(Panama Gringo) This Panamanian gringo’s pick for the best bar in Panama City has to go to Relic in the Casco Viejo neighborhood. This bar coincides perfectly with the old quarter’s quirky, artsy and unique vibes. Located in the basement of one of the most popular hostels in the city, Luna’s Castle, this unique bar offers a fantastic atmosphere and eclectic mix of drinkers unlike any other. Once you’ve been ‘Okayed’ by the heavily armed security, you pass through a metal gate and down some stairs to a courtyard. Your brain has trouble perceiving the initial glance as you have a picturesque courtyard with flourishing tropical fauna, nice wooden benches and a welcoming environment, overshadowed by two very ghetto looking buildings looming behind. As you make your way through the courtyard trying to understand the strange opposite extremes of a nice bar in a seemingly impoverished area you enter through two large doors into an air-conditioned dungeon setting. Stone walls, more old-world looking wooden benches and low lighting give off a stellar ambience for a cocktail. Besides the solid physical attributes to this fantastic bar, it always seems to be packed with an interesting group of people. It really starts to get going round 10pm or later on Fridays and Saturdays, but you are welcome to enjoy a cocktail anytime after 8pm. The bar has become very trendy over the last couple years so you have a nice mix of locals, expats and since there is a hostel upstairs there are always handfuls of travelers from all over the world exchanging adventure tales over a beer. Probably the only bar where you can meet an expat ESL teacher, Swedish backpacker and local Panamanian student all sitting together at one bar. Did I mention the abundance of pretty local girls looking to practice their English or just mingle with the interesting crowd? At $2.50 for a local beer or $3.50 for a cocktail this bar isn’t the cheapest deal in the city, but the people and the atmosphere make it worth it!! For more information on Relic