The best entertainment is at the hotels, where programs can change weekly or even daily based on their house count (or lack of guests thereof). Since we can't predict where the action is on any given night, you can ask at your hotel to find out what's happening. The best hotels for entertainment include Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, Casa de Campo, and Coral Canoa.
One popular place is El Pirata, Km 12, Carretera San Pedro, Hotel Santana Beach Resort (tel. 809/412-5342). Since this is an all-inclusive, you can purchase a night pass for RD$875 entitling you to dinner and drinks. Shows on Wednesday and Friday at 9pm are followed by dancing from 10:30pm to 2am when a DJ plays salsa, merengue, and pop. On-site is a casino, open daily 8pm to 4am, where the usual games of chance, such as blackjack, are offered.
Within the artists' colony of Altos de Chavón, you'll find a dance club, associated with Casa de Campo, which manages to thrive year after year with every new class of students and every new group of dance-aholic outsiders. It's Discoteque Genesis (tel. 800/877-3643, ext. 3165), which is open every Thursday to Sunday 11pm till at least 2am and often later. Entrance costs RD$200, but on some party nights, the doorman might ask for RD$800, which will include access to an open bar throughout the evening. The preferred musical selection is merengue, and whatever Latino nightclubs in Miami might be focusing on at the time.
At the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach in Bayahibe (tel. 809/686-5658), La Locura, a dance club, is the scene of much of the local action. DJs play the latest international hits along with a selection of salsa, merengue, and pop. You have to call the management during the day and arrange for a night pass since this is an all-inclusive resort. The cost of RD$700 entitles you to dinner, drinks, and any entertainment being presented that night. The club is usually open from 11:30pm or 12:30am to about 4am, though it may close earlier on less busy nights.
At Casa de Campo the Pot Bunker Sports Bar (tel. 809/523-3333) is a popular gathering spot at night, especially for male guests, or for anyone who lingered too long at cocktails and suddenly discovered that all the other restaurants at the resort were closed. Major sports events are broadcast live via satellite transmission on large-screen TV sets while visitors cheer their home teams. From 1pm to midnight, a light menu, where platters, including an array of burgers and deep-fried shrimp, costing from RD$300 to RD$700, is available. The bar itself, with its table games and pool table, remains open daily from 3pm to midnight.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.