“Enjoy the greatest variety of foods prepared with the freshest ingredients.”
Come by with friends, family or on you own. Enjoy the drinks. Have a remarkable dining experience. Sit back, relax and delight in the view. The prices are very reasonable for the superb locale. Here at Harry’s Bar and Restaurant you are always welcome.
Harry’s Bar – The perfect place to watch all the events happening in Plaza España
Harry’s is located in the most beautiful section of Colonial Zone known as Plaza España
. Sitting in this the first restaurant on the Atarazanas you can have an impeccable view of the plaza and the Alcázar de Colón also known as Columbus Palace. Luxuriate in the pleasant breezes. Savor the great food and cold drinks. Soak in the atmosphere of the old city in a secure setting.
Harry’s Bar and Restaurant, A great place for a party or celebration
We are proud to offer the finest selection of whiskeys from the world over.
You will be amazed by the many different varieties we carry, especially the Single Malts. If you are a fine whiskey connoisseur and lover this is the place you will want to be. Our 69 bottle whiskey collection is similar to the famous Harry’s American Bar in Paris, France.
Harry’s extensive whiskey selection
Be sure to try one of our signature drinks and cocktails created by Harry himself. Some of these interesting and tasty cocktails are named after different towns located in Dominican Republic. We can also prepare over thousand classical drinks that will be sure to please. A must try drink is the San Zenón. Be careful, Harry did not invent just an other sex on the beach! If Harry is around ask him about the history behind some of these drinks. He will gladly share the stories with you, just ask.
Harry’s Bar and Restaurant, A great place for a party or celebration
Harry’s plays music from the world over
focusing on Blues and Rock. We have an extensive collection of music styles and we want you, our guest, to let us know what you wish to hear. If there is something special you want to listen to bring it with you and we will be more than happy to play it.
When you visit our full service restaurant the friendly staff will pay close attention to make sure that your dining experience is beyond compare. The extensive menu has both National and International dishes. Selections include appetizers, sandwiches, seafood, steaks and more. If you do not see it just ask. All the food is cooked to perfection, just the way you like. You can finish off the meal with one of our sweet, luscious deserts.
Come and celebrate at Harry’s
We have a wide selection of Sirloin Steaks
prepared in a multitude of different styles, including a melt in the mouth Filet Mignon surrounded in bacon and smothered in a savory mushroom sauce.
Harry’s offers a large selection of fresh Seafood and Fish from which to choose. We have Shrimp, Calamari, Lambi (conch)and Langosta (lobster). All are served in various flavors and styles.
Harry’s famous Salmon with Coconut Sauce
Tobacco smoking is still permitted at Harry’s (there is a law in Dominican Republic that does not permit smoking in enclosed areas). On Harry’s Terrace you may smoke without disturbing anyone.
Harry’s Bar and Restaurant the friendly staff ready to serve
Live Music in the Plaza: Friday and Saturday from 8PM to 11 there is always entertainment in the Plaza. Come sit with us and enjoy these live performances.
is a very important time here in Dominican Republic. Religious Holidays are recognized countrywide since the countries main population is Catholic. Christmas, Epiphany and other religious holidays are very important but Semana Santa is the most important of all these religious holidays.
Carrying a representation of the cross of Christ in a Semana Santa procession.
The long weekend for the Easter holiday is usually used to go away, usually with family. The churches are full as people respect the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus or El Senor. Most people go home, wherever this may be, just to hang with family and friends or just to visit the old hometown. Others flock to the beaches, rivers and other tourist areas to take advantage of the 3 days free from working. The city of Santo Domingo turns into a ghost town. Most businesses and stores are closed. Highways and streets are almost empty except for the main roads leading out of the cities. Sunday evening the roads fill. There are traffic jams galore. All is congested once again with all the people returning to their homes and get back to real life once again.
The Semana Santa in the Colonial Zone procession band dressed as Roman Soldiers.
Be aware! If you plan on visiting Dominican Republic during this time, especially heading to beach and recreation areas I highly suggest that you make your reservations in hotels far in advance. Most hotels are full and it will be very difficult to find a bed to lay your weary head if you procrastinate.
Semana Santa Procession down Calle Isabel la Católica, Colonial Zone.
There are Police, Military, Red Cross and many volunteers along the roads and at all the main intersections making sure people are obeying the traffic laws. They are also stationed on the beaches and at the popular rivers to ensure that people have fun and are safe.
The Dominican Civil Defense will be stationed throughout the country with the participation of around six thousand workers and more than eight thousand volunteers in over 1400 strategic locations. They will be watching beaches, rivers and highways to make sure the big weekend runs smoothly.
As per the Catholic tradition first comes Ash Wednesday / Miércoles de Ceniza. Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday / Domingo de Ramos. On Holy Thursday / Jueves Santo morning is the Chrism Mass / Misa Crismal and in the evening is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, accompanied by the washing of feet and a procession. At noon on Good Friday / Viernes Santo is the Sermon on the Seven Words. Holy Saturday/ Sabado Santo an Easter Vigil is held from around 11pm until dawn. Then on Easter Sunday / Domingo de Resurrección or Domingo de Pascua there is an Easter Mass at noon.
A beautiful tradition on Saturday is kite flying. From the ground or from the rooftops you will see the skies full of all types of kites, known in Dominican Republic as chichiguas. Kites made of paper and plastic bags. It does not matter. They are flown as a sign of hope for all.
The statue of the Virgin Mary /Altagracia in the Semana Santa procession in Ciudad Colonial.
Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
The church of Las Mercedes (on Calle Mercedes and Jose Reyes in Zona Colonial) is the place to be in Santo Domingo for the religious ceremony. After the service, around 5PM, there is a procession to the first cathedral in the Americas, Cathedral Santa Maria. Here is held a special Mass called Eucharist.
The long Semana Santa procession going down Calle Isabel la Catolica in the Colonial City.
Gaga celebrations
are held in many areas of the country, especially areas with large Haitian settlements and communities with strong African roots. Here in Santo Domingo in the city of Villa Mella one can see and hear these gaga drum celebrations with music and dancing. Gaga ceremonies have both magical and religious parts. The spirits are invoked including Luaces (lights in Creole) along with other mysterious, holy and powerful beings. There is usually lots of music, dancing and drinking. (A little information about GaGa)
Other celebrations include the Guloyas in San Pedro de Macoris. They are known for their colorful outfits and lively dances and characters that walk the streets.
Cardinal Nicolas de Jesús López Rodriguez going to Thursday Mass.
The last Cardinal of Dominican Republic, Nicolas de Jesús López Rodriguez, and the Bishops walking across Calle Isabel la Catolica to the Sunday Easter Mass at the Cathedral Santa Maria, the first Cathedral in the Americas, in Ciudad Colonial.
A big pot of habichuelas con dulce, a traditional Semana Santa sweet.
Dominicans have their traditional food dishes
they prepare for Holy Week. Since many people do not eat meat during this time fish and seafood are very popular. Potato Salad Dominican style is a favorite. The most popular dish is called habichuelas con dulce / Sweet Beans and usually can be found in every home throughout the country. It is a mix of red beans, condensed milk, spices and other ingredients served cold pudding style. Usually, these dishes are made in large quantities to serve all who might visit and to share with the neighbors. Here is the recipe for habichuelas con dulce in case you want to give this traditional dessert a try.
The Semana Santa Procession
on the corners of Calle Padre Billini and Isabel la Catolica in Ciudad Colonial 2012. It is not very clear. I am sorry. It was getting dark. I tried to lighten it some.
Operation Holy Week/ Operativo Semana Santa
During the holiday weekend there are many restrictions according to Resolution No. 96/2012.
*Jet Skis and Wave Runners, Motorized Boats, Horses, Motorbikes, and Motorized Vehicles are NOT permitted on the beaches in the entire country from Thursday to Sunday.
*There will be NO boats used in
-Laguna Gri Gri in Rio San Juan
-The Sanoa Island
-Catalina Island
-Cayo Levantado Island
*Heavy equipment vehicles are prohibited to be on highways from 6AM Thursday until 6AM Monday.
*There is usually a curfew of 5:45PM for swimmers to get out of the water daily on busy public beaches.
*Many places have a ban on loud music for the weekend. Inside businesses it is OK but the noise is not permitted to weft outside. This is not enforced like it used to be but it still happens in many locations. It is especially quiet on Good Friday around noon until midnight.
*Many beach areas have a “No Glass” rule in force. You cannot enter the beach area with any alcoholic beverage in glass bottles.
*Many of the more dangerous beaches and rivers are closed (some closed beaches include San Soucí, Manresa, Güibia, the coastline of Avenidas España and Las Américas, the beach of San Andrés, banks of the Ozama River, Río Isabela Norte, la Poza in Hato Nuevo, San Rafael, Los Patos, River Yaque del Norte. Also the Damns of Bao, Taveras, El Pinalito, López Angostura, El Papayo, Sabana Yegua, de Yuboa and de Chacuey) at this time to ensure public safety. Also, water motor sports are prohibited close to beach areas during the holiday. There is usually a complete listing of the closed areas on the Civil Defense web site http://www.defensacivil.gov.do. I will also post any special events and happenings in the area on the Colonial Zone News Blog.
The Easter Sunday sunrise over the Colonial Zone 2013
All You Want To Know About The Oldest City In The Americas
