Panama City

Attention fellow mongers:

The president signed a decree this past November 9th (the night before a holiday) regulating the operatiing hours of ALL entertainment related venues, name clubs, bars, billiards, restaurants and the like. The only exceptions are the bars / clubs located inside licensed hotels.

Mongering hours should be rearranged by everyone, no more after parties and the like (at least for now). The local bar association has filed a lawsuit against it today and its pending review, but in the meantime, the decree is in full effect.

Only safe spots to monger will the the casinos, Venetto, Fiesta, Majestic that are located in hotel premises. Expect A LOT of people at 3am, because everyone will be partying at clubs then migrating to casinos.

The full time frame is.

Sunday thru Wednesday, closing time will be at 2am.

Thursday thru Saturday, closing will be at 3am

[QUOTE=GauntMan; 1217352]Attention fellow mongers:

The president signed a decree this past November 9th (the night before a holiday) regulating the operatiing hours of ALL entertainment related venues, name clubs, bars, billiards, restaurants and the like. The only exceptions are the bars / clubs located inside licensed hotels.

Mongering hours should be rearranged by everyone, no more after parties and the like (at least for now). The local bar association has filed a lawsuit against it today and its pending review, but in the meantime, the decree is in full effect.

Only safe spots to monger will the the casinos, Venetto, Fiesta, Majestic that are located in hotel premises. Expect A LOT of people at 3am, because everyone will be partying at clubs then migrating to casinos.

The full time frame is.

Sunday thru Wednesday, closing time will be at 2am.

Thursday thru Saturday, closing will be at 3am[/QUOTE]Update:

The mayor has countered with a decree of his own. Since the president overturned the authority of the mayor with the alcohol decree, he will create another decree upholding the previous, but including the casinos AND the sale of alcohol in any market, supermarket and convenience store. Things are about to get messy, as these decrees all have political backgrounds

There seems to be an evil plot to f*k up my vacation!

[QUOTE=GauntMan; 1217703]Update:

The mayor has countered with a decree of his own. Since the president overturned the authority of the mayor with the alcohol decree, he will create another decree upholding the previous, but including the casinos AND the sale of alcohol in any market, supermarket and convenience store. Things are about to get messy, as these decrees all have political backgrounds[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Cultureshock; 1196814]I emailed the hotel milian and torres de alba, and not replies after three days. There look like the best alternatives to the Veneto, but I am getting mixed signals on the Internet.

[url]http://www.republicofpanama.net/Main/Ask_Panama_Jack/Hotel_Milan_Panama/[/url]

The above article appears to be recent. Anyone with first hand experience on the Milan?

Thanks.[/QUOTE]I have stayed at Hotel Milan several times. Very clean and comfortable, much quieter than Vegas Suites. Normally I call first, then they respond via email to confirm.

Very clean, very nice, and private. As of last year, they allowed guests up to room but you must come downstairs and meet them, that's it. Also, when you leave the key stays with them. They now have Wi-fi, and if you pay cash they offer a discount.

Thank you for all the info. I think I have this pinned down just need some strings to pull together. I have gathered I need to stay at a Casino hotel (prob Veneto) for me and my buddies trip this Dec for New years eve. Other than the Columbians who tend to over charge and be mechanical. Is there a recommendation for a first timer with wing man? Like few hotel options and some MUST GO places. I dig the cheap chicks during the day and a maybe a 1 to 1. 5 at night if I feel like it. I have been to Costa rica and I gather the feeling it is very similar. So if someone could respond with a few MUST GO TO spots and what to be had that would be huge. There is just so much info here it would be hard to get to it all so I would like to SUM up my 4 day trip with the important stops. Maybe a good massage parlor, club, restaurant. Call it a TO DO LIST. LOL. Thank you in advance.

GEO!

I will be full detail reporting on all of this with pics. And if anyone cares to pick my brain on Tijuana, CR Bangkok or Manila I am your guy. Just looking to broaden my horizons.

[QUOTE=George Sims; 1219720]Thank you for all the info. I think I have this pinned down just need some strings to pull together. I have gathered I need to stay at a Casino hotel (prob Veneto) for me and my buddies trip this Dec for New years eve. Other than the Columbians who tend to over charge and be mechanical. Is there a recommendation for a first timer with wing man? Like few hotel options and some MUST GO places. I dig the cheap chicks during the day and a maybe a 1 to 1. 5 at night if I feel like it. I have been to Costa rica and I gather the feeling it is very similar. So if someone could respond with a few MUST GO TO spots and what to be had that would be huge. There is just so much info here it would be hard to get to it all so I would like to SUM up my 4 day trip with the important stops. Maybe a good massage parlor, club, restaurant. Call it a TO DO LIST. LOL. Thank you in advance.

GEO!

I will be full detail reporting on all of this with pics. And if anyone cares to pick my brain on Tijuana, CR Bangkok or Manila I am your guy. Just looking to broaden my horizons.[/QUOTE]To do list below. Promise us a nice report when you get back especially with the new Carrot law in affect, and how that is affecting business down there.

1. Best massage Parlor (Golden times)

2. Restaurants, Gaucho, Manolos and Rino's. Awesome italian food.

3. Bars- all of them on Calle Uraguay. Only 3 4 blocks away from Veneto. Or Zona viva, depends which nights.

4. Always negotiate with cab drivers in front of the veneto.

5. Best cigar / bar pick up spot is Habanos.

6. Places of interest not to miss, Habanos, Elite, Golden time, Veneto Bar of course, and the best strip club with the hottest women in just white lace Le Palace.

Enjoy! Wish I was going!

Snipps pretty much nailed it.

Habanos, Veneto- also after midnight A' Che and La Bodeguita. (a lot of the Habanos girls go there after 12)

Cabs in between these places should be $3-$4 each way no more unless you get into a Private Honda or something.

Not sure when your going but, if you have a choice go after Mid January as the girls will steadily start leaving to go back to Colombia for the Holidays from the Begining of Dec until a week or so after new years Enjoy.

The word from Panama is that all the clubs such as Le Palace and Elite are now open much earlier like at 7pm.

The new laws define closing time for all bars and clubs at 2am. This does not apply to casinos. It seems logical to assume that after 2am the best places to get the chicas from all the establishments would be the casinos with much bargains to be had for all.

Finding liquor to take to your room after closing hours should not be a problem because liquor shops which you can find in any Rey Supermarket some of which open 24 hrs.

While much has been said about Veneto it seems the best place to stay because it is the most chica friendly casino so far lets hope that does not change also its going to be ground zero for all chicas from Habanos and all the other clubs. Have a great safe vacation look forward to the reports.

[QUOTE=Snipps; 1219960]To do list below. Promise us a nice report when you get back especially with the new Carrot law in affect, and how that is affecting business down there.

1. Best massage Parlor (Golden times)

2. Restaurants, Gaucho, Manolos and Rino's. Awesome italian food.

3. Bars- all of them on Calle Uraguay. Only 3 4 blocks away from Veneto. Or Zona viva, depends which nights.

4. Always negotiate with cab drivers in front of the veneto.

5. Best cigar / bar pick up spot is Habanos.

6. Places of interest not to miss, Habanos, Elite, Golden time, Veneto Bar of course, and the best strip club with the hottest women in just white lace Le Palace.

Enjoy! Wish I was going![/QUOTE]What a GREAT report back. I like "to do " lists from people who know whats up. After I frequent a spot or get a good lay of the land I make a "to do" list for next return or advice for friends that will travel. Thank you for the time. I will report back. Doing a little new years bash there. Should be wild. So I hope. I will report back. And one last question. Is WI FI good down there or horrible connections like every other Latin country I been to?

The Wifi is good. Let us know how Habanos and Veneto are during that time. Most of the girls go back to Colombia for the holidays like I mentioned but, I am interested to see how it is.

[QUOTE=George Sims;1220411]What a GREAT report back. I like "to do " lists from people who know whats up. After I frequent a spot or get a good lay of the land I make a "to do" list for next return or advice for friends that will travel. Thank you for the time. I will report back. Doing a little new years bash there. Should be wild. So I hope. I will report back. And one last question. Is WI FI good down there or horrible connections like every other Latin country I been to?[/QUOTE]A few days ago the mayor of PTY passed a law that forces the casinos and hotels to stop serving liquor at the same hours as the bars.

[QUOTE=Tbuss;1220869]A few days ago the mayor of PTY passed a law that forces the casinos and hotels to stop serving liquor at the same hours as the bars.[/QUOTE]Just saw this article. I HOPE PC IS NOT GETTING WORSE ANY THOUGHTS WHO ARE THERE NOW? Feels like its just getting worse and worse!

39 Arrested, Twelve Nightclubs Sanctioned in "Carrot Law" Busts.

Monday, November 28 2011@02:23 PM COT.

The Mayor of Panama City in a press release reported the closing of "My Bodeguita" and the sanctioning of twelve nightclubs for failing to comply with Decrees Number 1896 and 1899, which established the "Carrot Law." This came after raids conducted this weekend. The press release said during these operations 39 people were arrested for disrespect to the authorities. Some people were arrested because they were illegal immigrants, and others who are involved in prostitution without an updated health card or permit. They were turned over to the "competent authorities."

Municipal authorities during a Preventive Security operation visited neighborhoods in the areas of Calidonia, Santa Ana. 24 de Diciembre, Juan Diaz, San Francisco (Calle Uruguay) , where several bars and nightclubs were fined for violating the decree governing limits on the sound levels (decibels) in nightclubs. The action was led by Justice of the Peace on shift, Luis Morales and the coordinator of the Justices of the Peace, Reynaldo Morales, personal from the office of Municipal Surveillance, as well as from the Law and Justice office, among other officials. The coordinator of the Justices of the Peace Reynaldo Morales said operations will continue in the 21 different sectors of the capital city in order to reduce the high rate of delinquencies that occur daily in our country. (TVN)

[QUOTE=Snipps; 1221848]Just saw this article. I HOPE PC IS NOT GETTING WORSE ANY THOUGHTS WHO ARE THERE NOW? Feels like its just getting worse and worse!

39 Arrested, Twelve Nightclubs Sanctioned in "Carrot Law" Busts.

Monday, November 28 [email]2011@02[/email]:23 PM COT.

The Mayor of Panama City in a press release reported the closing of "My Bodeguita" and the sanctioning of twelve nightclubs for failing to comply with Decrees Number 1896 and 1899, which established the "Carrot Law." This came after raids conducted this weekend. The press release said during these operations 39 people were arrested for disrespect to the authorities. Some people were arrested because they were illegal immigrants, and others who are involved in prostitution without an updated health card or permit. They were turned over to the "competent authorities."

Municipal authorities during a Preventive Security operation visited neighborhoods in the areas of Calidonia, Santa Ana. 24 de Diciembre, Juan Diaz, San Francisco (Calle Uruguay) , where several bars and nightclubs were fined for violating the decree governing limits on the sound levels (decibels) in nightclubs. The action was led by Justice of the Peace on shift, Luis Morales and the coordinator of the Justices of the Peace, Reynaldo Morales, personal from the office of Municipal Surveillance, as well as from the Law and Justice office, among other officials. The coordinator of the Justices of the Peace Reynaldo Morales said operations will continue in the 21 different sectors of the capital city in order to reduce the high rate of delinquencies that occur daily in our country. (TVN) [/QUOTE]IMHO, this isn't too much of a big deal. I'm hopeful the law will be overturned but short term things seem to be OK. The girls get to the Veneto and Habanos much earlier and I've heard a rumor that Le Palace is opening at 7pm instead of 9pm. Long term we'll have to see if it keeps girls away but right now there are more girls here than anytime I remember in the 7 years that I've lived here.

The worst part as far as the chicas are concerned are the raids. Be it for Alcohol or noise violations, if the Colombians are there at the time of the raids, they are going to be subject to questioning by the cops and possibley detention. Just the threat of a raid keeps most of the girls at home for the weekend. Also, as far as us tourists are concerned who in the hell wants to go there for vacation not drink when we want and then the clubs we are at be raided and possibley taken to jail for. Did I read that right " Disrespect to authorities". Come on.

I was detained once for 8 hours because I didn't have my passport on me when they raided Habanos, and the girl I was with spent 5 days in Jail while they sorted everything from the raid out.

They usually do these raids or pass these laws make a big deal about it in the beggining and then things lighten up but they are become more frequent and harsher each time.

Good job Panama way to take a great party place and turn it into a nighmare. DONE with it there.

[QUOTE=Mfins; 1222156]The worst part as far as the chicas are concerned are the raids. Be it for Alcohol or noise violations, if the Colombians are there at the time of the raids, they are going to be subject to questioning by the cops and possibley detention. Just the threat of a raid keeps most of the girls at home for the weekend. Also, as far as us tourists are concerned who in the hell wants to go there for vacation not drink when we want and then the clubs we are at be raided and possibley taken to jail for. Did I read that right " Disrespect to authorities". Come on.

I was detained once for 8 hours because I didn't have my passport on me when they raided Habanos, and the girl I was with spent 5 days in Jail while they sorted everything from the raid out.

They usually do these raids or pass these laws make a big deal about it in the beggining and then things lighten up but they are become more frequent and harsher each time.

Good job Panama way to take a great party place and turn it into a nighmare. DONE with it there.[/QUOTE]As far as I know the people that were arrested weren't arrested merely for being in the place after it was supposed to be closed, they gave the police a hard time about having to leave. There hasn't been a chica raid since June to my knowledge and the places are overflowing with them. I live here so it's a little different and I can see where someone who is a tourist and has a choice of where to go may want to avoid PTY with this latest development. I have however found the new closing time to be an aid in negotiating TLN deals. I think there is a fair chance they may rescind this law down the line, they've passed quite a few things here without thinking them through and then put it back to normal later.

As for the passport checking hassle, I'm of a mixed mind, I got stuck once too for a few hours. It is pretty much common knowledge that you have to have your passport or accepted copy with you at all time, and the checkpoints and I'd checks keeps a fair amount of Colombian and foreign criminals away from Panama where they get hassled.