9 Best Nightlife in Casco Viejo, Panama City

This tapas restaurant has tables on Plaza Bolívar, with views of the illuminated Iglesia de San Francisco and other historic structures, making it one of the city's most romantic spots for a drink.

The rooftop bar of this hip hotel has a great view of the city's skyline beyond the ancient roofs of Casco Viejo. Weekends vibrate with the boom-boom of deafening house music, though the quality of the DJs varies. You can get a relatively quiet drink here Sunday through Wednesday.

This spacious dance hall (formerly known as Habana Panamá) hosts a variety of DJs, live music, and musical styles, from rap to salsa to electronica. They also screen sports events, so call or check their Facebook page to find out what's happening. Musical groups and DJs perform on a large stage at the end of a long dance floor lined with plush booths, at the opposite end of which is a massive bar stocked with a wide variety of alcoholic refreshments.

Casablanca, on the ground floor of the old Hotel Colombia, has tables on beautiful Plaza Bolívar, which is a great spot for a drink and conversation at night. They have live Latin music Thursday through Saturday, when this place really hops.

This popular microbrewery at the edge of Casco Viejo offers half a dozen home brews and a small menu. You can sit indoors or on the front terrace, which has a view of the modern skyline across the bay.

This French restaurant on Plaza Francia has tables on the plaza and a bar inside one of the Bóvedas (arched, brick chambers dating from the colonial era) that often features live jazz on Friday night and salsa music on Saturday. Call to confirm the evening's entertainment.

This funky little place on the southeast corner of Plaza Herrera looks like a construction site from the street, but at night the ancient walls and tropical foliage create a very cool atmosphere, which is complemented by the music of DJs and live bands, and the young crowd, which frequently spills out into the street and plaza.

Platea may not have much of a dance floor, but the club—which is open only on Friday and Saturday nights—books hot salsa bands and is packed most Friday nights, when people dance in the aisles or wherever else there's room. The bartenders and waiters, dressed in black with Panama hats, are part of the show, as they dance while delivering mojitos and Cuba libres. On Saturday, Latin jazz, rock, and other types of live music are featured, so call ahead.

Cuban music, a massive, hardwood bar, and walls covered with photos and paintings of Cuba make it easy to imagine you're in Havana's old quarter as you sip a mojito.