TRYING new bars has always been exciting for me since I started travelling around the country. It’s always an adventure as I look forward to lounging, making new friends and establishing connections; just the perfect way to defuse all the tensions I get from my work at the end of the day.
While I usually hop from place to place to enjoy different forms of nightly entertainment from live music to sports, I always go back to places where I’d feel very comfortable.
One of the bars I frequently visit here in Bacolod is a sports bar located at Teng Hwa Building at 6th street Shopping Center. It’s called “Overtime,” a tight nit run place that gives their patrons a homey lounging and viewing experience as they offer comfort food with an array of wine and spirits to a decent price. It’s the perfect place to be when NBA games are live.
Last Saturday, I had a blast when I dropped by at the said place. Two of the owners, the beautiful Arlyn Perez and Michelle Gasataya, joined me at the bar as we talked a little bit about business and politics. It was a light conversation filled with laughter as we helped ourselves with our favorite poison and of course their mouth-watering food. I think that was the magic of their place - it has a homey atmosphere for a local expat like me. And even if I go there alone, which I always do, the place never made me feel like a stranger.
What made the evening more interesting were their other guests at the bar who mingled with us like it was just one big family gathering. The place was full but I was practically able to shake hands and had small talks with everyone as I made new friends with the locals.
Overtime Bar always gives me an experience of the fine life of Bacolod. Not too fancy but quite a classy place and crowd.
I will definitely go back there more often.