Maximo Gomez Park / Domino Park

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 !

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

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.

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.

I have to start off with I LOVE this place. I've been stopping by this park for at least 15 years. Probably closer to 20 years. This place has history here,  in the making and organically growing here on a daily basis.
This is always a well kept and clean area.
If it's not someone will be answering for it.

It is one of the best places to come, sit, watch and learn and be taught.

Phenomenal people always here. All are always welcome. Generations have come through here and continue to develop and grow through this park.
I'm not sure if it's called domino's but that's what I've watched being played.
It might be called something that I'm unaware of.
If the benches could speak. Now that'd be a school lesson. It has been too long since I've been here. Long overdue.
I'm due for a fix this weekend.
You'll know where to find me.

**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.

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.

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

Stopped into Maximo Gomez Park on a Sunday afternoon for some great people watching. It was a packed house and I got to enjoy a few competitive games of dominos.

Quality
Maximo Gomez Park, more commonly known as Domino Park, is what I would consider the unofficial capital of Little Havana. Although it is called a park, it is not a park in the traditional sense. Rather than green space and playgrounds it is an urban area populated with lively tables of abuelos playing dominos and chess. More than anything it is a community hub where lots of locals hang out and visitors can't help but want a quick peek to see what they are missing.

Quantity
The park is small and is exceptionally tight quarters on the weekends. Expect a standing room only affair on a weekend afternoon.

Value
There is no cost in visiting the park, but don't be surprised if there is some friendly wagering at the tables.

Ambiance
Maximo Gomez Park is located in Little Havana right on Calle Ocho. The park itself is a small area that is completely fenced in with several large coverings overhead. The park also has some shades to pull down on the side to keep out the sun and keep in the cool. The area is basically split into two sections, one for dominos and another for chess. There is some space around the tables in case you just want to watch. On the weekends it is very busy so I chose to just hang out to the side. However, during the week when it is less busy there is more opportunities to join in on the fun. Be forewarned it is a group of gentleman who love to tease beginners. Make note that the park closes early, so don't expect to see a game past sunset.

Crowd
While you will find most of the players are older Cuban gentlemen from the area, the park is a hot spot for tourists. Stick around for a bit and you will see tour buses unload right outside the park and walking groups directed right inside.

Service
The park is small and pretty clean, though it is not too hard to maintain a concrete park.

Parking
If you choose to park on Calle Ocho you are a braver, or possibly crazier, individual than me. Just south of the park is a residential area with plenty of easy and free street parking. Just always check the signs.

Extra
Maximo Gomez Park is a one of a kind cultural destination in Miami. It is a place visitors to Miami love to check out and a place locals have really made their own. Whether or not you play dominoes it is a place anyone can go to enjoy watching the colorful players duke it out.

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.