Cabarete Nightlife
Bachata, karaoke, open mic, beach parties: Cabarete is known for its lively nightlife.
In Cabarete, everyone is welcome. Party fiends who are right at home in the middle of a sweaty mosh pit; chill folk who love meeting someone new and talking all night, taking in the beachy vibes. There are dancefloors and cosy, quiet beach couches, here. You just do you.
Generally, if you head down to Cabarete beach, you’ll find out quickly where the party is at. But, it can help to know the standard pattern of popular nights out in town.
Here’s a run-down of Cabarete nightlife, day by day.
Mondays
Monday night in Caberete is almost synonymous with karaoke night at Voy Voy.
Things usually kick off at around 10-10.30pm, but tables fill up fast, so get there a bit earlier to avoid having to stand on the beach.
The hosts are wonderful and will get the ball rolling by singing a few classic karaoke hits. It couldn’t be easier to sign up to warble a song from your past. There are also two microphones so, if you’re shy like me, one of the hosts will kindly sing ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ with you.
Expect Backstreet Boys, expect Green Day, expect Gwen Stefani, expect Maroon 5. Expect to spend the whole night drunkenly shouting ‘Oh my gosh, I love this song!’.
Voy Voy on Mondays always delivers a sing-along night to remember.
Tuesdays
Tuesdays are the one night a week in Cabarete when there isn’t too much going on in Cabarete. You might wander along the beach bars, and enjoy some drinks with friends. In high season, the bars will still be fun, pumping with those party-loving souls.
The Laguna Park Hostel, known as The Castle or El Castillo, in ProCab has a cheap, friendly bar with pool table. It’s a great place to meet people and relax, and an alternative to beach bars. There’s usually something going on there in the evenings.
But, if you’re looking for a rest day, Tuesday is a good one to take off.
You could head to bed early so you can wake up for an early morning surf or SUP or yoga class. Or you could stay in and catch up on your favourite Netflix show. Or call your mum. The Cabarete chill options are endless.
Wednesdays
On a Wednesday in Cabarete, there’s only one place to be: La Chabola’s Open Mic Night.
La Chabola is a cosy, comfortable local bar that serves cheap drinks and great pizza (2 for 1, every night of the week).
If that’s not enough to convince you, their Wednesday open mic nights are a classic Cabarete experience.
The music is always pretty cool at La Chabola, whether live or played off YouTube. The weekly open mic is the time for musicians to show off what they can do in front of an easygoing crowd of locals and expats.
You’ll find La Chabola a little down the Callejon de la Loma, which is by the traffic lights (there’s only one set in town).
Visiting musicians, you can usually ask around and find a guitar to borrow, so be bold and sign up!
Thursdays
Thursday night is Latin Night at Ojo, which is upstairs in the same building as LAX, on the beach.
This is the cultural experience you’ve been waiting for in the Dominican Republic. If the blaring music and dancing everywhere didn’t give it away, music is super important and loved here.
The most beloved genre of all here is bachata. If you’ve done any sort of Latin basic step before, you’ll pick up the one-two-three-tap rhythm easily.
You can check a YouTube tutorial beforehand to have a little pre-game practice, if you want. Better still, just pair up with a local, they’ll be happy to teach you!
Ojo Latin night has the major advantage of starting early by Cabarete standards, at around 8pm. Ideal if, like me, you need to get to bed to wake up at 6am because surfing is life.
A little rum, a little dancing, a little water, and off to bed. Perfection.
Fridays
Although Friday nights are not as big here as they are in other parts of the world, there are always people up for a night out in Cabarete. If it’s high season, there will be a whole crowd of people livin’ it large
Stroll along the beach bar strip and follow the music to find yourself a good spot for a Friday night dance.
Saturdays
On Saturday nights in Cabarete’s high season, the beach bars get pretty full.
ONNO’s and Kahuna are fun places to be, as is Lax/Ojo which has two storeys of party fun. You can take your pick, depending on what music you’re feeling in the moment.
Check out the drink deals at ONNO, they have a late Happy Hour that runs from 11pm to midnight – half price cocktails and shot, and pitchers for around 350RD.
Wherever you end up, try and keep your wits about you somewhat, since drunk stumbling tourists are prime targets for pick-pocketing.
If you’re not done partying when the clubs close, keep an ear out for Cabarete’s legendary after-parties that rage on towards dawn. Full respect if you can get up and do watersports after that. Or if you can do anything except lie on the couch and groan, really.
Sundays
Sunday nights are reasonably big here.
Many locals like to day drink on Sundays through the afternoon and evening, and there’s nothing stopping you from doing the same! Mojitos on the beach? Yes, please.
Not to get mumsy with you, but make sure to drink plenty of water if you’re drinking in the heat. You do want to make it to the club, later, after all.
Kick off your night with some gentle bachata dancing to live music at Voy Voy from 6pm. Take in the atmosphere, try out your moves in a very safe space, with staff on hand to show you the steps.
For the party animals, the place to be is LAX on the beach. It will heat up later, at around 11pm to midnight, so enjoy the pre-drinks and relax. There’s no rushing on this island.
It will all be worth it when you’re all Cuba Libre’d up and dancing your heart out to whatever pumping tune the DJ is playing. LAX’s signature beachy vibes are well worth the pain of the next day.
And, lucky for you, a dip in the ocean is a great hangover soother.
And more!
Keep an ear to the ground for news of themed holiday parties or full moon parties. Cabarete takes any excuse for a special occasion bash!
Of course, as every local knows, the most fun parties in Cabarete can be totally spontaneous. They can spring up outside cigar shops, barber shops, pool halls, and under the lights of petrol stations. Somehow, everyone comes together, and the beer and dance moves flow.
Walk around town at night to get a feel for how the Dominicans party, and if you’re feeling brave, maybe even join in!
Cabarete nightlife is worth checking out. People here know how to come together and have a good time.