Page 85 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE Panama City 83
ESSENTIALS Martes” (Tues) and Latin dancing on Wed. Food served until 1
Clubs and bars Clubs are called discotecas – ask for a club 9pm. $10 cover at weekends. Daily 5pm–late.
and you’ll end up at a strip joint. Bars and discotecas open,
close and reinvent themselves at an alarming rate: the CLUB
current hot spots are in and around Casco Viejo, with a Teatro Amador Av Central between C 11 and C 13
sprinkling around C Uruguay in Bella Vista, spreading out T212 1565, Wteatroamador.com; map p.56. This
towards El Cangrejo and Marbella, where you’ll hear converted theatre, with VIP balcony, cage-dancers and a
everything from techno to reggae and reggaeton to salsa. large dancefloor, is currently the hottest dance place in the
In the smarter bars and clubs you’ll need to dress up – no city, presided over by a DJ and attracting international Latin
shorts or sandals. acts. Cover charge $10–15. Thurs–Sat 10pm–late.
Costs Local beers cost around $4–6, with imports, spirits
and cocktails at $8–10. If you’re in a group, buying a bottle LiVE mUSiC
of spirits between you (which can sometimes get the entry Danilo’s Jazz Club American Trade Hotel, Plaza Herrera
charge waived) or a cubetazo (bucket of beer) will help T211 2000, Wes.acehotel.com/panama/jazz–club;
keep costs down. Discoteca entry, generally $10–20, may map p.56. Backed by Grammy-award-winning Panamanian
include an open bar up until a certain time and the usual jazz great Danilo Pérez (to whose foundation some of the
“Ladies’ Night” enticements. proceeds go), this fifty-seater club is a major venue for the
Casinos Several large casinos are conveniently located annual international jazz festival in January, also organized
near or in the high-end hotels. The larger ones, such as the by Pérez (Wpanamajazzfestival.com), and regularly hosts
Majestic (in Multicentro by the Radisson Decapolis Hotel) international guest artists. Bar menu available. Cover
and the Hotel Veneto Casino, often have live music at charge. Wed–Sat 7pm–1am, Sun 3–10pm.
weekends. Piña Cala Vera C 11 at C Eloy Alfaro T6245 1377,
What’s on To find out what’s on, pick up a copy of La Wfacebook.com/pinacalavera; map p.56. Funky,
Prensa (Wprensa.com) or the free weekly The Visitor/El bohemian cultural space owned by Panamanian musician
Visitante (Wthevisitorpanama.com); Wthepanamadigest Cienfue, aimed at encouraging and promoting new
.com and Wquehaypahoypanama.com also have events musicians – rock artists in particular. The distinctive decor
listings, and Wpanamarock.com has gig listings. features umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and a host of
recycled materials. Cheap beer and occasional cover
CASCO VIEJO charge. Tues–Sat 7pm–late, Sun 4pm–late.
BaRS
Mojitos (sin Mojitos) Plaza Herrera Wmojitossin BELLA VISTA, EL CANGREJO & MARBELLA
mojitos.com; map p.56. This small, intimate cellar-like BaRS
bar, draped with foliage, and buzzing with expats, locals BITS Hard Rock Hotel, Av Balboa by Multicentro
and travellers, is a must for a night out in Casco Viejo, T380 1111, Whrhpanamamegapolis.com/unforgettable
offering affordable drinks (though no mojitos!), tasty -nightlife.htm; map pp.62–63. The Bar in the Sky is just
home-made meat- and veggie burgers, and the occasional that: Latin America’s highest rooftop bar, on the 62nd floor,
live act. Tues–Sat 6pm–late. with indoor and outdoor seating offering 360-degree
Relic Luna’s Castle, C 9 Este between Av “B” and views of the glittering city lights from behind a glass
Av Alfaro T262 1540, Wrelicbar.com; map p.56. surround. Mon–Sat 8pm–late.
Funky plant-filled basement courtyard and dungeon- Istmo Brew Pub C Eusebio A. Morales at Vía Veneto;
like bar with subdued lighting and wooden tables, and a map pp.62–63. If you’re craving something other than the
playlist of indie, hip-hop and rock. It attracts travellers standard cerveza, try this half open-air, half dungeon-like
from the adjoining hostel, but the (relatively) bar – they offer tasty beer on tap brewed on site (from $5)
inexpensive drinks and casual vibe reel in many in beautiful copper kegs, plus bottled imports from all over.
Panamanians too. At weekends it’s so crammed you can The pool table, darts, football matches on TV and occasional
hardly get in the door and the lack of a/c can take its toll. live bands also bring in the punters. Daily 4.30pm–late.
Tues–Sat from 8pm. ★ La Rana Dorada Vía Argentina at Einstein’s Head
Tántalo Tántalo Hotel, Av “B” between C 8 and C 9 T269 2989, Wlaranadorada.com; map pp.62–63.
T262 4030, Wtantalo.com/roofbar; map p.56. The Brasserie-bar popular with young expat and middle-class
original Casco Viejo rooftop bar has stellar views – get here Panamanians, serving beer, cocktails and food. The
early to bag your high stool. Watch the city skyline light up home-brewed beer and the trendy location attract
while sipping one of their signature cocktails – try the crowds that spill out onto the street. Its sibling bar in
Bacardi grape mojito ($7). There’s something happening Casco Viejo (Av Eloy Alfaro at C 11; T212 2680) is equally
most nights, with body painting and live artists on “Artes popular. Daily noon–late.

050-089_Panama_3_Ch1.indd 83 30/06/17 11:49 am