Panama City: Casco Viejo Bar Crawl & 5 Drinks Night Tour

Summary

Casco Viejo’s wildest bars, new friends, and late-night stories

You’ll jump straight into Panama City’s wild Casco Viejo nightlife with five drinks included (beer or mixed), led by energetic local guides who know every shortcut and dance floor. Expect music spilling into cobbled streets, new friends from everywhere, and those moments when you realize you’re actually living the story you’ll tell later.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start the night trying to pronounce “Seco Herrerano” (the local spirit — I still can’t say it right). Li, our guide, just grinned and handed me my first drink. The air in Casco Viejo was thick with music — salsa leaking from doorways, bass thumping somewhere down the block. We were maybe ten people at the start, but it felt like more once we hit that first little bar with its sticky wooden counter and walls covered in Polaroids. Someone spilled their beer laughing too hard at an Australian guy’s story about getting lost on the Cinta Costera. Nobody seemed to care.

By the third stop, I’d already forgotten which street we were on — everything in Casco Viejo kind of blurs together after dark: cobblestones underfoot, warm breeze off the bay, locals waving from balconies above. Our guide kept us moving (“Vamos chicos!”), making sure nobody got left behind or too distracted by the street vendors selling empanadas. I tried a rum cocktail that tasted like lime and something smoky; not sure what else was in it but it worked. There was this moment outside one of the clubs where we all just stood there listening to some old cumbia track echoing out into the alleyway. It felt weirdly peaceful for a second — then someone shouted “shots!” and that was that.

I met people from Colombia, Germany, even a couple who’d just flown in from Canada that afternoon (they looked exhausted but happy). You get one drink at each place — beer or whatever mix you want with rum or vodka or gin — but honestly half the fun is just watching how everyone else reacts to Panama City’s nightlife. The guides are pros at keeping things lively without being pushy. And yeah, if you want fancy whisky or something, you’re on your own for that part.

I woke up with sand in my shoe and a phone full of blurry photos I don’t totally remember taking. Still think about that cumbia song sometimes when things get too quiet back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Party tour in Casco Viejo

• Meet at Panama City's Old Town
• Join the Panama Barcrawl walking tour
• Visit five bars and clubs
• Enjoy one alcoholic drink at each stop
• Dance and mingle with locals and travelers
• Party with professional hosts

Top questions

How many bars do you visit on the Panama Barcrawl?

The tour visits five different bars or clubs in Casco Viejo.

Is there a drink included at each stop?

Yes, one alcoholic drink is included at each of the five venues visited.

What types of drinks are included?

You can choose from local beer or mixed drinks with rum, vodka, gin, or tequila shots at each bar.

Does the tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; this is a walking tour starting in Casco Viejo.

Are professional guides part of this bar crawl?

Yes, fun and professional party guides lead the experience throughout the night.

Is food included during the Panama City bar crawl?

No food is included; only drinks are provided as part of the tour.

Is this bar crawl suitable for solo travelers?

Yes, solo travelers are welcome and often join groups during the crawl.

Are there any health restrictions for joining?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your night includes entry to five bars or clubs around Casco Viejo with one alcoholic drink at each stop (beer or mixed drinks with rum, vodka, gin, or tequila), all guided by friendly local hosts who keep things organized and fun from start to finish — no extra cover charges along the way.