Normally when you think of nightlife in Latin America, salsa dancing is the first thing that comes to mind. However, in Panama City, it can be difficult to uncover the salsa culture as reggaeton is the preferred genre of music. I did a bit of digging around and found that salsa lovers actually have a place to go almost every day of the week! Some places offer lessons for beginners or advanced dancers wanting to finite their skills, while others have a live band to put what you learned into action.
Here are the best spots to go salsa dancing in Panama City, Panama.
Majestic Casino Multicentro
Every Monday & Tuesday at the Majestic Casino in Multicentro you can take a group salsa lesson for just $3. The classes start at 6:45 pm and go until 10 pm. Once you’re ready to test out your new salsa moves you can head back on Friday or Saturday after 10 pm for dancing to live salsa music.
Royal Casino Marriott
Every Tuesday at 6:30 pm you can take salsa lessons at the Royal Casino next to the Marriott Hotel for $3. They also have a live salsa orchestra every Friday & Saturday with free entry.
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Casco Antiguo Spanish School
The Casco Antiguo Spanish School doubles as a salsa dancing studio every Wednesday. The class goes from 5 pm – 6 pm and is geared towards beginners. The cost is $10 / person or free for students taking Spanish lessons and you can reserve your spot via THIS LINK.
Umai Sushi Bar
Every Wednesday starting at 6 pm at Umai Sushi Bar inside the Occidental Hotel you can take a salsa dancing class for $3. For an additional $10 you can enjoy open margaritas which might better or worse your dance moves.
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Paradise Banquet Hall
Every Thursday you can take salsa lessons at Paradise Banquet Hall (in the Galerias Obarrio shopping strip) for $5. Classes start at 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm and this is ideal for beginners that have never danced salsa as well as intermediate (they separate the groups). More info here…
Radisson Decapolis
Every Thursday the Radisson Decapolis hotel hosts free salsa lessons starting at 7 pm.
Zaza Lounge
Every Friday you can enjoy a live salsa band at Zaza Lounge in Casco Viejo for their weekly Latin Night. The music typically starts around 10 pm and will go until the wee hours of the night.
Star Bay Casino
Every Friday & Saturday at the Star Bay Casino next to Hilton has a free live orchestra band after 10 pm.
Potros Bar
Potros Bar is located in Plaza Concordia on Via España. They are open daily after 6 pm and play almost every type of Latin music: salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, reggaeton, and more.
Malecón
Malecón is one of the few spots that regularly offers live salsa music in the Casco Viejo area on Friday & Saturday nights after 10 pm. They do not offer lessons so this is a great spot to go to put your practice into action.
Where are your favorite spots to salsa in Panama City? Leave a comment below.
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