Panama City Nightlife Transformed by Threeway
(thepanamareport.com) A new alternative to Panama City partygoers is now drawing crowds, whether they intend to or not. Threeway, located in the Riviera building in Bella Vista is one of the new, hip venues popping up offering young people in thy City something other than fru-fru martinis and exhaustively bad reggaeton.
Sitting over the two-story railing at an old colonial mansion in Bella Vista is not what one envisions when they think Panama City nightlife. It's not glitzily lit with dangling chandeliers, there's no fussy dress code, and drink prices still haven't hit the stratosphere of ridiculous. Outdoor tables, a breezy outdoor balcony, casual chaos: it's the feeling of house party, a really good one at that, that has insiders in Panama City coming back for more.
"A secret? We come to this place every weekend!" was the response several times after mentioning that I never knew the place existed.
The Riviera building, a beige masterpiece complete with that colonial storybook look of tiled roofs and decorative archways, sat uninhabited until only a few months ago when a portion of it was converted into Threeway, Panama City's newest substitute for the mundane. In our world of glamorous high-rises and minimalist interior design, the building and lounge itself are a tribute to the way things were: without unnecessary style adjustments. While some of the changes to the building were necessary to accommodate the crowds, the majority of Riviera's residential appeal still exists which is what probably makes the lounge inside so counter intuitively cool.
Just about every facet defies the stereotype of Panama City hip. The bathroom is old-school chic, the floor plan is maze-like, and the integrity of the building's architecture has been preserved effortlessly. The hipsters that go seem to be on the inside of some nightlife movement that, once exposed to, you want desperately to join. Comparatively, there is very little emphasis on status which translates into a relaxed and ultra-social mood.
The vibe inside is decidedly underground. Dim candles and ambient lighting create an interesting subculture: a nice change from many of the Calle Uruguay haunts too preppy for their own good. The layout is similarly unique with a narrow standing area leading to a pool table room and nook-like stage for live music. The actual bar is situated in a funky corner going along with the unexpectedness of it all. Different nights draw different bands and crowds ranging from rock to punk to subdued lounge.
Cover charge was $2, which was a delight to pay and truly worth the atmosphere. We arrived around midnight to find the place filling up pretty fast, in the coincidental (or lucky) way that you sometimes just happen to stumble in on a good party. By 2AM things were fully underway with a live band, sets of friends dancing, and drinks flowing freely. Upon leaving, I got the feeling that people would be there into the wee hours of the morning: the air of a truly late night hotspot.
If someone could post the schedule or any other operation details that'd be nice.
