Relic Bar
Relic Bar occupies a ground-floor space on Calle 9 Este in Casco Viejo, set within exposed stone walls that predate most of the surrounding restorations. The interior is dark, intentionally so, with candlelight and low-wattage bulbs picking out the rough-cut stone and wooden shelving lined with bottles. The cocktail menu leans into rum and whiskey, with a bartender who actually knows the difference between an Agricole rhum and a Panamanian Ron Abuelo expression. A well-made old fashioned runs USD 12-14. The whiskey list includes a surprising range of bourbons and Scotch for a Central American bar. The space seats maybe 30 people across bar stools and a few small tables, keeping the atmosphere tight and conversational. No music overpowers the room.
What to Expect
A quiet, focused drinking experience in a space with genuine character. No dance floor, no DJ, no food menu. Just well-made drinks in an atmospheric room. The crowd is small, usually in their 30s and 40s, and there for the same reason you are.
Cave-like and candlelit. Feels like drinking in a centuries-old cellar, because you essentially are.
Low jazz and blues. The music is background, not the point.
Casual to smart casual. The bar is too small and unpretentious for a dress code, but the crowd tends to look put-together.
Whiskey and rum enthusiasts. Couples on a quiet date. Anyone who wants a break from the rooftop scene.
Cash (USD) preferred, cards accepted
Price Range
Cocktails USD 12-14, whiskey pours USD 10-20, beers USD 5-7
All prices in USD (Panama's currency)
Hours
Thu-Sat 7 PM to midnight. Limited hours earlier in the week; check locally.
Insider Tip
Sit at the bar if you want the full experience. The bartender is knowledgeable and happy to guide you through the rum and whiskey selection. Skip the cocktail menu and ask for a recommendation based on what you like. This is that kind of bar.
Full Review
Relic is the antidote to Casco Viejo's rooftop bar scene. Where Tantalo and Lazotea sell views and open air, Relic sells walls and shadow. The stone interior absorbs sound and light, creating an almost meditative drinking environment. The space is small enough that a crowd of 15 feels busy.
The back bar is well-stocked for a small venue. Ron Abuelo expressions from 7-year to the limited 30-year line up alongside Caribbean rums, a handful of Agricole options, and a whiskey selection that would hold its own in a mid-range American bar. The bartender makes classic cocktails with precision. An old fashioned here uses quality bourbon and proper technique. A daiquiri comes out balanced, not sweet.
The stone walls are original and give the space a gravitas that no decorator could manufacture. You feel the age of the building in a way that the polished bars on Avenida B don't convey. It's atmospheric in the genuine sense of the word.
The downside is limited hours and limited space. Thursday through Saturday is the reliable window. Getting a seat after 9 PM on a Saturday requires luck or patience. There's no waitlist system; you either grab a spot or come back later. The bathroom is single-occupancy and down a narrow hallway.
For a nightcap or a focused drink between stops on a Casco Viejo evening, Relic is the strongest option in the district.
The Neighborhood
Relic sits on a quieter side street off the main Casco Viejo circuit. Tantalo is about a two-minute walk away. The venue's low profile means foot traffic on its block is lighter than the main bar streets, which is part of its appeal.
Getting There
Uber to Casco Viejo, then a short walk to Calle 9 Este. The bar's frontage is subtle; look for a small sign or ask at Tantalo for directions if needed. Walking from the main Casco Viejo plazas takes 2-3 minutes.
Address
Calle 9 Este, 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.
Casa Casco
Restored mansion housing multiple bars, a restaurant, a rum bar, a gin bar, and a rooftop terrace. Each floor has a different atmosphere, from intimate cocktail lounge to open-air party deck.
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.
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.