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.

My husband and I discovered the Music Hall when were looking for a place to chill somewhere in…read moreMetrowalk. With two floors and a mezzanine, this place is surprisingly spacious. Since we had dinner already at home we only ordered a plate of nachos and two bottles of beer (total bill was only Php350. They don't charge an entrance fee). We were disappointed with the nachos because it was served late and cold. We should have ordered the sizzling tofu instead. Anyway, it's a good thing the band playing that evening, Jek Manuel and The Stronghold, was good. We really enjoyed the group's performance. I like the place because it's separated from the crowded and smokey part of the Metrowalk. I don't like their chairs though, very uncomfortable. We will definitely go back there because food (mostly hotplate or grilled) is not expensive, band performances great, place cool, and location is fantastic.

With a very up-to-date sound system, scenic location, and the guest performances of many of the…read morecountry's well-known Original Pinoy Music (OPM) artists, The Music Hall has a simple name but a well-known concept in that is takes a bar with live music and an ambiance of cocktails, buckets of beer, and delicious samples of "pulutan" and other light meals served with alcohol to make it a bar-bistro. Seeing its walls lined with pictures of famous artists who performed there, one would instantly realize how many stars have graced the stage of The Music Hall. During my visit, I witnessed a concert where Philippine music legends Boy Mondragon and Richard Merk performed songs that made them famous. (Yes, not my generation, but it was a fun, entertaining, impressive show nonetheless.) All that while enjoying a smooth Daiquiri with Calamares, Drunken Shrimp, and Sizzling Tofu. With the cool air-conditioning and the live bands and groups like the FBC "Rebirth" and the L & S Femme stoking up the crowd's enthusiasm and letting them sing along to the hits of yesterday and today, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I'm sure you will too. Just check their schedule which is packed with events featuring artists from then and now.

I found out about this rare gem through Reese Lansangan's instagram post about a place in Cubao…read morethat sells Pinoy-made ukuleles. I checked out their page instantly (or should I say, insta-stalk?) to check out if they could apply a decal of the phases of moon on my ukulele. What really piqued my interest was that they conduct a free ukulele tutorial every Thursday at 6 PM. It so happened that it was also a Thursday when I found out about it so phoned my friend and we got there in the nick of time. We both have been trying to learn how to play the ukulele for months all by ourselves and we really never got the time to learn it side by side. We also wanted to learn under the wings of someone who has been playing it for years so that we can ask questions which is obviously quite impossible if your mentor is someone from a Youtube video. Not only did we learn how to play 'Til There Was You by The Beatles but we also met fellow ukulele players and most of them were just as newbies like us who wanted to learn how to play an instrument even at a late age. They also have an open jam every Friday nights to gather ukulele players all around the metro and form a camaraderie with everyone who loves to play the uke. You can also order tea or coffee while you're there and just like the ukulele they sell, they're also made by Filipinos. Hooray for supporting local!

I can say that ukuleles are getting more and more popular these days. I base it on the fact that…read moremusic instrument shops are running out of stocks now more than ever. I got my first ukulele from a huge chain, and when I went back two months later to get one for my brother, they were all gone. Going back a week later didn't help, and neither did trying out some other stores. Of course they do restock, it's just that more people are buying them. I guess more and more musicians are using ukes for their live performances and fans are following. Just think about Meghan Trainor and Vance Joy. Now, I stumbled upon Four Strings Cafe's online page when I was on a roll googling ukulele shops and liking their pages. The cafe is located in Cubao Expo. There you can find ukuleles of literally different shapes and sizes, strings, accessories like tuner and some ukulele bags too. You can also, for some reason, buy Manic Panic hair dyes there. That's where I'm gonna go to once I decide to do a YOLO hairdo, although I doubt they have resident hairstylists there. I'm totally kidding. Their string babies are locally-made and are priced competitively in my opinion. I attended one of their free ukulele workshops where you they teach you chords and songs with some other enthusiasts. All of you squeezed inside the tiny cafe, but for me it was totally worth it.

Unlike other major cities throughout the world, Manila doesn't have a vibrant busking culture. The…read moremusic-for-money and public performance standard here is pretty much limited to the blind and the physically disabled who sing and perform for spare change in train stations or on the street. In other countries, especially in huge cities where walking is a culture and the people commute everywhere, buskers or street musicians are a part of the commuter's way of life. They just breathe this fun and creative energy to the city, and I really miss running into awesome street performers that are just too damn good, they should be famous. In Seattle, for instance, there are banjo players, violinists, saxophone players and even street drummers in almost every corner or public park, so there is always good live music around. These people don't even need the money, but spare change is very well appreciated. More often than not, these performers already have independently produced CDs or records that they also sell. You hang around, buy a CD, listen to the music, and plop some loose change or some banknotes onto their open violin or guitar case. One thing that comes really close to the busking culture that I love are the street musician acts that are prominent in Bonifacio High Street. I have been to BGC several times, and High Street's promenade is always rife with live entertainment from people who are passionate about music. I saw a guy in a wheelchair ones who sang to all my favorite John Mayer tunes. There was also a girl who was pretty good with the ukulele. One guitar player really made me stop and listen because his original compositions were so evocative and so well-writ. I just love that BGC is promoting this kind of activity, since we don't get to see a lot of pure talent every day. Here, you can just buy a coffee from a cafe nearby, settle on one of the benches, and part with a few twenties or fifties after listening to some awesome live music from the buskers.

"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.

There's something very inviting about a suburban hub that grows a music, art, and plain…read moreself-expression-loving community so organically. You get curious and want to know what it's all about. Balete at Kamias has become one such place, with people converging for its ever-changing shows and events right at the heart of QC. Not your average gig place-- it becomes a piano bar one night, an improv stage another, a video/film screening center, a theater, workshop space, party venue, community program hall... And yes, a live music lounge. It wears so many hats for different events, but is most known for its live big band music nights where you get a full 10 to 20-piece band playing quality jazz and swing music your parents would love to dance to! But that's not to say it's an oldie crowd. Like I said, it gathers just an art-loving community, and that spans all ages. Instead of a more homogenous group of twentysomethings or thirtysomethings, here you get a varied group, and you can even go with your musical moms, dads, titos, titas, even lolos and lolas! Hey, some nights you get 60s/70s/80s pop or contemporary jazz or funk or 90s or rock or whatever else, all by the country's top session musicians, big-name stars, and promising young talents. It's just diverse, honest to goodness, quality music for the soul that you don't get just anywhere.

My friends and I were looking for a cheap place around Morato to have drinks, (in Morato "cheap"…read moreand "drinks" often don't belong in the same sentence) and we ended up at Luna J in Il Terrazo. Their cocktails were a revelation in that though they were inventive in local flavor, which is somewhat the whole theme of the restaurant, but they tasted kinda weird and were off the mark. What was a surprise though was their food--pretty standard Filipino fare, but pretty decent and done well. The price was fair, if just a tad expensive given how conventional the food is. It definitely made up for their odd-tasting drinks, enough that it had us go back another time. The beer wasn't so expensive either, given the area and how easy it is for most to hike up prices for local beer. Add to that their laid-back, pub interiors and a pretty chill night can be had here. Their outside tables on the balcony and in the open-air Il Terrazo area are nice, and I believe a live band plays at the spot on occasion, though I'd much rather stay inside and cradle my beer.

Classy place in Il Terrazo that my uncle took us to when I was visiting the Philippines. I liked…read morethe ambience; it's more of a restaurant than a gastropub (nearby Livestock is more of a gastropub), but that was fine cause I wasn't really drinking anyway. The food was decent. They have your standard Filipino food fare, though it didn't really stick out all that much. The Bicol Express wasn't very spicy, and the Bagnet was more just fried pork belly. Still, the place was clean, and the service was good though a little slow on getting some of the orders. There WERE 10 of us, so it was more of a hassle to serve, but it was fine in the end.

There are quite a few bars along Aguirre Avenue in BF Homes but this one is the only decent one…read morewith live bands playing. And by that, I mean that they're the only ones that don't have show bands playing every night (although it's fun watching now a show band once in awhile.) Just like most bars, Red Ninja has had events here too. Beer is cheap and I've heard that burgers and ribs are good here, though I have yet to try it. Parking can be difficult, but there's always a spot somewhere along the street. Sound system isn't as good as everywhere else but the bar just has this chill vibe to it that you wouldn't really mind a so-so sound system. Everyone is just happy and loving what they're hearing. There's a beer pong table in the air conditioned area where I've seen a few people make beautiful friendships too. It's a bar for young people and those young at heart.

So last night I did the craziest thing..I went out on a weeknight (wohoo!) I broke my routine of…read morestaying indoors, watching movies, writing Yelp reviews and basically just being in a horizontal position all night. I went to X-278 Bar with no idea about what it was like; it was just one of those places that I would see filled with people whenever I would drive along Aguirre. I came in there last night, looking like a "tita" in a crowd filled with girls and boys radiating a strong, youthful glow and ordered a rhum coke with a fellow "tita" friend. The music was pretty good, a bit emo that evening but nonetheless entertaining. I love that there's now a new bar 10 minutes from where I live, with live music, trinkets sold on the side and cheap drinks.

The home of my favorite Wolfgang and Razorback concerts! I'm glad to see this OPM mecca still up…read moreand running. The display of memorabilia from various local legends through the years makes the walk to the main concert area even more exciting. It is also nice how the Music Museum is at a central location being in Greenhills. There's no reason for your south friends (who usually make anything beyond Makati or Taguig seem like a province) not to be part of the concert barkada. Afterall, concert viewing is more fun in groups. An added bonus is that there are many choices to have your concert "pregame" at. It really doesn't matter whether you just want a quick meal or get boozed up before rocking out at the show you're going to since Greenhills Shopping Center gives you many options.

Music Museum holds a special place in my heart because I saw my very first concert here (Wolfgang's…read moreAcoustica, if you wanted to know). So much history in terms of the local music scene has gone down within the four walls of Music Museum, because many Filipino artists across all genres, from rock, hip-hop, classical and more, have performed here. Even foreign acts have also graced its walls. It is one of those venues that is built in a way that the music is meant to sound good, whether you've got a front row seat or are sitting in the back on the upper floor. It's also been said that Music Museum houses the country's best sound system, according to certain local musicians. Located in Greenhills across the Promenade mall, Music Museum has been around since 1988, founded by Kuh Ledesma. You can even see memorabilia from famous musicians inside, including Apo Hiking Society's first contract, Liza Macuja's first ballet shoes, and Randy Santiago's jacket. I was able to catch acts like Wolfgang and Razorback perform here, and each time was a fantastic show. I am especially fond of this venue for live music and I know that every time there's a gig at Music Museum, I know that it's a big deal.

Came here during our recent Manila trip and it was highly recommended by friends and family. Great…read moreambiance and wonderful drinks. Would likely come back again. Pretty affordable if you're converting USD to PHP but likely very expensive for locals If you're on a local salary. I've been to actual speakeasies in the US that survived Prohibition era and they don't quite have the same feel--for starters, the building is new, there are no secret doors or hidden basements, there isn't a password or secret code to get in or antique version of the menu, no history about how the place survived when it was illegal to sell and distribute alcohol. Despite not having the culture and history behind it, it is still a very good experience and would highly recommend for the drinks and ambiance.

ok, it's a bit tricky to find this place, at least for me, but i'm glad i didn't give up so easily…read more once inside, i was greeted by the friendly staff. the drinks weren't only pretty but delicious too. it's a really chill spot and would definitely recommend to friends. can't wait to come back to this place.