I don't think I've ever been to another bar where you could get so drunk, so fast, and hardly spend any money. The teas are slightly smaller and $1.25 more than they were 15 years ago, but still a great value. You can't even get drunk in Mexico as cheap as you can in Chico, and Panamas makes drunk people like 6 year old Chinese kids make Nikes.
Review Source:Went with some friends to enjoy a night out on the town :) The staff were friendly and had a large drink selection. Didn't have a problem finding a place to sit and hang out, though on a busier night I feel it would be much more troublesome. The drinks were strong but still maintained a good flavor. I will be coming back here next time we visit Chico.
Review Source:I love Panamas!!! The teas are delicious & STRONG! And an unbeatable great price. There are so many different flavors to choose from it's like Baskin Robbins for adults. You are sure to find something you love. The food here is also really good! They have lots of options of burgers, wraps, salads. Yum. Nothing better than a Panamas tea anytime of day!
Review Source:Some people are skeptical about bar food...fear no more. Panama Bar and Cafe has such a fun menu. They have 31 flavors of alcoholic tea's and burgers. Depending on what day of the month it is, that is their special. They have some of the best burgers I have ever had. Their burgers are very creative. Some have chips, grilled pineapple and so much more. I turned 21 almost a year ago, I am not a big drinker but I really enjoy their teas. One is plenty, trust me! They also have some of the best chicken wings I have ever had. The service has always been good. I work downtown and always recommend Panama to people who ask where to go for lunch or dinner. Don't be scared by the way it looks, it is good and the people are nice.
Review Source:Started my college drinking days in that bar! Â Many of my close and not close friends came from drinking the teas there and playing 1-4. 24 and golf, both dice games. Â I have to say when I go back now the drinks are not as good cheaper mixers and not as strong. Â But the memorize I have are the best of my life!
Review Source:Unfortunately Panama Bar & Cafe was busted and convicted on several charges last year for having installed cameras in the restrooms of their establishment. I will never go there again. It was all the news and also in the Chico ER newspaper if anyone needs to verify this info. How comfortable are you being filmed in this manner?
Yes, they do have excellent Long Island Ice Teas in a wide variety of flavors.
I went Chico bar hopping for the first time ever last night, as a mid twenty something! I didn't buy one drink so I was sober my entire experience here.
I was amazed at how many sequins were being paraded by the girls and how much cologne stinged the air by the guys. Lots of douche-bros based on overheard conversations. But what else can you expect from a bar?
I had a class at night for a few semesters while living in Chico and our habit was to walk down to Panama's and get a Long Island and a sandwich and talk about the class.
   Many nights instead of diligently heading back to class after the break, we would continue to imbibe multiple Long Islands which would lead to missing all classes the next day.... what a cycle.
  This place has great sandwiches, sooo many Long Island flavors - its definitely worth checking out.
Panamas is super famous for the iced teas - honestly, Ive had better... maybe its because i went on an off night and there was only one bartender, but eh... ill definitely have to give it another shot.
Other than that, it's a nice place to go. If you are heading to the beach or the U Bar it's a chill spot to step into and a nice medium between dancing your brains out and playing a nice game of pool.
I like this place, it's cool, it's fun and they have so many teas on the menu you'll have no problem getting something delicious. Enjoy!
Yes it's all right.
Except that, now that it is connected to the Beach and U-bar... they doesn't accept passeport anymore.. what is not very allowed / fare / logical.
Foreign student aren't allowed anymore except on thursdays.
The good think about Panama café is there tea-cocktail which are good. My favourite being Long Island!
The back-yard dancing area is nice with a 2nd bar, the music depends on the night... but it's usually all-right.
This place sort of sucks.
It's crowded as heck on a weekend, which makes everything sweaty and icky feeling. My teas were super watered down and tasted like I was just drinking ice water.
Dance floor was so loud and crowded it made me nauseous. Plus, there's the whole bathroom scandal...
Why bother?
I love Panamas. Â They have great food and an awesome staff that always makes sure that you drink is full. Â Sometimes they play some weird tunes and have a dj out back but that is fine with me. Â You can typicall find seating unless you show up pretty late in the night.
The bartenders here really take care of you which makes this one of my favorite places to go. Â They serve teas for very cheap and also have reasonably priced beers. Â If you are going anywhere downtown make sure to stop by Panamas!
So the sign out front says they have 31 burgers and 31 teas. Wow how does Peet's sell any tea with such a compelling offer so close by?
Well I'm not sure what really happened when I got inside. I don't quite know what type of tea I ordered but it was some good stuff. Just what I needed. Atmosphere was pretty relaxed. You could go to University for a few teasers then come here for the heavy hitters, or just come here to take care of drinking what you need.
Food looked good. I didn't have any, as I recall.
I'll be back.
I have landed in the mother land and gotten bombed for less than twenty bucks. I have found a new home.
Cheap heavy handed drinks, you are the cornerstone of this fine establishment. Come here to drink heavily, to drink heavily, and to drink heavily. This is a place that knows what it is good at and makes no excuses or qualms about it. Â I think they make food here but honestly I have never bothered to find out, or rather do not remember it.
Chico, Califnoria you really are one hell of a destination.
Jules: "Hamburgers! The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast. What kind of hamburgers?"
Brett: "Ch-cheeseburgers."
Jules: "No, no no, where'd you get 'em? McDonald's? Wendy's? Jack in the Box? Where?"
Brett: "Big Kahuna Burger."
Jules: "Big Kahuna Burger. That's that Hawaiian burger joint. I hear they got some tasty burgers. I ain't never had one myself. How are they?"
Ahh, maybe Brett's fate would have been altered if he went for Panama Bar's Kahuna burger instead. He might have enjoyed one of their tasty Long Island Ice-teas as well.
On my trip to Chico, Ca., my girlfriend brought me to the Panama Bar near the college campus there and I was in for a treat. The setting was quite simple: five or six tables scattered here and there, a bar with eight to ten stools, and of course a giant juke box. The lights were dim, but in a relaxing way.
I flipped through the threefold menu and what do I see? A long list of sandwiches and gourmet burgers. Ranging from the nacho burger to the Fatty Bo Batty, there were a dozen type of burgers (which you can also substitute for a chicken breast) that you could choose from. What popped up in front? The Kahuna burger. Yes, a third pound of beef, lettuce, tomato, a slice of ham, teriyaki sauce, and - of course - two rings of pineapple. Pinned between a precisely cut bun, it was a true delight. I paired with with the Orange Julius drink and pleasantly enjoyed the night.
Now if only I could get myself a pack of Red Apples.
I'll definitely go back if I'm ever in Chico again.
I love Panamas, day & night.
I frequently head here on weekends, the teas are not just delicious. They're CHEAP, big and strong. Recipe for success if ya ask me.
My favorite teas are the Jamaican and the Orange Julius.
Tip your bartender well! Â They're always friendly and fast.
Yesterday we decided to head in during the day and try one of the burgers. MmmmMmmmMmmm. Really great food!
The burrito burger was wrapped in a tortilla instead of a bun, and was surprisingly really great. The turkey avacado melt was also excellent.
Really tasty garlic fries & onion rings, and each burger had a nice heaping pile of them.
Also, the side salad was a very generous portion, nothing like the tiny ones you get at the Bear.
The great lunch menu just makes me love Panamas even more.
Decided to have dinner here with my boyfriend the other night, which was a different experience that just going for Tea's and dancing!
Both of our meals were really good! I had a club sandwich and my boyfriend had the turkey avacado melt I believe. You wouldn't expect the food to be that good because its just a bar but try it out! You won't be dissappointed.
I've also had a quesadilla and mozzerlla sticks from here that were bomb!
Best teas: TAHITIAN AND MIAMI
The only place in town where you can get smashed on less than $10 a night! Â Oh, it serves food? Whatev's, I only go for the awesome alcohol. Â I've never had to spend more than $3.50 for a tea, and it is a giant glass of delicious alcohol... lots of sweet ones for me, since I'm kinda a pansy. Â And okay, sometimes I need three to really get me going, but that's me and my German liver.
This is the place you go to pregame it if you know you're ending up somewhere else for the night. Â And the bartenders are amazing. Â Yeah, it's packed, and the jukebox in the front means you probably listen to a bunch of lame songs chosen by drunkards, but just head to the back with the DJ and stop griping. Â We got personalized waitress for our drinks before 8 on Halloween. Â The bathrooms are weird, but not unsanitary. Â And there aren't a lot of them, but welcome to a bar.
For the money I spent, the fun I had, and the lack of vomit on my shoes: 5 stars!
Tea, Tea, Tea!!!! So good, but you probably won't remember the end of the night. Especially if you have the terminator tea. There is definitely a tea for everyone. The list is so massive. Â I haven't eaten there but I probably should have because the teas would have had less of an effect.
To many teas, to little time!!!
This place is dangerous in an oh so good way.
The only reason I go here is for the teas. I only allow myself 1-2 and it has to be at the beginning of the night. I also must have eaten a large dinner or else I may die cause they are so strong. All the flavors are serious. I think the Orange Julius is the best but everyone finds the one they like the most.
Prepare yourself for sardine-like surroundings, but the bartenders move pretty fast. Minus one star for the bathrooms situation. In no case should a bar only have one to two stalls for men and women to share.
Panama's is the place to go if you want a cheap and STRONG drink! And since they have a jukebox, you can pick the music...but then again you are also subjected to other people's tastes in music (which I'm sure we can all agree might be questionable at times).
But anyhoo! The drinks. The teas are all delicious (well ya some I don't personally like but I could probably tell you someone that I know that loves that particular one). and the drinks are cheap! $3 for a tea!
Gotta love the chico drinking scene.
And for all of you smokers out there.....there's a back patio where you smoke.
I was stuck between 4 and 5 stars for this place. I first concluded that only 5 was appropriate, then inched back towards 4 upon recalling memories of pathetic drunks wailing along to Sweet Home Alabama for the 173rd time in the front room. But you know, fuck it. Panama's is 5-star now that I am too far away to visit it regularly.
+ Friendly employees; ones who remember you, and don't bitch at you for being the last group there before closing. Plus they have one particularly smokin' chick working the back bar some evenings.
+ If you get sick of aforementioned wailing drunks at the front bar, you can join the far superior back bar crowd. The techno on Saturdays is usually quite danceable, and on a few occasions I've seen some special surprises like a drumline or spontaneous breakdance circle. Good spirits abound. (Perhaps some partially influenced by the signature teas.) I should also confess that I am guilty of ogling my fair share of foxy ladies in Panama's patio; I mean, it's practically a convergence of all my fellow Hott Women w/ Arm Tattoos. Rawr.
+ The teas
- The teas. Mmm, fruity sugary hangover in a cup! Once you pass two, you're almost guaranteed one ending up in your(/someone's) toilet.
+ Fun times playing dice games on one of many available tables
+ Carpeting. Carpeting? I don't know why, but I like it. Homey feel, perhaps. Plus it suddenly becomes a lot less awkwardly noticeable when you spill something (such as an Orange Julius tea) all over it.
- Of course, the bathrooms. The wait for the bathrooms. Whatever; I've actually had plenty of good conversations with strangers while waiting.
Probably the best bar in Chico....They have a ton of different yummy fruity drinks that are all pretty cheap I think like $4-6 for each one. Â They play pretty good music in the back but it doesn't seem like many people dance...wtf?
Waaaay better AND more hoppin than Rileys. This is THE place in Chico.
My favorite bar in Chico. This is the place. Oh how this is the place.
Its been said a milion times, but im throwing my hat into the ring as well, the teas are fuckin' fantastic. I had friends from other colleges visit and while watching their drinks being poured, they straight out started laughing. $3, and they are watching their huge plastic cup get filled PAST halfway with booze. Absurd? Fantastic? Beautiful? All of these things. All of these things.
Odds and Ends: They also have shots and a solid beer selection, and believe it or not, their kitchen turns out some really good food until the bar rush hits. The bar tenders here are great and they DEFINITELY remember if you are a good tipper, which i always appreciate. The back patio is nice, and reggae night is always fun. Solid juke box, as well... but alot of oldies means you are going to probably hear nothing but overplayed songs from your youth, but oh well. If you dont like it, feed it a buck and change the vibe.
The only major problem with Panamas, and its a deal stopper with many girls I know, is the bathroom situation. I hope you dont mind running across the street, drunk, to go to into Woodstocks. I heard 'Stocks gets angry at the people doing this, but i never seemed to have a problem... and really, considering how mind boggling long the line takes at Panamas, you dont have much of an option.
But ya, this is the bar i miss most in Chico, and I always make sure to stop by when im in town.
Hey lets go get some teas at Panama! My response was no way, not sipping down early grey in this Chico heat. Well no early grey awaited us, more Long Islands and many variations of them. Served in giant plastic glasses with huge straws. You can pick from a variety of different teas. All of which are brightly colored and serve the same function: getting you drunk.
And for those who have spent time in Chico getting drunk and doing it cheap are deeply cherished town virtues. No science to picking one of the 15+ teas, although the Orange Julius tasted good enough for me to slurp down three. And promptly pass out in Bidwell Park.
HI guys-
I am a bartender at this little bar that you love so much. Just wanted to thank you for the reviews, and keep comin and seein us, we love your business. By the way, some of the info above is incorrect. We do have outdoor seating, we dont take reservations, we do have take out, and we are wheelchair accessible. :)
TEAS.... and many choices...
I miss college and I miss Chico.
Panama was definitely a great spot on Thursday since they had/have their $3 bucks teas.
I like the one with raspberry and cream however once  since I knew the bartender he made me one with strawberry and cream and it was YUM!
I am light weight and don't tolerate alcohol very well so the end  of the night wasn't that great....
I also love their food too. Pretty good for a bar/restaurant.
Will go back again and again.
My ECON and FIN professors and classmates used to meet after finals :) Great memories!!
Who wants a big ass long island iced tea?
I DO I DO!!!
Who wants to pay like $3.00 for said iced tea???
I DO I DO
Who wants to get rally smashed off of 2 iced teas????
I DO I DO I DO
This place is amazing...my ALL TIME FAVORITE PLACE IN CHICO!!
I keep coming back again and again....I love it.
There are 30 something Long Island Ice Tea flavors to choose from....like razzmataz to the Texas (Which only has more booze). You are guaranteed to get hammered, and they will sneak up on you.
On top of that, the food is rally really good too!! I always go with the club, never let's me down. The fries are to die for....my mouth is watering right now actually.
As everyone else has said, dozens of teas that all taste the same (especially after the fourth+ one), cheap, decent music.
Wacky crowd on Saturdays, way too crowded in the back room. Â
If you go on a Saturday or otherwise busy night order up front because there's a 30 patrons to 1 bartender ratio in the back room usually. Â You could literally order, then get in line again immediately and finish your drink before you get to the front of the line. Â Totally uncalled for in Chico.
Best Nights: Thursday (80's Night! & no cover (unlike LaSalles) and Friday (Request night!)
Saturdays are too crowded to really enjoy the atmosphere and back room...
The palm fans at the main bar are amusing and useless.
The Teas are cheap and fantastically delicious.
There is always some cheap deal, whether you want shots or somethin super sweet for your sweety, you'll get good and wasted at Panamas...
I like to sing PAANAAMAAAAS, PANAAMAA-HA-Has super loud as I'm walking down the street before I come inside. It gets the crowd pumped up.
Oohhhh... I almost forgot about this place!
2 words: Texas Teas!
Yikes... it had 3 different liqours in it ... and at $2.50 a pop??? Off to Hammered City yo! Tuesday nights were 2-fer-Tuesday Texas Teas I think or maybe it was Thursday... hmm?? What ever I just remember 5 bones and you were good to go!
This is where we would start our nights off.(and sometimes never leave)... and using golf lingo... "Tea" off and never make it to the back 9. We knew it was going to be an ugly night if we started here.
If you could walk away after drinking 2-3 of these Teas you were a champ my friend. Most likely black outs occured after the 4th.
Just got the heebie jeebies thinking about this.
5 stars just for the drunk factor.
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