Meeting Mark and Phil in the Cat & Fiddle Pub in Sanur Bali

Southern Bali has a number of foreign consulates located primarily in Sanur and Denpasar. Anyone who has visited embassies and consulates knows what dull sterile places they are.

The one exception to this rule was the British consulate in Sanur which was located in the Cat & Fiddle Pub on Jl. Mertasari. I almost couldn’t believe it when somebody told me that, ‘too good to be true’ I thought.

Visiting the place many months ago I met the Honorary British Consul, Mark Wilson and his brother Phil.

Checking in with them again I found that the Cat & Fiddle itself and the British Consulate have moved. The new address for the Cat & Fiddle is Jl. Camara #36 close to the Sanur Beach Hotel. (0361) 282218

The consulate has moved across the Bypass in Sanur. I don’t have the current address handy but call and you’ll find out or come to the pub.

When I arrived at the new Cat & Fiddle Mark and Phil were sitting around the bar and I got chatting with them. They told me that the British Embassy in Jakarta had directed him to move the consulate away from the pub for security reasons. The American and Australian Consulates are like fortresses and even though the pub didn’t seem busy it was an easy target for a terrorist.

The new location of the pub means a lot more walk up traffic so hopefully business will pick up.

While I was sitting at the bar Mark and Phil’s lunch arrived, Mark going for the lamb and cheese salad and Phil the chicken pie and chips. Hailing from Burnley in Lancashire they still retain a taste for the traditional foods. Mark’s salad is on the menu as ‘ham and cheese salad’ but he told me I could have slices of roast lamb today if I wanted. I did and it was great with lettuce, tomato, cheese, beetroot and boiled potatoes. This was helped along by a couple of cold Guinesses.

We chatted about English football and I didn’t realize the county of Lancashire had such a history with many great teams of past a present. I’m a Londoner so kept that part of my identity in the background although I did admit to being an Arsenal fan.

After Mark left for work Phil and I chatted and he told me was working out near Sukawati renting villas for Bali Masari Villas

After living in Jakarta for many years Phil made Bali his home 3 years ago.

The Irish music night is Tuesday and starts at 8pm. I attended several months ago and it’s a good time. For me it was so much more enjoyable visiting a pub and sipping a beer with the ‘main man’ than lining up behind a bullet proof glass counter.

If you are staying in Sanur check out the Cat & Fiddle.

British Consulate Bali
Tel: (0361) 270601 Fax: (0361) 287804
email: bcbali@dps.centrin.net.id
Office Hours: 0830-1230 Monday to Friday