6 Best Bars in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

This is the cigar club that other cigar bars look up to, a classy, sceney bar and salon elegant enough that you don't need to be a smoker to enjoy it. A high-tech ventilation system keeps the room from being unpleasantly smoky. And, of course, Fuente cigars are among the best, pairing well with the finest aged rums or cognacs from the bar. This club is populated by well-heeled capitaleños, and has a semi-formal dress code, so dress the part or you may be turned away.

The action includes some 50 slot machines and 16 gaming tables. You can also play a couple of hands of blackjack, shoot craps, or take a spin at the roulette wheel. There's action here from 9 am to 5 am. Diamante's disco, Trio, is a hot ticket, too. Security runs a tight ship.

The crowd here covers all walks of Dominican life, from old men playing dominoes on the plastic tables on up to a wealthy and well-dressed group stopping by after an art opening. It's as funky and real a slice of life as it was before the neighborhood became so gentrified. When the traditional dancing begins, you’ll see all ages moving to the Cuban beat, with many seriously proficient in their merengue moves.

The well-equipped bar at this museum is a hot spot, with a dance floor, seating areas, and live music that span merengue, bachata, and salsa.

This Malecón casino is the largest in the capital with more than 50 slot machines, baccarat, roulette, craps, blackjack, and Pai Gow poker tables.

This avant-garde wine bar and wine store was created by the major wine distributor El Catador. Cushy leather armchairs and hardwood floors help create a clubby atmosphere. If you want to eat, there's a good menu of tapas. You will want to buy one of the 500 bottles of wine from around the wine-making world. Generally there are a dozen wines for tasting, but there are no samplings during the busy Christmas holidays.