The Wanderer's Review: Dipolog's Chill-out Spots

Dipolog City isn’t really known for its night life, for sure. It isn’t really known for anything really. Being a guy who’s spent much of his adolescent/teen life away from Dipolog, I was pleasantly surprised at what welcomed my permanent return.

I was bugging my old high school friends to take me out to celebrate my return. After much begging and classic Marky theatrics, they yielded to my request

The following is my top three CHILL SPOTS of Dipolog, and coincidentally, the first bars, my friendsies brought me to.

3^rd “Bar Street” (besides Bianos Pizzeria, near Dipolog BLVD)

Now, if you really want chill, and a zero fuss evening. Then the Jamaican, kalye (street) themed “Bar Street” is the place for you. Drinks are cheap, food is cheap, the crowd is in their casual slip-ons and shorts – no hassle, really. Open air, with small tents, the place reeks of old school “kanto-boy” (street kid) vibe. The music tends to loop, and sometimes drift away from the theme of the place. There isn’t really any definitye sectioning in the place so it would seem like one whole party. Which is not so cool if there are people you don’t want to rub elbows with.  Although there are tables a bit more secluded from the rest, they’re usually filled up early in the night. 

Again, the crowd is usually very chill, and they go there for chill, specifically. That said, you have to think twice I you want to pick up people.

RULES: Don’t go alone or in pairs * Don’t pick up people * Don’t dress fancy

TIPS: Try the BLUE OCEAN... certified killer. lol

For me, 6/10

-----------------------------------------

2^nd “Sights ‘n’ Sounds” (near Dipolog Blvd in front of Blvd Official Marker Plate)

If you’re game to walk up a flight of really steep stairs with weird lighting, then SS is good for you. There’s an AC room and an open air balcony thingy. The bar is pretty complete, and the kitchen is good. It’s also quite chill. There’s a karaoke machine in the AC room, so it’s pretty cool if you just want a no fuss night out with friends. Downstairs are a bunch of “grill” type restos too. So if you ever get major munchies, you won’t have to obliterate your beer food, you just slide down the stairs and order up some really good ‘inasal’ (grilled chicken on skewers).
Bar stools are everywhere and we all know what that means, right? It’s a cruisin’ zone. Yes, If you’re keen enough, you can pick up a couple of cutesies. That is, remember to always double check. Dipolog isn’t like other cities, where quick advances are acceptable. You have to do the eye dance more extensively (and this goes for anywhere in Dipolog).

RULES: Good for any size group or even solo flights * Do extensive flirting before any attempts of picking up someone * dress neat: slippers are fine, shorts are fine but it has to look sharp and/or expensive

TIPS: Order Calamares. Try their Boracay (I know it's such a common drink nowadays, but their version is actually really good). Don't go for the beer tower/table keg, just order a bucket/set of beers instead.

For me, 7.5/10

-----------------------------------------------

1^st “BRB” or less commonly known as, “Balai Resto Bar” (Tomas Claudio St.  near the crossing where the SDA church is at)

It’s a pretty chill place to go to. Perfect for just chugging down some beer or having a round of some cocktail. They have “Payags” or bamboo huts out the back – lots of them where you can just kick back with friends and chill out. The music is pretty inconsistent, but at least the volume is just right.
The tables/huts are actually quite spacious and are good for your basic 6-10 person party. So going solo isn’t really cool. The vibe is very laid back, but the people tend to dress up. I guess this is because of the how it’s a favorite hub for college kids.

RULES:  No solos or pairs * Do extensive flirting before any attempts of picking up someone * dress neat: slippers are fine, shorts are fine but it has to look sharp and/or expensive

TIPS: Try the MILKY WAY! It's a really good drink that sneaks up on you after a few glasses. Steer clear of their SCREWDRIVER.

For me, 7.6/10

***************************

If you know the owners of the places i mentioned, tell them about my review, and drop me a message or just comment below.

If you want me to do a review on a bar you really like, then comment below too!

Kangitngit

*** Kangitngit is Bisaya for darkness, but in this complex dialect it takes on various definitions with such vivid applications as to imagery. This poem of mine which is  a silly attempt at literature seeks to showcase the power of the word and the intricacies of the Bisaya language.

Samtang ginasubay nako kining dalan

Dalan nga ngitngit, dalan nga bala-an

Akong ginapangandoy nga magkita na ta

Maskin lang man sa kangitngit atong kalag mag-abot na

Sa kangingit gikawat akong pahiyom

Sa ngalan sa sapi,sa diyot, sa ilimnon

Ug sa mabugnawong kilid ako gipasagdan

Kangitngit, kahadlok, akong nasudlan

Ug ikaw gahulat sa eskina sa may mangga

Para kanako, nga abi nimo muabot pa

Ug karon akong subayon kining dalana

Padulong kanimo, maskin dili man ta magkita

Dawata akong gugma, kasing-kasing og pagkatawo

Sa kangitngit man lang pasaylo-a ko intawon

Samtang akong pagasubayn kining dalana

Hinaot atong kasingksaing mag-abot na.

TRANSLATION:

As I follow this road,

This dark and holy road,

I yearn that we finally meet.

Even in this nothingness our souls would finally meet.

My smile was stolen in the darkness.

In the name of money, of having, of liquor.

And in that cold damp corner I was left to wait.

Death, fear was what I have entered.

And you wait there at the curb, by the mango tree,

For me, whom you thought was still coming.

And now, I follow this path

To you, even though we shall never meet.

Receive my love, my heart, my soul.

Even just in the end, forgive me please.

While I follow this path,

I hope that our hearts finally meet.

Inkmeister's Wanderlust

Wanderlust
: From Zamboanga to Ipil, Ipil to Dipolog, Dipolog to Dumaguete, Dumaguete to Cebu

I love the road; the early morning scents of dewy leaves and blooming flowers that line the cement laden trails of our forefathers.

I love the how every town is different; the busy streets of colorful Vitali in the outskirts of Zamboanga to the quiet - almost solemn amour of ghostly Santander in Cebu Island.
I love the different faces that line the pavement; the bejeweled eyes of a little Muslim Girl framed under her beaded pink scarf, the effervescent smile of the Cebuano boy as he playfully waves his hand to us passing nomads.
I love the road in all it's colors and in all it's tones - the dreary, the alive, the green and the red...

Wanderlust is a phenomena that does neither good nor bad but is an important rite of passage for every 20 year-old, gearing up for the greatest wanderlust of his life - being an adult.


WHEN ARE YOU GONNA START SUBMITTING TO YOUR WANDERLUST?