El Aleph Disco Bar in Panajachel

It's another Saturday night in Panajachel, and the energy crackles on the sidewalks and streets as tourists and locals are drawn to the rhythm of the music and bright lights at El Aleph in the zona viva.

People from around the world, from Guatemala City and Antigua, and from around the lake show up to enjoy one of the town's liveliest dance floors at night or to enjoy a cold beer in the day.

El Aleph, owned and run by Lorenzo and Alessandra, is one of Pana's classic places to party. Open since November, 1997, it has remained one of the town's focal points for partying, dancing and drinking ever since.

What's the Point?

The word "aleph" has several meanings, but the one that applies here is a single point that contains all others, or at which all others meet. For example, the variety of music includes everything from regueton, merengue and electronic, to salsa and deranguense.
DJ Dennis mixes the play list like a true pro, and things really take off on weekends and holidays, when there may be live music.

Glittering lights, flashing colors and other special effects add a sense of the surreal to the atmosphere. The club is just the right size, not so big that you get lost in the crowd but instead feel like you're part of the action.

El Aleph's beer and drink specials are another attraction for tourists and locals of all ages. They have some of the best prices on cubetazos (buckets of ice with five or more bottles of beer), and shots of tequila or other liquors are another way to jump-start the night.

There's cable TV at the long bar in back, a good place to relax in the afternoon before the crowd shows up and the house starts rockin'.

Like most discos in Pana's zona viva, the action at El Aleph begins after 9 PM. Next time you're in Panajachel, drop in and see what you've been missing. One thing you can be sure of is that you will be back for more.

Where: Calle de Los Arboles, near Avenida Principal