PERSONAJES
SEPTIEMBRE DE 2017
Foto: @djtomsawyer
Tom Sawyer:
Electronic Music, Partying,
and Business
Santana, the new bar of Panamanian DJ Tom Sawyer,
seeks to attract people who like to have a good time in good
company, enjoying a drink or cocktail and varied music.
N
ear the late 1990s, Atsuo
Gutiérrez Marengo—the
real name of DJ Tom
Sawyer—was part of the staff of an-
nouncers at a renowned radio station,
despite having a university degree in
accounting, which is not related in
any way to a career in communica-
tions and media. Now in 2017, this
family man and young entrepreneur
has decided to open next September
an establishment named Santana, lo-
cated in front of the park of the same
name in the Old Quarter (Casco An-
tiguo), to continue serving the great
number of tourists and locals who
every day stroll through that area of
the capital city.
Gutiérrez Marengo talks to Casco
Antiguo News and he tells us about
his new proposal for nightlife enter-
tainment and his expectations for
offering a different option to those
who come to his bar.
1. When did you first have the
idea of opening a bar in the Old
Quarter?
Since I was at Calle Uruguay, with
bars The Loft and Pure, somewhere
around 2006, I was already planning
on opening in the Old Quarter, but it
wasn’t until 2012 that I was able to
get a good location. Barlovento was
the first one. I was an event creator
in the Old Quarter in its first wave of
nightlife entertainment, around 2001.
2. What characteristics in the Old
Quarter are ideal for this type of bu-
siness establishment?
This is the tourist area that is the
closest to the city, and its unique shape
gives it a special touch. Here, you can
live, dine, work, relax, and party in just
a few square meters.
3. What is the value proposition
that your establishment will offer the
Old Quarter’s nightlife?
I have always been a believer of
opening new frontiers. For instance,
when Barlovento opened, there was no
other establishment in that street, not
even lighting, and everything was dark.
But when we opened, other establish-
ments took a chance on the area and
gave it an additional boost.
A similar thing happened with Casa
Jaguar: it was a dark, uninteresting
street. And now it is the most visited
street at night. With this new proposal,
we hope to have the same positive im-
pact on the surroundings. There is no-
thing going on right now. We will open
soon, restoration on the park will have
finished, and surely other establish-
ments will join us in helping the area
grow and flourish.
4. What are your expectations re-
garding this new venture?
Offer both locals and foreigners
a piece of Panama. Our food and mi-
xology are focused on what unites us
and belongs to us as Panamanians…
our history in a plate or a drink, so-
mething that simple. Entertainment at
your table, artists, theme nights, and
different events are our objective. We
are Panamanians serving both locals
and tourists.
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