What better place to feel the wind in your hair than in a fabulous rooftop bar, caressing the clouds? There’s something so effortlessly chic about a rooftop bar, and Panama City is showered in them.

In the old town of Casco Viejo, one is particularly spoilt for choice. The scope of rooftop bars means that if you aren’t content where you are, you can essentially peer over your shoulder and peek at how things are going at the other nearby rooftops, which you can either see directly, or hear the music playing. Panama City is an urban wonderland filled with music-loving Panamanians who relish in dressing well. So, get your dancing shoes on, and join the glitterati in the sky.

Here are 10 fabulous rooftop bars in Panama City, Panama:

 1. Tantalo bar

Take your Panama City experience to new heights with a visit to Tantalo, the most popular rooftop bar and club in Casco Viejo, Panama. Tantalo is actually a ten-room boutique hotel with a bar and restaurant on the ground floor, however, the rooftop terrace is the jewel in their crown. The sunset-loving crowd starts arriving in the late afternoon to wine and dine on quinoa and chickpea salads, sautéed octopus with coconut milk, and other fine culinary creations. The servers at Tantalo occasionally wear Panama hats, which actually say ‘Panama’ on them, serving as an amusing reminder of where you are.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYuAwk5hQP8/?hl=en&taken-by=tantalohotel

There is a healthy roster of nightly events at Tantalo Panama such as Tuesday art nights, Latin nights every Wednesday from 8pm, and Glam night on Thursdays from 9pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s one of the stops on the Panama Bar Crawl of Casco Viejo, ran by events company Beyoa. The terrace has previously played host to brand-sponsored events from the likes of Moet & Chandon, to Disaronno and Armani Exchange. Dress to impress.

Tantalo Hotel Kitchen Rooftop, Calle 8A Este y Ave B, Casco Viejo, Panamá, Panama / Call 507 262 4030/ 507 262 4022
Reception@tantalohotel.com / sleep@tantalohotel.com

2. Gatto Blanco

Next door to Tantalo, is yet another fantastic Panama City rooftop bar, Gatto Blanco, which has an intimate and unassuming atmosphere, and hosts live music sessions every Tuesday. Musicians are even invited to bring their own instruments to jam long. On Wednesdays, women can take advantage of their ladies night offer with a glass of sangria for just $1. Gatto Blanco is the rooftop bar of Casa Nuratti Boutique Hotel. Make your way through the ever-stylish foyer to get the lift up to Gatto Blanco and escalate your evening.

Gatto Blanco, Avenida B, Hotel Casa Nuratti, Casco Viejo, Panamá, Panama / Call 507 262 2315

3. Capital Bistro Panamá

At the very entrance of Casco Viejo, one of Panama City’s bars stands out among the rest, tempting prospective patrons with an enticing view of the Pacific. Capital Bistro is a scintillating outdoor bar on the banks of the water – any closer and you would be in it. Their scrumptious signature cocktails coupled with the string lit ocean view, makes this one very magical evening out indeed.

Capital Bistro Panamá, Ave Eloy Alfaro, Casco Viejo, Panamá, Panama / Call 507 202 6890 / Cbpreservas@gmail.com

4. Casa Casco

Casa Casco feels utterly elegant, but the staff aren’t too fancy to play dress up. On special occasions the terrace bartenders will don whatever props they can get their hands on, to spruce up your experience.

Casa Casco is the name of the entire building and the first three floors house three independently run restaurants: Marula, Nación Sushi and Mano de Tigre. The fourth floor is the Panama City nightclub, Casco Club and finally, the fifth floor is the site of the decadent terrace bar with panoramic vistas. Upon arrival at the roof terrace, you will be asked if you would prefer the city or sea view. What a laborious choice that is…

Casa Casco, Calle 10 Este, Casco Viejo, Panamá, Panama / Call 507 264 5526/ 507 6288 9024

 5. Lazotea

Lazotea was the first rooftop bar in Panama City to have a swimming pool, which you can actually swim in. Competition has swung in, but it retains its crown as one of the best rooftop views in Casco.

Lazotea Rooftop, Hotel Casa Panama, Calle 11 Este y Ave Eloy Alfaro, Casco Viejo, Panamá, Panama / Call 507 303 0992
Reservas@hotelcasapanama.com

6. Panaviera

Experience the envy-inducing view at Panaviera at least once in your life. When next will you be able to say that you saw the sun set at one of the highest pool bars in Panama and Central America as a whole? Lamentably, you can’t actually enter the pool, but you probably wouldn’t want to anyway given how spectacularly you dressed for the occasion.

Panaviera, Piso 66, Ocean Sun Casino, Trump Tower, Calle Punta Colon, Punta Pacifica, Panamá, Panama / Whatsapp 507 6613 4345
Panavierapanama@gmail.com

7. V Piso

Given that Panama City, Panama is blessed with year-round warm weather, what better way to enjoy the delightfully brisk air, than with a cocktail in hand? Recently opened V Piso is a welcome addition to the Casco rooftop bar scene. Perched luxuriously above Restaurante Tomillo, you could make a stopover here for Tapas and a tequila sunrise.

Piso V, Restaurante Tomillo, Calle Victoriano Lorenzo, Casco Viejo, Panamá, Panama / Call 507 202 6873/ 507 202 6881
Mercadeo.vpiso@gmail.com

8. BITS Rooftop Lounge

It would be negligent to exclude the Hard Rock Hotel rooftop bar from this write up, seeing as it is actually called “Bar in the Sky”, or BITS for short. Enjoy nightlife above the city at this extravagant drinkery, which is enthroned with picture-perfect panoramic views. 62 stories above the ground, you get an ethereal vantage point and exquisite cocktails. Life is good.

BITS, Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis, Ave Balboa, Frente a Multicentro, Panamá, Panama / Call 507 380 1112
Relaciones.publicas@hrpanamamegapolis.com

9. Compadre

Ever been to a barbershop / tattoo studio / bar / rooftop lounge? Well, that’s Compadre for you. It’s Lazotea’s next-door neighbour and the rooftop is on the fourth floor so you’ll have some stairs to contend with to reach the intimate, cozy setting at the top.

Compadre Barbers & Rooftop Club, Calle 11 Este, Ave Eloy Alfaro, Casco Viejo, Panamá, Panama / Call 381 9488

10. W Panama

Given that Panama City is blessed with year-round warm weather, what better way to enjoy the delightfully brisk air, than poolside with a cocktail in hand? The W hotel’s WET Deck is a welcome addition to the Panama City rooftop bar scene.

W Panama, Calle 50 and Calle Aquilino de la Guardia, Panamá, Panama / Call 302 7555