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    Maximo Gomez Park / Domino Park

    4.2 (55 reviews)

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    Ariel W.

    Máximo Gómez Park is better known as El Parque del Domino or Domino Park. You can find it in the heart of Little Havana, on Southwest 8th Street and 15th Avenue, between the Tower Theater and McDonald's. The park was founded in 1961 by Rene Janero and friends who were part of a group of Cuban ex-political prisoners that fled to Miami after the Bay of Pigs Invasion. They began meeting to play dominoes in what was once an empty parking lot. Word spread and more began to gather, The lot was then incorporated into the City of Miami in 1976 who built the park at a cost of $115,000. In 1983, Miami renovated the park adding pavilions to cover the tables that are set up the way they are in Cuba to maximize the space. The walkways are decorated with dominos and lined with benches for spectators. Domino Park is named after Generalissimo Máximo Gómez who was born in the Dominican Republic. He led the Cuban rebel forces next to Jose Marti in the early 1900's when Cuba gained its independence from Spain. There is a bust of him in the park along with a mural created by Dominican artist Oscar Thomas, depicting the presidents of all American nations that attended the first Summit of the Americas, held in Miami in 1994. It is thought that the Chinese originated the tile game which dates back to the 1100's. Italian sailors brought the game back with them to Europe and in the 19th century and the game of Dominoes, as we now know it, was spread across the European continent and then brought here. Today dominoes is pastime enjoyed by many in the Latin culture, especially the older generation. If you want to play dominoes in this park you must be 55 or older and have a membership card. The park is a famous cultural landmark in Little Havana where the older generation can socialize, drink coffee, discuss politics, and play dominoes. Domino Park is open 9 AM to 6 PM daily.

    02.20.23 located in the heart of Little Havana by 15th Ave and the famous "Calle Ocho"
    May A.

    Domino Park had a scene from Father of the Bride [2022] Domino Park is located in the heart of Little Havana by 15th Ave and the famous "Calle Ocho." It is a short five minute walk from the Memorial Boulevard Park. How is this hidden gem on historic Calle Ocho (8th) a Cuban tradition? Well, it became a meeting spot for older Cubans and they would socialize, sip coffee, and have a domino match, a tradition for over 35 years, carried over from Old Cuba, maybe? These senior citizens were serious about their domino matches too. One older lady even got mad at me for taking a quick video. I dunno if she was distracted and I made her lose her concentration. Oops! sorry! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ This isn't really a park so not sure why it is called that. There are (4) Domino tables and (3) Checker/Chess tables with fixed seating and a shade canopy. General Máximo Gómez has a Marker and bust in the park. Domino Park played a cameo appearance in the 2022 movie, Father of the Bride, with Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan (third filmed version of the story) after the original 1950 film and the 1991 remake (Steve Martin, Diane Keaton). When we visited Little Havana for the first time, Calle Ocho was blocked from car traffic in celebration of the Gay8 festival. The food vendor booths were all lined on the street and we missed seeing the Domino Park. Review #2891

    Entrance
    Robert S.

    Máximo Gómez Park in Little Havana, more affectionately known as Domino Park by the locals, is a hidden gem right on historic Calle Ocho (8th Street). Named after General Máximo Gómez, a Cuban revolutionary, this is a social spot popular with locals. At any time of day, you will find the regulars sipping Cuban coffee, playing dominoes and chatting with friends. A tradition for more than 40 years, gameplay at the park is serious and exciting to watch, with authentic Latin energy and competitive banter. Games are typically for members only. Anyone over 50 with a Maximo Gmez Domino Club card has free, lifetime membership to play here - and the players don't mind an audience. Tourists, visitors and others love taking pictures of the Domino players with their faces so focused on the game, it's intense ! There are many rules if you intend to play. Check out the attached pics for more information. The park features walkways of domino-decorated tile work and a perimeter lined with benches for spectators, based on where the sun is, you can pick a shady spot or a sunny spot. You can't miss the painted mural that serves as a background to the Domino tables. Created by Dominican artist Oscar Thomas, the mural depicts the presidents of all American nations that attended the first Summit of the Americas, held in Miami in 1994. There's a public restroom in the back of the park, which is a great feature, especially if you are in the area for a festival. A life saver !

    Anthony K.

    Máximo Gómez Park (Domino Park) in Little Havana located on historic Calle Ocho (8th Street) where the locals come to play dominoes and/or chess for the past several generations. For visitors, it is a cool place to come watch the locals play dominos. The style of play is Cuban, and they use a double nine set. There is no cost in visiting the park, but don't be surprised if there is some friendly wagering at the tables. Visitors won't be able to play, but you're welcome to take some pictures out front, watch people play, and enjoy the culture a bit. Outside the gates there are some bricks on the ground decorated like dominos, which make for good photos. FACT: Domino Park played a cameo appearance in the 2022 movie, Father of the Bride, with Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan

    Entrance
    Arlando L.

    Just a cool place to visit. People are so friendly and are receptive to all the visitors as they play.

    Diomedes L.

    This is a famous hangout for the locals to socialize here in Little Havana. I was surprise there were so many domino ppl playing domino. I mean, this park is practically a place they have built for simple recreation place of 55 over residents. They may have been some tournament because the players was very serious. Plating Bones(domino) is pretty fun. For the players here in the park, they're pretty serious about their he(s) . It is also a popular area location for movie scenes.

    Devaneé T.

    Come here any day, any time and you're guaranteed to see games of dominos being played. Family like environment. Definitely stop by if you're ever in the area!

    Sara D.

    In the heart of Little Havana and what little remains of the neighborhood, this park is where Dominoes are played. There are rules governing the game posted on its fences. This area is restricted to the players; Adjacent is a walkway with Dominoes engraved in the paved way with tiles. Cuban paintings along the sides It's almost like a pilgrimage for Cubans while visiting Miami. A Tourist destination as well. A Gem and I hoped protected from developers

    Outside the park at Christmas
    Rebecca R.

    If you are a local resident and a senior citizen, you can play dominos at Maximo Gomez Park (aka domino park). It is a park owned by the city where locals can come hang out and play until 6pm. For visitors, it is a cool place to come watch the locals play dominos. The style of play is Cuban, and they use a double nine set. Visitors won't be able to play, but you're welcome to take some pictures out front, watch people play, and enjoy the culture a bit. Outside the gates there are some bricks on the ground decorated like dominos, which make for good photos. You'll only spend a few minutes here if you're just visiting, but it's worth a stop and you can enjoy some of the other things next door and across the street: ice cream, the art deco style movie theater, a few bars, and live music playing at the bars.

    Brian B.

    Awesome place. Only for residents that are 55 and over or I would still be sitting there. The place is packed and I wish it was open to everybody, but again, that would probably ruin the whole vibe and it would be overrun. Still, a cool spot to walk through and watch a few games when in the area.

    Mark D.

    **Pre-pandemic review** My friend from Chicago really wanted to visit here, envisioning a welcome atmosphere where you could sit and smoke a cigar and watch the viejos in a spirited game of dominoes smoking their cigars. I was underwhelmed with the size of the playing area, and the kind of side eye they were giving us even though we were in the over 55 demographic. The weirdest part was when we lit up our cigars several people had a conniption fit screaming "no smoking". Luckily, there was a small plaza area adjacent to the actual playing area where apparently smoking was allowed. Basically, this park just has a big tourist hype, but I wasn't that impressed.

    friends playing dominoes
    Mary B.

    Hot damn this place is cool. Maximo Gomez Domino Park is a famous site. A must see for tourists. In my opinion. First of all, the sound! The loud metallic ringing of the dominoes crashing together announces a new shuffle, a new game. The sound of excitement, of friendship, of luck, nostalgia, and freedom. Domino park is a members-only park where dominoes are played. There is a wait, there is service, there is an employee yelling in Spanish "Your time is up!" There is a player exclaiming in Spanish: "Today is my lucky day!" Many cultures have nostalgic games to play. Mah Jong, chess. Backgammon, Gin, in my family . In Cuba, dominoes. There are benches to sit at at stare at the moving scene. Cafes, bars, shopping and more on either side of the park. Pony rides available in front on the weekends. The people are very friendly here. I met Richard, who, for no reason at all, told me all about the, park, salsa and Cuba. He tells me that he loves his job. (pronounces it yob) He asks if there is Cuban food in LA. I tell him that there is. He teaches salsa and Merenge on 8th street in Calle Ocho. He tells me where the best salsa clubs are hiding. According to him, none of them are in South Beach. I try to imagine the back story between these old friends that meet here every day to play dominoes with each other. And my heart feels warm.:-)

    Jonathan T.

    After you stuff your face with a scoop (or two) of Azcar Ice Cream's Abuela Maria (Signature Miami Flavor), salsa step across Calle Ocho to Little Havana's iconic Domino Park. Watch elderly men (and a few women) play the Latino version of Mahjong (lol) while seated on the evergreen, metal chairs with their forearms resting on the custom-crafted-for-dominos-and-chess, pearl-colored tables. Overhear banter about that infamous bastar*o named Castro, and how the country will eventually experience democracy. Inhale the aroma -- an unforgettable blend of bold Cuban espresso, Number 7 cigarette smoke, and freshly fried croquettas. Welcome to Miami. Snap a pic of the mosaic offering an ode to Calle 8 and Domino Park, and then enjoy the rest of Little Havana. You're in, for an experience.

    The game!

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    Want to experience a slice of Cuban culture? Go to Domino Park and watch the guys (and gals) play. It's a ritual and something to behold.

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    No. This park is part of Little Havana in South West Miami, the heart of the Cuban community .

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    Review Highlights - Maximo Gomez Park / Domino Park

    There are a plethora of Cuban people in addition to plenty of other Latin people here from many different countries.

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