I set out in search of Bar Outrigger in Dona Paula on Independence Day, like any self-respecting Goan who views holidays as personal challenges to eat and drink well. Now, I’ve tried this before, but Google Maps starts to get nervous because the place is so far away. Today, however, I was blessed with daylight, and as it turns out, it’s not that hard to find—just a 5 minutes walk from the parking zone, albeit through a tiny lane flanked by little cottages.
The bar is right next to a charming little chapel that makes you want to sing hymns while you’re holding a gin cocktail (I tried to resist, but it wasn’t enough). In the afternoon, it offers an enviable sea view—rain dancing off the water like a Bollywood dance sequence filmed during a monsoon.
Come nighttime, though, the view is less “sparkling ocean” and more “impenetrable inky abyss.” But if you’re sipping the right beverage, it doesn’t matter if you can’t see the sea. The interior decor is pure fantasy about the sea. Hardwood floors, long ropes that wrap around posts, and marine-style detailing make you think a pirate might come in and order a mojito. However, let’s be honest: you don’t come to Bar Outrigger for the bishop’s gambit or the ropework. You come for the cocktails. With a seafaring theme and a bar that practically smells of molasses and mischief, Outrigger lives by one creed—it’s in rum we trust.
Although the bar focuses primarily on rum, true to our contrarian spirit, we ventured to gin territory with a Punk’s Not Dead and a classic dry martini, demonstrating that Outrigger’s cocktail repertoire extends well beyond rum. I started with Punk’s Not Dead, a gorgeous blend of Punk gin, Mastiha honey, and lemon juice that tasted like a debonair spy had served it to me. In fact, it was so good that we ordered it again, this time without ice. Both versions were acceptable. My companion ordered a dry martini—classic, unfussy, and absolutely on point.
In terms of food, we tried the “Bar Bites” menu, starting with better-than-average fries that were best when dunked in the sauces that came with them. The Crispy Korean Style Fried Chicken Sandwich and an unusual, intriguing, and unexpectedly delicious turnip-based dish called Turnip the Bass followed. The latter satisfied, despite being more like a “good solid lunch” than a “life-altering epiphany.” For dessert, we went for a Crepe Suzette which, while not the most flamboyant version I’ve ever encountered, delivered enough orangey warmth to end the meal on a sweet note.
The bartender, who clearly understands that cocktails are an art form, and the manager on duty, who floated around with the kind of charm and attentiveness that makes you feel like you’re in the right place, were both praised for their excellent service. I didn’t catch his name, mostly because I was too busy gazing at the horizon and plotting my second gin.
In terms of the atmosphere, it was just right: there were enough people to make the place lively but not so many that you had to elbow strangers just to order a drink. It was laid-back, unpretentious, and the kind of place you could happily lose a whole afternoon in—particularly if you’re a fan of good drinks and coastal breezes.
Will I be returning? Oh, it’s unquestionable. In point of fact, I have already reserved a seat for Saturday night. Since I still haven’t tried any of the cocktails on that menu, I honestly consider it my patriotic duty to do so. Final verdict: Bar Outrigger isn’t just worth the five-minute walk—it’s worth plotting your entire day around. Stay for the view, the rum or gin, and the smug glow of someone who has just discovered one of Goa’s less-than-best-kept secrets.
