Seeing double at the Moat

PANAMA. If you happen to drop by the new in spot for lounge lovers, Moat, and glancing at the bar think you are seeing double, it’s not the drinks, it’s the juggling staff.

Two of the bartenders are juggling not only drinks but bottles. One of them, Victor Rios (left), a native Colombian was the Panamanian bartender’s juggling champion and along with compatriot Franco Vallesta (right) represented Panama at the world juggling and cocktail mixing championships in Finland last year. If you arrive early at Moat (which in Panama means before 10.30 p.m.), you will find Victor and Franco practicing their skills with bottles flying continuously above the bar, but a quick nod brings them back to business mixing their exotic selections to smooth away those work day stresses.

Moat is adjacent to the Arrocha Pharmacy, just off Via Espana, near the Panama Hotel. How else to explain the location when, like most Panamanians, not even the wait staff know the name of the street? But beware it is now a one way thoroughfare. The ambience is modern and soft background music allows you to carry on a conversation, without having to scream, and cleverly designed alcoves allow you to separate yourself from the crowd, when arranging a tryst or a party celebration.

There is a partly covered patio for star gazing, and even a mini pool. Sure to become popular with the yeye crowd. Oh, and by the way, they serve food including gourmet mini sushis, perfect adjuncts to the concoctions prepared by the jugglers.