BAR recommendation
Hi, This is my first post here. I'm a Taiwanese who has been living in the Philippines for over five years. I'm someone who loves bar culture. Whenever I travel to a new country, I always try the local bars. There are many great bars in the Philippines, including ones focused on crafting new cocktail experiences, sports and pool bars, atmospheric lounges, and bars ideal for quiet conversations. I'd like to recommend a few bars I've personally visited in the Metro area, but please note that I'm not including pubs or clubs, as I'm not familiar with or fond of them.
Cocktail Bars
a) The Curator Coffee & Cocktails: A bar that serves coffee in the morning and cocktails at night. It has been honored multiple times as one of the top 50 in Asia. In the evening, it transforms into a speakeasy, hidden behind a coffee shop. However, due to its fame, it often feels less like a speakeasy now, often being fully booked with international travelers. It's best for groups of 2-3 people or couples, as the bar only has four seats. Their cocktails are top-notch.
Average price per drink: 550 pesos. No beer or wine, no meals.
Location: 134 Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati.
b) After Hour: A popular bar in QC, known for its outstanding cocktails. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and parking at the front. Suitable for lively groups, but not ideal for individuals.
Average price per drink: 450 pesos, meals available.
Location: 125 Don A. Roces Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila.
c) OTO: Located in a small alley in Makati Población. Don't be afraid to follow the navigation into the alley; that's where the bar is. Every weekend there's either a DJ or live music. The music is a bit loud, but the atmosphere is great, giving a party night feel. Suitable for groups and individuals.
Average price per drink: 450 pesos, meals available.
Location: 5883 Enriquez, Makati, Metro Manila.
d) The Spirits Library: An affordable bar in Makati Población, great for a Friday night. There are weekend DJ performances and special events. The bar, true to its name, resembles a library with a huge bookshelf filled with various spirits. If you become a regular and earn the bartender's approval, you might get access to their VIP room, which offers a quiet and comfortable environment for solo drinking.
Average price per drink: 380 pesos. No meals, special spirits priced as per the bar.
Location: 4963 Guerrero, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila.
e) Other famous cocktail bars I haven't visited and therefore cannot recommend, but worth knowing their names are Run Rabbit Run (Makati), Bar.Flora (QC), and Dr.wine.
Lounge Bars
a) Spritz Makati: A high-end service and atmosphere bar with exquisite decor and a quiet setting. Ideal for those who enjoy the movie-like experience of drinking alone. However, it might not suit those looking for a party night due to higher prices and the expectation for guests to keep their volume down, unless you book the entire place.
Average price per drink: 650 pesos, meals seemingly available but I haven’t tried.
Location: Salcedo Village, Toledo Street, cor L.P. Leviste Street, Makati, 1227 Metro Manila.
b) The Blind Pig: The first speakeasy in the Philippines, located in Makati Legazpi. Following the navigation, you won't see any sign or guidance, just a locked door where you must knock to enter. Inside, it's a very quiet and comfortable bar, suitable for dates in a cozy environment.
Average price per drink: 650 pesos, meals seemingly available.
Location: 227 Salcedo, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1200.
Communicative Bars
a) Bar 10 four: A bar that never advertises but is often full. Its focus is on meeting new people. If you come alone, the bartender will chat with you. Regulars (who often are familiar faces) will also engage in conversation, giving a warm, home-like atmosphere.
Average price per drink: 450 pesos, meals available.
Location: St, Somerset Millenium, 104 Aguirre, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila.
b) Booze & Brews Bar & Café: This is the last one I'm introducing, and it's the bar I co-own with my Filipino girlfriend. We opened on 2023/10/26 and are still in soft opening. We focus on coffee and cocktails, offering hand-brewed coffee with single-origin beans, changing seasonally. Currently, we have beans from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Panama, Kenya, and locally sourced from Mt. Province in the Philippines, used for our espresso. We aim to introduce the diverse flavors of coffee beans, beyond the overly roasted bitter taste of fast-food coffee. At night, our cafe transforms into a cozy bar. Our establishment is a loft house, suitable for individuals and groups. Our cocktails incorporate coffee flavors, creating a unique tasting experience. Our grand opening is on 2024/2/10, with discounts on coffee and cocktails, and other small events. Welcome to try a different experience at our bar.
Average price per drink: 450 pesos, meals available.
Location: 108, Aguirre Building, H.V. Dela Costa, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila.
Lastly, the prices and descriptions are from my personal experience and do not represent the official stance of the bars (except for my own). There are many other bars like LIT MANILA, BANK BAR, THE BACK ROOM, THREE LITTLE PIG, etc., that I haven’t mentioned here. I'll share more when I get a chance.
By the way, if I were to organize a language exchange event at my bar, do you think people would be interested in participating?