Where does a "nice" lady go?

As a woman, I felt that if I went out in D.R. by myself, as I traveled by myself, they would think I was a hooker. although someone told me that by my clothes they could tell I wasn't.

Does this mean that when I sat at the Merengue Bar in the Jaragua that they thought I was a hooker? I was well-dressed, and spending my US dollars at the bar. Should I stay away when I travel by myself? I do like to dress sexy when I go out at night. Someone told me that my clothes, however, were a telltale sign that I was not a local. Although I am not DOminican, I do have the Latin body and look, although they call me "rubia".

And is that what ALL THOSE girls sitting in the back of the Merengue Bar in the Jaragua were? hookers? yikes!!! No wonder none of the guys sat down next to me, they probably thought I, too, was a hooker

And if I go to these clubs suggested on this thread by myself, will they think I'm a hooker? I read and wrote down a few names, Jet Set, etc?

These other places by the Zona COlonial, are they for like the real young crowd? or are 30-over crowds welcomed?? INfo, please..
I promise to fill everyone in when I get back.

I wouldn' t mind making friends of the "decent" kind.

I have always vacationed and traveled by myself. And although two friends are going with me next trip, they are having surgery so won't be able to hang out. And if I meet a guy, will he also have to pay a light bill or take care of his mother??? You guys are all scaring me away.

Mike, when are you going back to D.R? I am going soon. Somebody PLEASE ANSWER... SOON!

And I agree with all of you. In any country where economic difficulties are present, Money is usally more important than love. But I imagine that even if a girl likes you for who you are, her need for money will always be ever-present. Therefore, your realistic view is, I'm sure, easier than the "I'm the man" view. But who knows, maybe LOVE will prevail one time or another....

So where does a "nice" girl go and still have fun? I wouldn't mind meeting someone, as long as he was a professional and not a looser. I did find some answers surfing around all the different posts, but maybe it would be nice for it to be here concisely. Maybe you can post the name of the establishment, what kind of crowd, music and vibe can be found, the nights, and the area or address. I may be asking for a lot, but for those of us less experienced with the nightlife in D.R, it may come in extremely handy.

my job was short today.. so I've had HOURS in a lonely hotel room (away on business) to finally go through this wonderful board. I wish I had found it before I made my first trip to D.R.

I have learned of places to go; I have gotten insight into how the locals think and react; I will remember that "te quiero" or "I'm in love with you" is hastily stated in the D.R; oh, I can go on and on; I learned where to get "toys"; I learned that Chris has a "test" site at his home for "toys" (lol)... (must admit he sounds like a SMART man... unselfish like most); I have learned that the nice girls (so I thought) hanging out at the Merengue Bar are hookers; and I can go on and on and on.

I actually had posted a question of where to go to have fun, and when I kept reading other threads, I found answers and wrote them down. I guess I don't know what the new thread would be.

Open for suggestion

thank you. thank you. thank you.


I guess I'm going to have to find friends who can travel as much as I can. I guess the logic there is true. So it's intimidating to see a woman by herself... (things that make you go... hum?)

I am not afraid to say how old I am. I am 33 and have been traveling alone on vacation since I was 18 years old.

As far as being "at the bar", I do not place myself "at the bar". If you have ever been to the Merengue Bar, which is a lounge with live music at the lobby of the Jaragua Hotel, there are no tables, but some seating that goes sort of around the "bar" area.

I have never found it difficult to meet people, but I must say that was not the case in D.R. The reason for the "harsh" comment about the girls being hooker, that message (which the administrator edited), was in response to a message posted by the guys which said that you will find the hookers at these establishments all lined up in the back, and he specifically named the Jaragua... I actually never thought of the girls as hookers, and, thus, my amazed expression.

Now, what is a "chopo"?

As to music, I must say that techno is not in my league. I appreciate the music of the local country I am visiting, otherwise, it's just another disco (which I'm not quite fond of anyways). I can adapt to any type of music, but techno is just not for me. I would much rather have someone teach me bachata and local dancing. Here in NY they have places that combine all music so that there is diversity.

but, please, what is a "chopo"???

you guys are life savers.

roca said:

Praia and Loft

Hostos Street: Medium to high class, the IN-place right now

Again, your age group will determine which places to visit.

Click to expand...

Okay, so what kind of music is played at Praia and Loft respectively.

And does anyone know of any nice boutique trendy hotels? Or am I stuck with Jaragua and Melia all the time?

Has anyone stayed at the Intercontinental?

And since my message originally started in response to the discussion the guys had of hookers "EVERYWHERE" in the D.R., does this mean that they're also at Praia and Loft, and thus, if I go alone, I, too, may so be classified?

AZB said:

I haven't read the whole thread but I would like to insert my opinion anyway.
A nice lady shouldn't go anywhere besides the kitchen and if she must leave the kitchen then it better be that she is scrubbing the living room floor.
Today is friday so please folks, forgive me.

Click to expand...

Against my better judgment to leave this "chauvinist" remark alone and not respond, I guess I will.

This nice lady goes to work, earns a six-figure salary, is independent, likes to socialize (to an extent), and does not believe in staying in the kitchen. I do love to cook and sew and all the things you believe a "woman" should do, but I, too, am entitled to a career and can afford help with household chores when the going gets rough.

Now, if I had it the way you suggest, then I would be depending on a man, and then you would criticize me because you would say that I am only looking for a man to support me and I should get a job.

But I hope you have a nice Friday.

Me.. worry? Nah. life is too short to let the small stuff bother me. I Love AZB already.

Gosh... I couldn't get online yesterday and I have become addicted to this board.

Okay.

To Roca: "May, if you're looking for local music then Loft and Praia, in that order, are the places to go, forget about the rest I mentioned, you will not hear merengue there. Loft and Praia will play merengue and salsa combined with 80's and 90's music. Now, if you want merengue excusively then you will have to visit Chopo places, like Jet Set, and I can't help you there. Then again, if you are such a nice and classy lady I can't understand why you would like to hang out with the chopos"

As I still don't know what a "chopo" is... but your message carries a bad connotation to it, so I guess not... or I have no idea. But I have e-mailed Loft and Praia and locked it in my cell phone to have when I go down. And if "chopo" is someone who loves merengue and salsa, then I guess I like chopos because I love the music.

"To Rafael: May if you are heading to Santo Domingo again, post on this forum when you know your travel dates. I am trying to get back down there mid february and my novia and I would be happy to show you around. I actually like the Merengue bar. I like live music, and even though it is a touristy type place the bands can be pretty good. OTOH, I actually like Jet Set as well. I am not real hung up on "class" and "status". . . . .maybe that makes me a chopo. . . . . .who cares;-)"

I will be in Sto Domingo the last week of February, probably for two weeks. I also love the live music at the Merengue bar, except it seems like it was over populated with women the times I went... and now I have learned why. I agree with the suggestion that it would be better if I had, say, another girlfriend or two with me would be better and I would become more approachable (things that make you go... hum.) I always thought that men would prefer not to have to deal with having to buy drinks for the rest of the gang.. etc etc And I was going to stay at the Jaragua which is where I stay in the city before I head to the Hamaca Coral.. but it seems like I want to change my routine a little bit.. but I better make up my mind. That's why I wondered whether I should go and stay at the hotel in the ZC... It seems to be a nice one. And at the Intercontinental, I can get a room with a balcony (I called) for a little under $200 a night with a nice view of the Malecon, since the Melia only has a few but they're ambiance is a little too stuffy for my tropical adventure. So Rafael, will we all be in town at the same time?

To Homer: "Are you looking for a men to be with or are you looking for a friend? How long are you going to stay in DR? Personal opinion: In the Dominican is not that hard to make friends when you have you mind open to it."

Homer, it seems like this board has become a "therapy" session. I think you hit the point, "keep an open mind." I guess having that NYC mentality, I don't just enjoy myself and stop worrying about the small stuff and I must admit, I am too cynical. Plus I have heard so many negative things about Dominican men. and believe me, I do draw a lot of attention, but there is no way to compete with those BEAUTIFUL Dominican women.. But like you said, if I am only looking for "friendship" while I'm down there, what is my big deal?? It's not like I"m going to go and get married to whoever asks me to dance. So what if they're a chopo (whatever that is), or ugly, right? I still get to dance. POINT WELL TAKEN.

To Escott: "Unlike AZB I am not a pig. I was however wondering if you would like to keep a fat, loud, ugly American with Flip flops and a hairy back. I am not a high maintenence type of guy and only need approx 5 minutes of your time when the mood should happen to hit you. I just burp and fart the rest of the night but promise not to bother you."

Gosh, how tempting. But I must admit, the "burping" and the "farting" all night long has got to be the best of all you have to offer. And I get all that after only FIVE MINUTES... Finally, the man of my dreams!!! (lol) And if the great looking ape is what I get, then I'm sure I'll be fighting all the ladies away.

Oh, yeah, what's the dress code at Loft and Praia??? and the age group?