Perf chill drinking spot with friends. Try their flavored vodkas, Call Me Maybe & One Night Stand.read more

Friendly staff, affordable drinks and food. Slow service makes it lack one more star.read more

I pride myself on having an excellent sense of direction, especially in Metro Manila. However, when…read morea friend of mine told me we were going to Tago, my inner GPS completely conked out. Tago's name is apt, then, because the bar is completely tago (hidden) somewhere in Cubao! The place itself hosts no gaudy signage. In fact, you'll be hard-pressed to find it if you've never been. Giving directions to tago is a BITCH! But it's absolutely worth it. The bar itself is small, and the outdoor area is narrow. Frequented mostly by jazz musicians and fans, Tago is an intimate little hideaway in Quezon City that's mostly for friends and fans. No annoying young millennials to be seen here, folks! It's all a bunch of old, funny farts who play really excellent music, and the retired hipster in me likes it this way. There's something comfortable about a place that doesn't require you to dress to the nines because you're not there to impress anyone. You're there to watch a fantastic show, and you are always guaranteed a good time. This is because the patrons are passionate about what they do, and when they go on stage, it is immediate the moment the first chord is strummed, or the first drumbeat is banged.

They weren't kidding when they decided to call it Tago Jazz Cafe. First of all, it was pretty…read moredifficult to find. Okay, granted that my friend who brought me there was just guessing directions, it would have taken some guessing regardless. Don't expect outdoor signage or anything fancy to let you know that you have arrived; Tago, after all, exists for the art, not for the attention. It is real music for real music lovers. My visit was an outlier to the more regular patrons who frequent Tago. They are serious jazz enthusiasts, all from a tight-knit community of savants and seasons musicians. All that talent convened in just one tiny place is both intimidating and humbling. I would compare the experience to seeing Julliard-trained talent performing on the street corners of New York City: overflowing talent, yet so understatedly served. On the one hand, I wish there were more places like Tago, or that people knew how to appreciate jazz and jazz bars more. On the other hand, all that attention might mean losing the charm and intimacy that tiny Tago provides its best patrons.

It was such a coincidence that I was at Back to the 90's yesterday and it was apparently--Hashtag:…read moreThrowback Thursday. My friends from Concerned Artists of the Philippines in UP held a back to back gig of two independent bands there last night (Plagpul and KALIS), so I passed by and gave my support. It was my first time in this bar but I already knew about it for quite some time; it's Back to the Future signage along Tomas Morato, corner E. Rodriguez is simply hard to miss. I was curious at first to see what it's like inside Back to the 90's, only to find out that it's actually no different from most bars ideal for gatherings of independent bands and the underground music scene. The only difference with Back to the 90's is practically, its 90's theme. You will definitely see a lot of Throwback posts on their walls because of the framed movie and music posters from the 90's era. Haha! What a virtual way to describe it, but I would rather stick to such description than say nostalgic because I simply did not get the feel. I was born 1991, so I really wasn't able to get a glimpse of how bars then were like. Although, when I asked some of my older friends there, they said that 'yes, this is actually a recreation of a 90's bar.' What I like about it, is it's cozy but rock and roll ambiance that went well with its small, vertical space; comfortable couches are leaned against graffiti walls showcased by dimmed pin lights. They also have a very cute menu placed in an old school CD case where they offer alcoholic beverages and bar dishes like Nacho's, Fries, Buffalo Wings, etc. Although, I wasn't able to have a taste of any because I was a little broke last night (P200.00 per order), and their selections were not really that inviting, the waiter said that their best seller is the Tapsilog. Overall, it was an OK bar for me. I would go here if good bands will be playing but probably not for a usual late night chill or beer nights.

Rapture has come a long way. What started out as a seedy-looking bar along Aurora Blvd. in Cubao…read morehas transformed into a decent venue. With Palawan 1 and 2 folding up and with only Starlites left as an option, Rapture's continued existence is a welcome treat to the Pink community. Rapture is located right in front of Aurora Blvd so it's not too scary. There is a huge signage marking the venue so you'll know you're in the right place. Rapture's interior has been upgraded too. Sure the area is still a bit cramped with tables and chairs arranged quite close to each other. Our waiter almost knocked our drinks down one time too many. The stage where the the talents perform and the jammers sing was also upgraded. Thanks to my friend Abner it now has a beautiful backdrop as opposed to a rather tacky paint and curtain combo it had before. The jokes are okay but nothing new. There are quite a number of people in the stage acting as the night's host so it's kind of a mixed bag. We found some of the jokes quite funny but the others are just meh. I heard they moved the dance floor to the second floor but I wasn't able to check it out. I will the next time we go back so there's that. All in all, Rapture is a viable option to the high-end O-Bar in Ortigas. The patrons aren't too shabby and there are definitely a lot of good-looking guys to oggle. Don't even try doing any hanky-panky inside as they're strict (at least that's what they say). The next time you want to party, catch up with friends over bottles of beer or both, try Rapture. It's not in the same level as O-Bar but I'm pretty sure you'll love it there.

What is a straight woman doing reviewing a gay bar for men? Definitely not as the voice of straight…read morewomen (nor of gay men), but as a spectator of a subculture she utterly loves. The place is very welcoming and it has a spot for anyone who wants a certain kind of night. A comedy fan? Just position yourself near the stage where their beautiful drag queens roast you and your friends. Up for karaoke? Sign up and sing on stage. Just there for drinks and hanging out with friends? Go sit by the back and chat your night away. Want to shake that booty? There is a laser light room just for dancing. Just a quiet, alone, unwinding time? Hang out by the bar. Looking for your next beau? If you're a guy who's into men, just look anywhere, really. PROS: Funny and beautiful drag ladies; NO BATHROOM LINE FOR WOMEN; Safe space for dancing, and doing anything else, TBH; Reasonably priced drinks; Staff is very friendly, service is really prompt; The owner is nice and approachable; Everyone's so friendly! CONS: Room for dancing gets really crowded and hot as the night changes; Long bathroom line for men; Entrance fee; Not the most "sosyal" vibe; Location is a bit scary TL;DR: It's a unicorn hole in the middle of Aurora. Go there because it's a fun place.

Sometimes all you want is to not care about anything and not shell out for lots of beer and food…read more Gypsy makes it easy to do just that. The place is dim, dingy and awash with a dull pink from the bar's lit signages coupled faded fluorescent lighting. Plastic tables and chairs are unmeticulously arranged out front. It looks unpoetically poetic, like a setting in a dark indie film or grunge music video. The place doesn't get very packed, and sometimes you feel like you have it all to yourselves, because even with other people around, there's enough distance between tables to evoke a sense of privacy. The beer is cheap and so is the food, but neither are particularly remarkable. They do the job, and sometimes that's all you want. Gypsy is an unapologetically cheap restobar and that's why I love it. It allows an incredibly simple and easy night out. I highly recommend going here with a big group of good friends, giving up all your cares, and kicking back and relaxing. This place is great for that.

This place truly holds a special place in my heart, not just because of all the good times I've had…read morehere but because of the good food, awesome choices in music and the yummy drink mixes. Five years ago, we used to come here almost every week to get our drink on or to just eat and talk till we run out of stories or get tired. Though that time has passed, we still go every now and then because we miss it and the food! I've brought so many people here to try different kinds of dishes and also that I really like Gypsy Magic, they definitely have me under their spell. What to order: Gypsy Burger, Salisbury Steak, Bulalo Steak, Potato Wedges (great for pica pica), Garlic Shrooms, Nachos & Cheese, Tectonic Plate (my personal favourite!), Chili Cheese Cigars and the Hungarian Platter. And yes, I've tried all of those and more. I can't remember though what the name of my favourite drink is but my guess is Blue Diablo? Ask for the blue drink and decide whether you want it stronger or sweeter.

When it isn't teeming with night owls, Escobar is a pretty steady place to catch up with the…read morebarkada until a certain point in the evening. Then, when the crowds come and their conversation drowns out yours, it can only mean that it's time to get drunk. Beer here is super cheap, cheapest in Expo methinks but they run out quickly. Come late and don't expect anything near cold. Sure you pay a bit over Php 30 for a bottle but when it does arrive its freshly put in the ref or the cooler. May mga rare gems na parang snorlax lang, sobrang last pilsen sa cooler na di napansin panalo! But then we end up drinking Red Horse copiously and doing stupid things we'd be too drunk to remember anyway the next day.

I've been an avid goer of gigs since 2007 and even started my own production company in 2009, but…read morebelieve it or not, I only started frequenting Route 196 in 2014. Of course, I would watch gigs there from time to time, but because I live in Makati and parking can get difficult, I used to get too lazy to go all the way to Katipunan. Since my first gig in April 2014, I'm probably there almost once or twice a week. It even came to a point that I was there four times in one week! Yes, parking can be difficult, but with Mak around, he's sure to find a decent and safe parking spot for you. Once you park, you pay an entrance fee to Ryan, who at times often tease me already. (See? I go there waaaaay too much.) There are times though that entrance is free. Usually for Rockeoke nights, which I've honestly never been to, but come on. Karaoke with a live band backing you up and everyone drunk enough not to judge your horrible singing? Come on. That's got to sound inviting. From time to time, I buy a bottle of scotch that is served to me by my favorite waiter, Mark. If you're a fan of How I Met Your Mother, just imagine Mark as Linus. He never leaves my glass empty! My friends and I have actually gotten close to the waiters,(and by close I mean, Facebook friends and commenting on each others' posts), that we would often tease each other with little inside jokes. On Tuesdays they have drink all you can for P300 on certain cocktails and every night they have buy one take one on pizza until 8 or 9 pm. If you're feeling cheap, go for those two options, but if you're really hungry, try the deviled chicken or deviled tofu with a serving of rice, which by the way, is not even expensive at all! If you're not a fan of spicy food though, try their other pizzas or their rice bowls. Basically, Route 196 has everything I need when I go out: good food, great staff and brilliant music. And of course, an unlimited amount of cheap drinks!

Joining the ranks of bars like Saguijo, Big Sky Mind, and Club Dredd, Route 196 has become a hot…read moreand sought-after venue for today's young artists. Most big names of the independent art scene frequent Route 196, if not for their own events, for the crowd. Route attracts writers, independent thinkers, music aficionados, filmmakers, and patrons of the underground community. Events I've attended here include Stereodeal's album launch, GeekFight! Trivia Night, Deus Sex Machina, a gig with indie bigwigs Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, and Johnoy Danao, and a fundraiser for a dance film. Route may be a bit difficult to get to, with no direct commutes, but it doesn't stop the crowds from going out of their way to get there. The lure of the culture of Route 196 is just too strong.

There was a time in my more youthful days when I could drink on Monday, drink on Tuesday, take a…read morebreak on Wednesday and Thursday, and then drink all up until the end of the weekend. Those days are long gone, and my liver is thankful, but I'm glad I spent those at Future. I was a pretty loyal customer back when they were in Cubao X, but they've left for greener pastures nearer Aurora and the Manhattan condos. And great for them, as they've said ta-ta to Cubao X's security check and bogus 2 AM curfew and said hello to a bigger space, a bigger crowd, and their own (free) bathrooms. It's gotten a lot grittier now, because of its proximity to the grittier side of the metro. But hey, you're in Cubao so you shouldn't be afraid to get a little down and dirty. I'm only occasionally here in most recent times, but it's often a welcome experience. The crowd is still mostly comprised of Manila's artsy, hipster, underground elite, who aren't afraid to dance to the odd song or two from Future's rotating DJ friends. There's a fearlessness, audacity, and spunk to Future's people, look, and curated music that can be contagious and addicting. The beer prices here have hiked up since my drinking days, so I'm wont to find a drink in other places, but if I'm feeling nostalgic, I know I'll be coming back.

"No man is rich enough to buy his past back, but every man has a future to toast to today."…read more That sign is highly visible as you enter the rabbit hole and into wonderful hipster haunt tucked into an unassuming space between giant condominium complexes in the heart of Cubao's Araneta Center. Here, you will find your usual anti-mainstream, anti-establishment counterculture party animals - cool and trendy kids with ironic haircuts, tattoos and piercings; the mercurial and temperamental artist tropes and the well-dressed and the sartorial liberal arts school fiends. More than a night haunt for the cool kids, Today x Future is a performance space, an art gallery and a local "community center" for all events related to the arts and the youth culture of Manila's artful intelligentsia. I come here for the music, which is always frenetic and random (which is good). They play mostly obscure indie hits that I happen to relate to. The beer is cheap, the food is good, the menu is gimmicky and witty, and the crowd encourages deep, profound conversations about pretty much anything relevant and #trending. Today x Future is simply the epicenter of cool.

"Look for the polka dot house."…read more "Say what, now?" "Look for the polka dot house!" Yes, these were actual directions given to me the first time I was invited to hang out at Boho Sarapsody Bistro a couple of years ago. Located along Ermin Garcia Avenue on Quezon City, you'll know exactly what I mean when you see it. Boho is the only house on the block that does, indeed have polka dots. Frequented by a wide range of oddballs and weirdoes, Boho Sarapsody Bistro is a converted house that serves excellent cocktails, cheap beer and really good food. Also, the group of regulars and the sexy bartenders are warm and welcoming, so it's easy to feel like you're part of the community. You can count on quiz nights, acoustic gigs, pop-up bazaars and art exhibits to be part of the colorful scene that Boho provides to the Quezon City social scene. My favorite dish of theirs has to be their Smurf Fries, which are essentially deep-fried mushrooms, served with mayo ketchup dip. However, I would opt not to have it with the dip and have it with vinegar instead!

It might not look like much, but BoHo Sarapsody is (in my opinion) one of the best places to hang…read moreout. BoHo is pretty much a cozy house turned into an artsy bar - you get there, order a drink, pick a seat, and see where the night takes you. The place doesn't have a sign upfront, and usually, the only indications you've arrived at BoHo are the sounds of performers or loud voices coming from behind a black gate with a bamboo fence. (No! I won't say it! I hate the term "hipster"!) They've got a witty selection of drinks and food, such as their Wong Kar Wai Wings, their Anak ng Tokwa selections, alcoholic drinks The Remedy and the Alien Blowjob, and arguably one of the best mojitos in the metro. Their food is also great, although be patient with their kitchen as they've only got a handful in their trusted staff. They host quiz nights, live gigs with acoustic musicians, the occasional spoken poetry, film showings, and other random events promoting Manila's independent art scene. I once asked them if they could host a fundraiser for a film and they were the most accommodating of hosts. BoHo isn't just a bar or your everyday watering hole, it's a community! Be sure to drop by when they have one of their events! You're bound to meet someone with a story, make new friends, and overall, have an interesting night. PS: Check out their bathroom as well! It's got a lot of stories from the minds that drop by BoHo and feel like scribbling down a thing or so.