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View Full Version : Dominican Government might ease booze ban case-by-case



Gutter Meat
08-15-2007, 04:57 AM
From Dominican Today website


SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Government will neither ease nor vary the measures adopted to regulate the sale of alcohol in public places and clubs, said Interior and Police minister Franklin Almeyda today Monday. "The measures stay, there’s nothing that can change that point view the Government has on the topic."

Though the official has been asked to review the measures several times, he said there’s nothing black and white nor in an absolute manner, as the authorities mull some options to prevent jeopardizing economic sectors that could be released from the schedule in some way which don’t imply a change in the measures.

Almeyda cited as an example the tourist town Cabarete, in Puerto Plata (north), where generally German tourists go and where a pilot plan is being implemented so the hotels can serve alcohol to guests one hour longer the limit. "We didn’t talk about making it flexible, because that would mean to loosen it in all the points, and that is not so."

He said a place where blood has been spilled has a point against it and it’ll be more difficult for it to obtain a permit to open one or two more hours.

The Interior and Police minister said he met with representatives from different areas such as restaurateurs, performers, hoteliers and other personalities who’ve asked the Government to be flexible in the measures adopted. "We are listening to the different points of view that are possible to be raised."

He said generally the measures will not be changed, though admitted that a small part of the population needs amusement and recreation. He said it’ll be determined if some establishments can be allowed 1 or 2 additional hours if they request it, and if they can demonstrate that they can take care of their customers.

Almeyda said to obtain that permit each establishment will have to earn it, having a parking lot, because if a customer gets drunk the business owner can’t leave their vehicle in the street. He said they can’t leave any customer who’s drunk in the street either, as the correct thing is to ask them not to drive and send them home in a taxi.

He said it’s the customer who should be provided with safety, not security of the establishment as occurs almost always where an employee at the door controls the entrance and nothing else.

Gutter Meat
08-16-2007, 09:06 PM
From Sosua news
Archbishop against extended closing times
The archbishop of Santo Domingo Jesus Lopéz Rodriguez, protested strongly concerning the extended closing times in the bars and restaurants. He thinks that by the strict closing times and supervision of sale of alcoholic spirits the crime and immoral behaviour have been called to a halt. The archbishop was supported by the bishop of Puerto Plata, who expressed himself indignant concerning the extension of the closing times in Cabarete. If the test succeeds in Cabarete, the closing times in Sosúa and Puerto Plata will also be extended until 3 o'clock in the morning.

According to the ecclesiastical authorities it would be better to promote a visit to church instead of extending the closing times. ng in the weekend.

Beads
08-16-2007, 09:15 PM
One thing that was better with the old times was the casino couldnt gouge you for drinks because nobody bothered with the place!(At least I didnt) 3am on the weekends would definitely hurt the casino leaving them only an hour to gouge customers for drinks!

They should just make closing times the same for all bars including the casino disco and bar. Let the casino compete for their business on a fair playing ground.

Gutter Meat
08-17-2007, 06:15 PM
Dominican Tourism chief requests lifting of booze limits in tourist areas



SANTO DOMINGO.- Dominican Tourism minister Felix Jimenez today said he spoke with Interior and Police minister Franklin Almeyda Thursday night to request the extension of the schedule to sell alcohol in the country’s tourist resorts, including the capital’s Colonial Zone and Malecon seaside boulevard.

The official said given the fact “tourists come to the country to have fun, not to shut themselves in a room,” those resort areas need the schedule extended. “When an Italian comes here he doesn’t want to have to go to sleep early, he wants to have some fun.”

Jimenez, interviewed by Cesar Medina in the program Hoy Mismo on Channel 9, said the ban which limited the sale of alcohol to 12 midnight Sunday to Thursday and to 2 AM Friday and Saturday was already lifted in Cabarete, Puerto Plata province (north).

Last week Almeyda said in exchange for allowing alcohol sales to 1 AM bar and restaurant owners in Cabarete had agreed to implement measures in their establishments to secure the safety of their customers, most of them tourists.

Jimmydr
08-17-2007, 06:48 PM
I think there may be 10 guys on this site that care if the bars stay open past 2am?

Beads
08-17-2007, 06:59 PM
I dont really care so much anymore I just dont like the idea that the casino is exempt and gouging everyone with their prices. Shut everything down at the same time so theres a true competition on level ground for customers.

There should be a few other bars allowed to stay open later also. Let a few places like LaPassion and Lous stay open later also so we have some choices.

Gutter Meat
08-17-2007, 06:59 PM
I think there may be 10 guys on this site that care if the bars stay open past 2am?

I'm one of 10

FernieBee
08-17-2007, 07:06 PM
I'm one of 10

When on vacation, I like to go to sleep late at night.

When I was in Sosua, I didn't nod off until well after 2 a.m. So, having the option of going out, somewhere in addition to the casino, is of interest to me.

fb

Jimmydr
08-17-2007, 07:07 PM
When on vacation, I like to go to sleep late at night.

When I was in Sosua, I didn't nod off until well after 2 a.m. So, having the option of going out, somewhere in addition to the casino, is of interest to me.

fb

After spending 500 nights in DR over 10 years, it was more like a second home than a vacation.:eek:

Rubicon
08-17-2007, 09:53 PM
Closing the bars early as a way of preventing me from drinking doesn't bother me much. If I want to drink beyond the established bar hours I can simply stock the house and drink all night if I want to. What I do miss is having the opportunity to "hang out" and people watch, and hunt. Although I'm usually not a late night person in the states, I enjoy hanging out late when I travel.

I remember when the DR adopted the US liquor laws, it was stated that crime had decreased as a result. To what extent, who knows. However, my impression was that any corresponding decrease in crime related more to the fact that there was more of a law enforcement presence in the streets, than the fact that there were simply less people in the streets.