THIS two-level wooden level bar standing on stilts, a few meters from the shoreline near the Waterfront Insular Hotel, has been there since 1998.
Purportedly built to cater to guests of this Davao City landmark hotel, it has become a popular place to unwind for locals, as well.
The sprouting of quite a number of restobars, however, has drawn most locals and tourists to the city's downtown area forgetting a charming bar where they can marvel the evening glory of lights illuminated by Samal resorts across the Davao Gulf.
Nonetheless, through the years, Pirata Bar is still anchored on the far end of the Waterfront Insular jetty offering the same service and ambiance minus the midgets who used to be among the bar's waiters.
The invite to a Father's Day dinner event at the Pirata Bar was irresistible. I thought it was a reprieve from the congested city bars. True enough it was and rejuvenating after a lazy Sunday. Brenda Arabe-Ocampo, Waterfront Insular Hotel's marketing communications officer, made sure we had all the food on the buffet table tasted.
The night glistened with chilled beer, cozy lights, and an acoustic band. In between the band's set is the sound of rolling sea waves that was music to the ears.
From afar, Pirata Bar looks like a docked water vessel. It has a second level dining area that can accommodate 40 people. Around 32 diners can be served in the first level.
Brenda said Pirata Bar has evolved from being just a bar that serves liquor and "pulutan" to a restaurant whose specialties include grilled food.
Being in a hotel, one can expect pricey foods on the menu. But for the Adobong Kangkong and Pinakbet lovers, you can feast on your favorites because they only cost P50 per order.
There's no doubt about it, the rustic charm of Pirata Bar has not faded at all. Evidently, it was full house on Fathers' Day. Though I didn't find Captain Hook -- the pirate with a grudge who fancies himself too clever for an impudent imp like Peter Pan, I discovered a serene place for soul searching.
Pirata Bar is open daily except Mondays from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight. If you love Carribean music, you'll enjoy your nighttime booze with reggae, zouk, salsa, calypso, reggaeton and punta.