La Vida Nocturna.

La vida nocturna de Boca Chica se pasa mayormente en la Calle Duarte, que está paralela a la playa, a un bloque de la misma. Cada temporada, los lugares de moda cambian, pero una cosa queda cierta, la vida nocturna de Boca Chica se desarolla en dos etapas, la primera entre las 7 y las 11 de la noche y la segunda entre las 11 y las 4 de la madrugada.

Al principio de la noche (entre las 7 y las 11), la Calle Duarte es un lugar muy agradable. Las dos extremidades de la calle están bloqueadas y se convierte en una vía exclusivamente peatonal. La mayoria de los restaurantes están abiertos de un lado y le atienden en la acera y la calle. Mucha gente están comiendo, toman un trago o se pasean, mirando a las tiendas. Ud escuchará Merengue y Bachata, las dos músicas más populares del país, por todos lados. A estas horas Ud sobre todo encontrará parejas de turistas, familias y niños. Se divertirá mucho, con toda seguridad.

Alrededor de la media noche, la mayoria de los restaurantes cierran y la gran parte de los turistas mayores y las familias regresan para su hotel. Es el momento que eligen los noctámbulos para salir. Los bares también instalan sus terrazas en la calle, transformando así la misma en una especie de fiesta de barrio. Muchos bares son bastante pequeños y totalmente abiertos del lado de la calle y varios son casi totalmente al aire libre. Calle tras calle, los bares van en secuencia, pero muy poco parecen atraer a mucha gente. A los alrededores de las 2 de la madrugada, la mayoria de los dominicanos que trabajan en los restaurantes locales o que viven en la ciudad o en el pueblo vecino de Andrés empiezan a salir. Y en este momento, la vida nocturna de Boca Chica comienza de verdad. Si Ud quiere compartir con la población local, es allí que tiene Ud que ir. El ambiente culmina al los alrededores de las 3 de la madrugada y a las 4, la gente empieza a irse.

Cualquiera que sea el bar de la Calle Duarte, no existe ningun obligación vestimental en Boca Chica y Ud verá a gente llevando ropa casual así como personas muy elegantes, vestidas para salir a los clubes. Muchos bares no atienden a los menores de edad, pero hay varios reglamentos.

El espectáculo de las madrugadas de Boca Chica tiene un encanto único. Esta mezcla entre turistas y la población local hace que numerosos turistas regresen aquí cada año. La ciudad es totalmente segura y muy bien vigilada por la policía.

Hamaca Disco.
For those that want a more controlled atmosphere, the Hamaca Resort has their own disco.  It is all-inclusive so guests entering pay one price (US$10) and that includes all domestic drinks once inside.  Imported drinks are extra.  This is a typical carpet, chrome, and mirror disco with a modern lighting and sound system.  The dress code here is "nice", and on some of the crowded nights during high season, entrance becomes restricted to hotel guests only.  Hotel guests are admitted free as part of their all-inclusive package.  This is the best place for couples or visitors that prefer not to venture out into the main street.  This bar has the nicest decor of any place in Boca Chica and non-guests of the hotel are admitted at the management's discretion.  

Austria.
This bar is for mingling, as the back bar is in a large circular shape.  In the front is a small area with tables and chairs and the main bar, which also services the tables and chairs set out onto the street.

Gelateria.

Isla Bonita.
Plaza Isla Bonita opened a new beach bar in August.  It is currently a quiet place to have a drink on the beach.  As of this writing, it is one of only two bars where patrons can party at night directly on the beach but the government has announced that soon the beach will get night lighting in hopes of keeping customers on the beach after sundown.

La Cueva.
Directly next to the soon-to-open Plaza Isla Bonita, La Cueva (the cave) is a narrow and long bar with a dance floor situated in the middle section.  The front section is flanked by a bar along the entire length of one wall and the back section is outfitted with tables for a more private atmosphere.  Most of this bar is outdoors, with the only roof being over the long bar and the dance floor.  This bar has lost popularity in the late part of 1999 and early part of 2000 but is expected to regain popularity as the new Laser disco starts drawing crowds to its end of the street and with the new opening of Plaza Isla Bonita.

Laser Disco.
The newest disco in Boca Chica opened in October 2000.  It has both indoor and outdoor areas and a modern lighting and sound system.  It is the only place on the main strip with air conditioning and its walls are painted with creative murals.  Top shelf liquor is available here and the Presidente beers are service ice cold.  

The Laser Disco outdoor seating area serves fresh barbecued pork the size of T-bone steaks, late into the night.

Madhouse.
A small bar owned by Germans who are every bit a part of the party.  This is the place to go with a small group of friends when you don't want to get lost in the crowds but still want good music and loud fun.  Classic Rock and Roll is played here and there is a raised dance floor for when the mood strikes. One can sit on stools inside or outside and there are usually several tables with chairs set up in the street as well.  This is my favorite place when I want to get away from the crowds, get some fresh air, and listen to great music.

Cosmos (formerly, La Noria, and prior to that, Alcatraz).
A warehouse style disco that attracts mostly singles and plays a variety of dance music.  Until the opening of the new Laser Disco, this was the most popular late night bar in Boca Chica.  As high season kicks in December 2000, this place should again be filled wall to wall, usually after 2am.



Le Bon.
Located on Calle Juan Bautista Vicini near the highway (next to Hotel Label), this disco is one of the few in Boca Chica that has air conditioning.  They frequently charge a small cover charge,  are rarely crowded, and are located about 6 blocks north of the main strip of Calle Duarte.  This disco has a nice decor and is mostly frequented by Dominicans.  This bar has been closed for the slow season but may reopen in November as tourism starts to pick up.

Route 66.
One of the most attractively decorated bars in Boca Chica, this place sports a theme of nostalgia from the famous Route 66 highway that runs across the middle of the USA.  Classic rock and roll is played here and occasionally there is a live band.  Drinks are a bit  more expensive here, commensurate with the atmosphere, and all top-shelf brands can be found.  This is a fun spot for couples and small groups of friends that aren't into getting overly rowdy.

Tuca Tuca.
Located directly on the beach at the end farthest from the Hamaca Beach Resort.  This outdoor bar is on the sand with palm hut style canopies over tables mounted to the canopy trunks.  This bar is mostly popular with tourist and Dominican couples.

Pequeña Suiza.

Zanzi Bar.
A small bar, next to the popular La Noria Disco and across the street from the La Criolla restaurant.  This is a great place for people watching, as the bar straddles the street with half of its seating being indoors and the other half in an open air section that expands across the sidewalk and street.  It's location next to one of the popular discos and across the street from the city's most popular late night eatery makes it a popular gathering place from 11pm until 1am.  Staffed with waitresses that give prompt, friendly, and at times animated service, this is a closing point for the early evening crowd and starting point for much of the late night crowd.  At Zanzi Bar, purchase fresh pastries, deserts, hot sandwiches, espresso, cappuccino, and every type of top shelf liquor.