UPDATE: I visited Whiskey Girl last night (a Tuesday a little before 6 p.m.), and things have taken a real change for the better. There’s new management and ownership, for one thing. The bar features some dancers now, too. In fact, they will be hosting this SOB this weekend. Almost everything I complained about in the post below has been rectified. The girls were attentive and friendly; several joined me at my table. No one hassled me for a drink, though, and I only bought lady drinks for my “favorite” and my waitress. The music was classic rock and played at a volume that allowed conversation. I wouldn’t rate the beauty of the girls as better than average overall, but there were a couple of cuties. My favorite is no beauty queen at forty years old, but she has a very nice personality and is good company. That is what appeals to me. It just goes to show that I bar I had ranked in last place at one point is now ranked much higher. Good job to all involved.

Whiskey Girl is one of the newer bars in town. I visited once when it first opened, saw that it was just a typical juicy bar, and never returned. Until last night. I’d finished darts a little earlier than normal, so I figured I’d pop in to do a quick review for my Bars of Barretto series. I was the only customer, and it was one beer and out for me.

Only about five gals working, and none of them caught my eye as being particularly attractive. On the plus side, there was no “buy me a drink” pressure, but on the other hand, I might have enjoyed a little company. Normally, a girl will at least sit down nearby so you can chat if you want, but not last night. One girl did ask me if I wanted to play billiards, I said not tonight, and she walked away.

The music was blaring, almost to the point of being painful. What was painful was the Eminem rap music. I’m not sure what crowd there are going for in this bar, but the demographics of the Barretto expats (basically old white guys) make me think this would not be their preferred playlist. Granted, I didn’t ask that the volume be lower, ed or the selections be altered, so that’s on me, I suppose.

Meanwhile, at the bar:

There was one pleasant surprise, though, my beer was only 55 pesos. That is the lowest price I’ve seen anywhere in town. Hell, even Cheap Charlies charges 60.

Anyway, I’d say the bar has potential, but it appears to be poorly managed at best. If you are going to be a juicy bar, get some attractive girls who are also friendly. If you want to be a hangout for people who like cheap beer and pool, promote those aspects. When I left Whiskey Girl last night, I went next door to the Out Back bar–it was packed with pool players. Same thing with the music; tailor it to the customer’s tastes and turn down the volume. A talented acoustic guitar player might work too.

Absent some major operational changes; I doubt I will be returning to Whiskey Girl anytime soon.

UPDATED RANKINGS:

1. It Doesn’t Matter
2. Hideaway
3. Snackbar
4. Cheap Charlies
5. Wet Spot
6. Mango’s Beach Bar
7. Alley Cats
8. The Green Room
9. Bar Barretto
10. Blue Butterfly
11. Dynamite Dick’s
12. Mugshots
13. Alaska Club
14. Hot Zone
15. Queen Victoria
16. Whiskey Girl
17. Adam’s
18. BarCelona
19. Voodoo
20. Rock Lobster
21. Outback
22. Rosie’s
23. Annex
24. Bottoms Up
25. Palm Tree
26. Thumbstar
27. MacArthur’s
28. Redz Pub
29. Chill

The current rankings:

1. Out Back Billabong
2. Dynamite Dick’s
3. Queen Victoria
4. Hideaway
5. Redz Pub
6. Whiskey Girl