There are the increases in Panama's luxury real estate market: the prices that went from delicious to cruel in a span of a couple of years. There are the prices of hotels: which started around a giggly forty bucks for decent sheets and a warm shower, then rose to something that could be interpreted as a cruel joke. And then there's the pseudo-cool haunts on Calle Uruguay, which have climbed like nocturnal beasts riding Panama's inflationary rocket into a stratosphere entirely of their own. I returned to Calle Uruguay the other night the way a retired pitcher might revisit the mound after about a year hiatus. The feeling that ensued was creepy. 

It's rare when a bar has the ability to transport you to another place and time. Certain spots in New York City have managed this disguise masterfully: a show that goes far further than importing furniture and recreating food, instead entering the deep and genetic-like bowels of environmental cloning: an exercise in which is seamlessly put together in Casco Viejo, Panama via a bar called Havana.

A new alternative to Panama City partygoers is now drawing crowds, whether they intend to or not. Threeway, located in the Riviera building in Bella Vista is one of the new, hip venues popping up offering young people in thy City something other than fru-fru martinis and exhaustively bad reggaeton. 

The best place in the world to retire, the number one investment hotspot in the hemisphere, the top banking and shipping center of the Americas, blah blah blah. As partly a result of claims such as these, residents of Panama City may soon realize that it's OK to be great, but you never want to be the Best.

When asked "what regularly comforts you when travel?" most drinkers can confidently answer that, regardless of the town or language, a British pub is a thing of familiarity that, whether you're from England or not, makes everyone feel a little more at home.

This place, from the outside, looks like a small, crummy cigar bar. It’s situated directly across from The Marriot which means inevitably prices will be doubled. But when you go in, you just might be pleasantly surprised if you like women.

 My first visit to Zanzibar took the form of a big countdown to pending sobriety. I arrived on the Thursday of Holy Week, two hours before the planned 48-hour alcohol ban in honor of the holiday. When I entered the bar through the swinging doors framed by large elephant tusks, I was met with a Moroccan hookah bar feel. Couches line two walls with tables and chairs in front like fluffy arms stretching out from the big screen TV in the corner where the baseball championship game was on mute. In the opposite corner was a decent-sized bar lined with African artifacts and an international selection of alcohol.

My first visit to Zanzibar took the form of a big countdown to pending sobriety. I arrived on the Thursday of Holy Week, two hours before the planned 48-hour alcohol ban in honor of the holiday. When I entered the bar through the swinging doors framed by large elephant tusks, I was met with a Moroccan hookah bar feel. Couches line two walls with tables and chairs in front like fluffy arms stretching out from the big screen TV in the corner where the baseball championship game was on mute. In the opposite corner was a decent-sized bar lined with African artifacts and an international selection of alcohol.

Would I go back again? Hella (Location: Across from the Marriot in Obarrio) ATTITUDE:xxx MOOD: xxxx SERVICE:xxx BEEROMETER:$$ OVERALL:xxxx

Location: David (In between Hotel Toledo and Hotel Nacional) Would I go back again? Ya. ATTITUDE:xxx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xxxx BEEROMETER:$ OVERALL:xxx

Location: David (In between Hotel Toledo and Hotel Nacional) Would I go back again? Ya. ATTITUDE:xxx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xxxx BEEROMETER:$ OVERALL:xxx

Would I go back again? Ya Location: Banking district next to Happy's ATTITUDE:xxxx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xxx BEEROMETER:$$ OVERALL:xxx

I am starting a new series. It might get crazy, I dunno. But if it does, it will be sure to please your Panama-hungry taste buds. I've noticed that when having to write a review a week for this terrible, tedious, boring job I have in Panama ;) I tend to go out a lot. Clearly, the next best thing to do would be to write a series on the finest of what Panama City has to offer. This series is going to be titled “The Best of”: This is what I am going for: You are here for a night, a couple of nights. You want to know what the f**k you are going to do on this fabulous night, or even more fabulous couple of nights, that you are here in this fabulous country. Because quite frankly you just want to have a fabulous time.

I am starting a new series. It might get crazy, I dunno. But if it does, it will be sure to please your Panama-hungry taste buds. I've noticed that when having to write a review a week for this terrible, tedious, boring job I have in Panama ;) I tend to go out a lot. Clearly, the next best thing to do would be to write a series on the finest of what Panama City has to offer. This series is going to be titled “The Best of”: This is what I am going for: You are here for a night, a couple of nights. You want to know what the f**k you are going to do on this fabulous night, or even more fabulous couple of nights, that you are here in this fabulous country. Because quite frankly you just want to have a fabulous time.

Would I go back again? Yes (Calle Uruguay) ATTITUDE:xxxx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xxx BEEROMETER:$$ OVERALL:xxx

Happy's Would I go back again? No (Location: Barria Bancaria) ATTITUDE:xxxx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xxx BEEROMETER:$$$ OVERALL:xx

Would I go back again? Yes, but I must be in disguise (Marbella) ATTITUDE:xxxx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xxx BEEROMETER:$ OVERALL:xxx

Would I go back again? Maybe. (Location: El Cangrejo) ATTITUDE:xx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xx BEEROMETER:$$$ OVERALL:xx

Would I go back again? Maybe. (Location: El Cangrejo) ATTITUDE:xx MOOD: xxx SERVICE:xx BEEROMETER:$$$ OVERALL:xx

Would I go back again? I suppose (Bocas Del Toro) ATTITUDE:xx MOOD: xx SERVICE:xx BEEROMETER:$$ OVERALL:xx