Bars of Barretto: It Doesn’t Matter

“John, where do you like to hang out in Barretto?” Me: It Doesn’t Matter. “Well, fuck you then if you don’t want to tell me!”

This is a relatively new bar in town, less than a year old. In its previous iteration it was named T-Rose and from what I’ve been told was a pretty raunchy girly bar. No more, this is a straight-up neighborhood pub-style place now. The two owners, an Aussie and a Yank, are long-term local expats and I’d say a majority of the customers are their personal friends. One or both are always on hand to greet and welcome you to their bar, and there is just a comfortable “at home” vibe when you are their guest.

I don’t spend much time inside the bar, but it has been remodeled and redecorated. Features two pool tables now and comfortable couch-like seating around the walls
Sorry, hon. Not my type.
They also have a team in the dart league.
This is my preferred seating area–outside where I can watch life slowly passing me by as I sip my beer.
Cliff, the Aussie owner, and his girl, Ashley, who also manages the bar.
My friend the peanut vendor (on the right) is back to work after a recent illness. The other guy is selling viagra. No thanks, I don’t buy my drugs on the street. Well, not since I was a teenager...
And of course, my favorite waitress and drinking companion, Roan.

I always enjoy my time here. Usually, the laughs come easy. This actually happened (again) last night. I get a message from the 23-year-old and the following conversation ensued:

Her: Hi
Me: Hello
Her: What are you doing?
Me. Drinking beer.
Her: Where?
Me: It doesn't matter.
Her: Why?
Me. I don't know.

Okay, so I’m easily amused. Bottom line is that It Doesn’t Matter is a well-run bar that treats you more like a friend than a customer. That’s what makes it one of my favorites.

Here are the rankings thus far:

  1. It Doesn’t Matter
  2. Alley Cats
  3. Blue Butterfly
  4. Out Back Billabong
  5. Dynamite Dick’s
  6. Hideaway
  7. Rosies
  8. Queen Victoria
  9. MacArthur’s
  10. Redz Pub
  11. Whiskey Girl

5 thoughts on “Bars of Barretto: It Doesn’t Matter

  1. Again with the foreign ownership that shouldn’t be possible. Creative paperwork behind the scenes, I gather. These guys never get any hassles from immigration?

    Anyway, It Doesn’t Matter looks to be a nice hangout.

  2. Well, perhaps I should have said leaseholder instead of owner. I honestly don’t know the rules on starting a business, but the usual workaround is to put it in the name of a Filipino, usually a spouse. As for immigration, I know you can’t work on a tourist visa but I’m guessing that is not their status. They probably have a marriage visa or retirement visa.

  3. My intention when I moved here was to go that route. Made a trip to Manila to apply directly with the Philippine Retirement Authority. Submitted my paperwork and they kept finding new hoops for me to jump through. On day 2, they told me my U.S. government pension statement issued by OPM and on government letterhead, would have to be apostilled at the US Embassy. That would mean making another appointment and another trip to Manila. I never went back.

    I can renew the tourist visa every 60 days at the local immigration office. Costs about $60 each time. I have to leave the country every three years and then the clock resets. So it is pretty easy. I’ll still probably do the retirement visa at some point, but I’ll use a “fixer” to do all the leg work.

  4. Pingback: Vaya con Dios | Long Time Gone

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