Fun and entertainment Panama

Timetable

Except in Bocas, where the nights can be hot, the small towns remain quite calm, especially during the week. It is in the capital that the evenings and nights are the most animated. The beginning of the week is obviously quieter, but there is plenty of fun to be had every night, especially in Casco Viejo. The party really starts on Thursday, until Saturday night. The terraces of the cafés and the rooftops fill up around 6 pm, the nightclubs around midnight, to close around 3 am, 4 am on weekends.

Beware of the ley seca (the "dry law"): on certain religious or election eves, the law prohibits the sale of alcohol, including in bars.

Budget & Tips

If you stay reasonable and out of the most chic places, you can spend a good evening for the equivalent of 20-50 US$, between the entrance fees in clubs and the drinks. A local beer in a bar costs around 3-4 US$, more in pubs offering craft beverages. A basic cocktail from 6 US$ in a cheap beach bar, 10-15 US$ in a bar in Casco Viejo.

To be booked

Reservations are not required, except to attend performances by world-renowned artists.

Night transport

At night, when leaving a bar or a discotheque in the capital, it is preferable to take a cab or VTC to reach your hotel if it is not nearby, for security reasons.

Age restrictions

The consumption of alcohol is allowed from 18 years old. Younger people will have to prove their age at the entrance of bars and clubs. A photocopy of your passport is sufficient.

What's very local

On weekends, limousines rented by los yeyesitos (the golden youth) are often on the road to celebrate birthdays or graduations... More popular, chivas parranderas are old buses or diablos rojos refurbished especially for the fiesta! Colourful and open-sided, the chivas roam the city from 9pm onwards, with an explosive murga ("brass band") inside: sax, trumpet, trombone, percussion... If there's no live concert, you'll be treated to an explosive bass sound system! The seats have a wooden bar system for glasses and bottles of seco or national rum. For US$30 per person, you can drink without limit. Back around midnight. Youth hostels usually organize groups.

When it comes to dress code, Latinos make an effort to dress up when they go out, so avoid shorts, or you'll be turned away. Of course, it's more relaxed in Bocas and in the bars that cater primarily to tourists.

Smokers

In principle, smoking is prohibited inside bars and discotheques.