We’ll start here at the intersection of Baloy Road and the National HighwayAnd we’ll head up the highway towards Olongapo CityNot far up the road we encounter our first drinking establishment–Queen Victoria#2 is Johansson’s. Pool, darts, food, and rooms. It’s in the rotation for the Hash On-Home as well.#3 is Rosies. I rarely visit here. No dancers the last time I stopped in, but the waitresses were friendly.#4 is my old dart bar, Alley Hideout, popularly known as “Alley Cats.” A few steps up the alley off the highway.#5 is one of the newer bars in town, Red Bar. Only been a couple of times, but it is nice. Dancers and a nice ambiance.Which brings us to “the Maze”–six bars under one roof.#6 Wet Spot is one of my regular haunts#7 The Green Room is also one of my frequent stops#8, #9, and #10–Alaska, La Oficina, and BarCelona.#11 Sloppy Joe’s is open 24 hours a day. It is on the “shortcut” to town from my house, and I sometimes drop in as I pass by.#12 Hops and Brews Beer Garden is a block up Del Pilar Street off the highway. I don’t come here often, but it is a very nice venue with good food and a relaxed atmosphere—a great place to take a date.#13 Hot Zone is an old-school girly bar. Nice-looking dancersperforming shows (like pole dancing).#14 Bottoms Up. I visit maybe once a year.#15 Voodoo is a small dancing bar.#16 It Doesn’t Matter is right around the corner.#17 John’s Sushi and Steak is a few blocks up the highway. An open-air bar on the third floor. I come here mainly for the food, which is probably the best in town overall.
So, it’s time to cross the highway at Rizal Street and head back in the opposite direction.
This is the beach side of the road. Let’s go!#18 Redz Pub is at the Arizona Resort. I very rarely visit here, mostly because it is on the far side of town for me. #19 is a Hideaway in an alley off the highway near Arizona Resort. I visit on Wednesday and Sunday for my feeding the girls ritual.#20 Dynamite Dick’s is a nice venue we sometimes visit after hikes. That’s the owner, Dick waiting for the morning crowd of beer drinkers to arrive.#21 MacArthur’s is a small bar that I’ve been to once since it opened.#22 Blue Butterfly is another venue we visit for the Hash On-Home#23 Johm’s is a videoke bar. I debated including it, but I’ve heard some expats partake in their offerings, including Baklas (ladyboys or, as I call them, girls with something extra). Not my thing, but I don’t judge. Much.#24 Jumpin’ Jacks is the newest bar in town. I haven’t been yet, but I don’t think they cater to the expat community. Beers are 150 pesos, and lady drinks 700. I hear they transport big spendersinto sample their wares.I mentioned to another bar owner that I probably wouldn’t be welcome there, and he said, you’d be welcome, just not wanted.#25 Mugshots is an excellent venue that I should visit more often. It is laid back and has a nice kitchen.#26 Oasis has only recently opened and is already one of my favorites.#27 Chill bar. Only been once and was put off by the very aggressive lady drink pressure from the girls. I understand that they offer a special massage, though.#28 Annex is a very popular outdoor venue#29 Favorite’s Bar. Haven’t been there yet.#30 Tipsy. Last time I was in this location, it was called Showgirls. I don’t know if it changed owners or just the name.#31 Cheap Charlies is a nice place. I stopped going for personal reasons.#32 There is a bar on the roof of the Central Park Reef Hotel that has the best views in town. I rarely go, though—more of a date place than a drinking hangout.#33 Thumbstar is another venue I don’t visit often. Some like it, others don’t.#34 Rock Lobster Bar at the Mango’s Resort. Mango’s also has a beach bar that I’m more inclined to visit.#35 Palm Tree Resort has a nice bar on the second floor. I haven’t been there in ages, though.#36 Lux is one of the fanciest dancing bars in town. Not sure why I don’t visit more often.#37 Adam’s Sports Bar just never did anything for me. YMMV.#38 Klimaks comedy bar probably should not be on a list of expat bars, but I did visit once, so there you go. Maybe it was the name that made me cum.#39 Whiskey Girl. I’m not a big fan of dancing bars, but I’ve got a couple of favorites here I’ll drop in to see on occasion.#40 Outback Resort. Both bars are nice, but I do enjoy sitting out by the pool.#41 Snackbar is the last stop on the main drag.So, let’s see what’s happening on Baloy (which is technically part of barangay Barretto)#42 Scalliwag’s Bar at the Wild Orchid Resort. I’ve never been to this bar, but since they are serving a Thanksgiving dinner, I have to assume some expats visit.#43 Harley’s is probably the most popular Baloy hangout for expats, especially Brits and Aussies where those weird sports like cricket and footie are featured on large screen TVs. I don’t come often but I always enjoy the vibe here.#44 Blue Rock Resort. I used to stay here as a tourist and enjoyed the bar and the food. Word on the street is that it’s gone way downhill since the scamdemic. #45 Wile Orchid’s Beach Bar is undergoing major renovations. I’m hoping they make this into an actual “beach bar,” which I define as being able to sit and look at the beach from a bar stool. We’ll see.#46 The Viking Resort has a nice pool bar. I’ve only visited here with the Hash, though.#47 Treasure Island is my favorite resort on Baloy. I know expats living on Baloy come here to hangout.How can you blame them for that? I’ll probably be taking Swan here for a date tonight.#48 Lagoon Resort. I used to play for them in dart league.#49 Da Kudo’s. I used to come here sometimes. New owner now and I’m hearing some not so nice things. But, that’s just me.#50 Kokomo’s. The beach bar area is being totally renovated, so I’m not sure what to expect.But in the meantime, I’ll be enjoying the only floating bar in town!#51 Johan’s attracts a good turnout for their pool and dart tourneys.#52 Laharny’z is an actual beach bar. It could be so much better. It appeared on my walk-by that some work was in progress, so perhaps it will be improved soon.#53 McCoy’s. This is also an actual beach bar, and I used to come here semi-regularly. It caters more to a Filipino crowd (i.e., Videoke), but it is still not a bad hangout otherwise.And back to where we started–Baloy Road and the National Highway.
Fifty-three places to grab a beer in our little town.
And you can see them all in less than a 5Kwalk!
Have fun!
Yeah, that’s pretty lame, even by my low standards. Sorry!
Here’s a song for the road:
6 thoughts on ““Where can I grab a beer in Barretto?””
Nice tour of all the bars I’ll have no desire ever to visit. I assume some blog reader will appreciate the information, though, so hats off for the public service.
Oddly enough, I didn’t visit any of them on Saturday. Never even left the house. I’ll post about my day from hell later.
I mean Free The Girls.
The girls aren’t free, but you can negotiate a fair price.
Re: #24. Maybe I am missing some subtlety, but who are they catering to? Prices seem too steep for the locals.
Brian, I’ve been told the owner supports a “high-end” clientele, transporting rich folk in from other locations like SBMA. So yeah, the local market will not be attracted to this expensive venue and the elite won’t have to deal with us lowlifes intruding on their fantasy time.
Nice tour of all the bars I’ll have no desire ever to visit. I assume some blog reader will appreciate the information, though, so hats off for the public service.
Oddly enough, I didn’t visit any of them on Saturday. Never even left the house. I’ll post about my day from hell later.
I mean Free The Girls.
The girls aren’t free, but you can negotiate a fair price.
Re: #24. Maybe I am missing some subtlety, but who are they catering to? Prices seem too steep for the locals.
Brian, I’ve been told the owner supports a “high-end” clientele, transporting rich folk in from other locations like SBMA. So yeah, the local market will not be attracted to this expensive venue and the elite won’t have to deal with us lowlifes intruding on their fantasy time.