Discover your cocktail destiny with tarot cards at Panama City’s newest speakeasy
Sofitel Legend recently opened its first hotel in North and Central America. The luxurious 159-room property is located in Casco Viejo, which is Panama City’s historic district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was already a popular destination for admirers of the nation’s elaborate architectural heritage because it was renovated from a storied, century-old social club. With the official opening of Arcano, a top-floor speakeasy focused on rum, it now pledges to continue to beckon cocktail connoisseurs.
Before you can even locate the entrance to the private area, which is hidden behind a library shelf, Food & Wine notes that you’ll need a unique passcode that can only be acquired by sending a WhatsApp message to the hotel’s number, 6436-3438. On the other side, awaits a bar that offers over 50 different types of rum, ranging from rare, local selections in Panama, to exotic options as far as Fiji. Rum lovers will have a blast trying to create the perfect combination of drinks.
The drinks list at this speakeasy is exceptional, with innovative and concise options that are sure to impress. Among the standout cocktails are Le Diable, which features Saril syrup and vermouth mixed with a sherry-cask-aged local rum called Ron Abuelo Oloroso, and Le Bateleur, a blend of scotch with a butterfly pea syrup that changes color.
If decision-making isn’t your forte, don’t worry. Arcano has a team of amazing mixologists who also happen to be skilled tarot card readers. When you ask for a drink recommendation, they’ll consult with the cards to see what they have in store for you.
The art deco-inspired space is a stylish convergence of copper sconces lining the walls and geometric patterns, and due to Arcano’s strict no-photo policy, there are no photos allowed at this speakeasy.
Downstairs, however, there are numerous photographs depicting the hotel’s enormous guest rooms. Suites provide balconies with views of the Gulf of Panama and the dazzling skyline of Panama City. Nightly rates begin at $300.
Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of its developments. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all. Evie can be reached at evieblanco@detourxp.com.
This story was originally published June 5, 2023 at 12:27 PM with the headline "Discover your cocktail destiny with tarot cards at Panama City’s newest speakeasy."