Casa Casco
Casa Casco occupies a restored 19th-century mansion on the corner of Avenida Central and Calle 1 in Casco Viejo, and it functions as a multi-concept venue with something different on each floor. The ground floor houses a chocolate shop and a gallery space. The second floor holds a rum bar (Casco Rum Shop) with an impressive selection of Panamanian and Caribbean rums. A gin bar (Gin 1903) occupies another level. The rooftop terrace offers views and cocktails in an open-air setting. Each floor has its own atmosphere, staff, and drink menu, making it feel like several bars in one building. Cocktails range from USD 12-18 depending on the floor and complexity. The building itself is worth seeing for the restoration work alone, with original tile floors, wrought-iron balconies, and high ceilings throughout.
What to Expect
A refined, multi-sensory experience spread across several floors. Each level has its own personality. The pace is relaxed early in the evening and picks up as the rooftop fills. The crowd is upscale, international, and appreciative of the setting. No loud club music or dance floors; this is about cocktails and conversation.
Elegant without being stuffy. The building's colonial character does most of the work. Candlelit tables, wrought-iron details, and the sound of quiet conversation create an intimate feel even when the place is busy.
Background jazz, Latin acoustic, and lounge music. No DJs or live bands.
Smart casual to upscale. The venue attracts a dressed-up crowd, especially on weekends. Men should wear collared shirts and closed shoes at minimum.
Couples looking for a sophisticated date night with variety. Rum and gin enthusiasts. Architecture lovers who want to see a beautifully restored colonial building.
Credit cards and cash (USD) accepted on all floors
Price Range
Cocktails USD 12-18, rum flights USD 15-25, gin tastings USD 18-22
All prices in USD (Panama's currency)
Hours
Tue-Sat 5 PM to midnight. Rooftop stays open until 1 AM on Fri-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon.
Insider Tip
Start at the rum bar on the second floor for a tasting flight, then work your way up to the rooftop. The gin bar is the least crowded floor on most nights and has the most interesting menu. Reservations help on weekends, especially for the rooftop.
Full Review
The entrance on Avenida Central opens into a ground floor that doubles as retail and gallery space. The chocolate shop sells artisan Panamanian cacao products. It's a pleasant surprise but not why most people visit. The stairs lead up to the rum bar, which is the venue's strongest offering.
Casco Rum Shop stocks over 200 rums, with a particular focus on Panamanian brands like Ron Abuelo and Herrera. The bartenders know their product and can guide you through a tasting flight that covers the range from light mixing rums to aged sipping varieties. A flight of four runs about USD 15-25 depending on what you select. Individual pours of premium aged rums cost USD 10-15.
Gin 1903, named for the year Panama separated from Colombia, occupies its own floor with a curated selection of botanical gins and tonic pairings. It's a niche concept that works because the bartenders commit to it. If gin isn't your thing, the cocktail menu offers alternatives.
The rooftop is smaller than Tantalo's and fills faster. Views face the bay and parts of the old town. It's lovely at sunset and pleasant at night, but the space constraints mean you may wait for a spot on busy weekends. Service across all floors is attentive and knowledgeable.
The building itself is the hidden star. Original tile floors, exposed stone walls, and restored woodwork give each floor texture that no new-build bar can replicate. Take a moment to look up and around between drinks.
The Neighborhood
Casa Casco sits at the edge of Casco Viejo near Plaza de la Independencia. The National Theater is across the street. The main restaurant strip along Avenida B and Calle 5 starts a two-minute walk east. Tantalo and Pedro Mandinga are both within a five-minute walk.
Getting There
Uber from the banking district takes 10-15 minutes and costs USD 4-7. The Casco Viejo entrance is pedestrian-friendly, but driving and parking in the neighborhood is difficult. Drop-off by Uber near Plaza de la Independencia puts you within a one-minute walk.
Address
Avenida Central and Calle 1, Casco Viejo
Other Venues in Casco Viejo
Tantalo Kitchen + Rooftop Bar
Multi-level venue in a restored colonial building with a ground-floor restaurant, mezzanine bar, and rooftop terrace overlooking the Pacific and the city skyline. DJs play on weekends.
Lazotea
Rooftop cocktail bar perched above the old town with 360-degree views of the skyline, the bay, and the Bridge of the Americas. Known for craft cocktails and a laid-back sunset crowd.
Relic Bar
Atmospheric bar in a converted colonial space with exposed stone walls, low lighting, and a cocktail menu focused on rum and whiskey. Quieter than the rooftop spots and good for conversation.
Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar
Craft rum distillery and bar producing Panama's only artisan rum on-site. Flights of house-made rums, rum cocktails, and a small food menu in a relaxed storefront setting.
Strangers Club
Speakeasy-style bar hidden behind an unmarked door. Craft cocktails served in a dimly lit, intimate space with a dress code and a reservations-recommended policy. One of the district's most talked-about bars.