I'd like to clear up on what is happening in Sosua.
In 2006 Lionel Fernandez, the president at that time, pasted a by-law stating that alcohol cannot be sold after midnight Sunday-Thursday and after 2am Fridays and Saturdays. This is a national law. It was never really enforced. Yesterday, a copy of the law was passed around to all restaurants and bars in Sosua. Owners were verbally told that the law was now going to be enforced. It seems that those bars such as Las Flores, Rumba, Hermans and Rancho Tipico were closed down this morning because they did not stop selling alcohol at midnight.
So, here's the thing. Tourist areas are excluded from the law and are allowed to sell until 3:30am. What the authorities are doing is illegal and will have to be challenged in court. The authorities have only target Sosua at this point. Cabarete is not affected. However, my sources in Santo Domingo are telling me that this is the start of a National crack down because of the increase in crime, prostitution and drugs and also that the news channels are reporting on it today.
The bright side??? it's low season. It will be interesting to see how long this is enforced.