are less than a ten-minute walk from each other.
Are there rooftops in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone?
Yes. Several boutique hotels housed in restored colonial buildings have opened rooftops accessible to the public, and the most sought-after ones offer direct views of the Catedral Primada de América. They work best at sunset when the light on the stone makes all the difference. It's advisable to check if reservations are required on weekends.
Where do I park if I go out at night in the Colonial Zone?
In a paid parking lot on the perimeter, preferably towards Avenida del Puerto or the area of Calle Las Damas, and walk from there. The inner streets are narrow, one-way, and have very limited parking, and some are closed to traffic at night. On Sundays, due to the Bonyé concert, parking lots fill up starting at 5:00 PM.
Is it worth having a car if I'm only going out in the Colonial Zone?
For a night out within the historic center, you don't need it, because everything is walkable. You need it to get there and especially to get back, as finding transportation late at night from the historic center to other parts of the city isn't always quick. With a Nelly Rent a Car vehicle and a designated driver, you solve both ends of the night.
The Colonial Zone functions as a complete nightlife destination on its own, with a live son scene that doesn't exist anywhere else in the country. Nelly Rent a Car has been operating in the Dominican Republic for over 60 years, with offices in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Punta Cana. Write to us at 809-687-7997 or reservas@nellyrac.com.