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 love everything about this bar! Great experience. Definitely making 19eastbar a favorite hang out…read morefor me!!!

First of all let me say.... It's a great place to see the well know groups and singers up close…read more Not a bad seat in the house and you will enjoy the entertainment. That gets 5-stars. The reason for the 3 stars was everything else. This includes the food and the service. It felt to me like ordering food was a bit of a nuisance. First they did not have all of the item menus and the food I did order ( beef dish ) tasted like fish. I only ate the rice and the rest of the food sat on the table and enjoyed the band as well. The wait staff also seemed like they didn't want to be there. Also I noticed that there was no female wait staff, at least not on Tuesday. Not saying they should or shouldn't.... I just find it a little weird. So the restaurant gets a 1.5. Overall. I would go there again with a full stomach. Bands like freestyle and south border are worth it.

The name says it all: this space is for concerts. Well, more or less. For me it looks like a former…read moreparking area. It's like the space suddenly got a job promotion and now caters to superstars. Or whoever. MOA Concert Grounds is as open as it can get; if it weren't for the walls covering the area, that is. I'm assuming it's for protection. Now, I've been here numerous times already, but my favorite visit was during MAD Fest, where Kimbra (OMG KIMBRA. I AM SUCH A HUGE FAN?) performed. You see, we've already given up on the thought of her coming here to sing, and then the announcement came. Imagine our ecstasy. A strong local musician lineup opened for her, and it would've been perfect if I didn't have to stand for 7 hours (we were protecting our suuuuper front-row pwesto). I've developed some bias towards MOA Concert Ground so if a concert is being played here, I have a stronger likelihood of going. We like covering and reviewing live acts, after all.

Apparently, calling a deserted parking lot "concert grounds" is enough for you to charge exorbitant…read moreamounts from gullible people so they could watch people sing or do stuff. Basically, YouTube, without the comfort of being in your own home. I'm not a big fan of concerts, I'm sorry, and I'm even less of a fan of standing in some cement lot that isn't even airconditioned so I can watch Harry Styles gyrate on a stage. What the hell happened to sitting in some arena, WITH AIRCONDITIONING, and enjoying good music? This isn't Europe, people. Get a roof - we have the technology.

Café Cubana is a restaurant, bar, music venue located on Burgos Street in Makati; Metro Manila; The…read morePhilippines. The theme of this venue is the Cuban Revolution. The wait staff wear black berets and stylish olive drab military-esque uniforms. (Although, I doubt any guerilla ever looked as well kempt.) The décor is "tropical". I went to drink beer and listen to live music. (This is one of the few places in Manila where I have found beer on tap; although, it is more expensive than comparable bottled beer.) They have a full menu for food; they have a full bar. But before you exercise your urge to tip, double check your bill. The menu clearly states they there is a VAT and a service fee. Admittedly, Burgos Street has a reputation. But you won't find that type of adventure, unless you're looking for it.

Wonderful vibe. Indoor outdoor seating. Live music. Excellent service. In the heart of P Burgos…read moreexcitement. My favorite server Anne has the best smile in town! Cold beer and mixed drinks. Decor that takes you to old Havana.

For those bitching about how Art should be more accessible to everybody, may I present to you the…read moreTiu Theater. Formerly the old Louie's THX Cinema, the theater has recently been reinvented as an events venue back in 2014, and has hosted a number of concerts, plays, recitals, and performance art pieces. But what sets the Tiu apart from other event venues is how committed it is to making Art more accessible. The management of the Tiu will go out of their way to look for worthy art groups to sponsor. They have even staged a couple of free shows, just to get people more chances to watch these kinds of works. Time will tell if the Tiu can sustain and thrive with this kind of setup, but I'm happy we have such a venue for the arts.

Back in the day, the Tiu Theater used to be Louie's THX, the most high-tech movie theater in Makati…read moreat the time. These days, the Tiu Theater has become an events venue. I had the opportunity to come here for the Luna Art Festival in early 2015, and I loved the intimate, community-like vibe that was present all throughout. Inside the main theater, performers like the Adinkra Lumads group and other ethnic Filipino musicians and dancers performed to a crowd of art enthusiasts, and at some point, people took off their shoes and started dancing in the middle of the aisles! There were also a bunch of merchants outside the theater, selling shirts, food, jewelry and more. The back part of the theater is dimly-lit (adds to the vibe, I think), and has large murals painted on it, cementing the Tiu Theater's position as a haven for artists to showcase their work - be it performance art, visual art, handmade crafts, and more! I always enjoy events that are hosted here because it's always a good time with quality people in attendance.

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.

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.

Whitespace Manila is one of those huge, sterile warehouse-type places that often house grand art…read moreexhibits, concerts, and occasional pop-up bazaars. While I have been here a couple of times, my most memorable experience at Whitespace must have been when I saw the Lemonheads perform live in Manila. The great thing about Whitespace as a music venue is that it's not too large, but not too small - perfect for housing indie rock bands, or in the case of the Lemonheads, grunge bands undergoing a sort of renaissance period in their careers. I must commend the air conditioning at Whitespace, because even during the Lemonheads' performance, the body heat from all the other people wasn't enough to drown out the coldness of the venue. Whitespace is large enough to walk around and have a good amount of personal space from other people - it hardly gets packed to uncomfortable capacity, making it a perfect place to host bazaars and exhibits. It even served as a headquarters for packing relief goods during Typhoon Yolanda. I quite enjoy Whitespace because it is a great venue that fulfills artsy purposes, and does not make the visitor feel cramped and unhappy.

Whitespace Manila is the perfect example of "Build it and they will come". A huge warehouse…read moreconverted into an event space, Whitespace has played host to a series of high profile events, concerts, and markets. Whitespace has a bit of the snob factor working for it as they highly curate the events they stage in the premises. Because they do that, Whitespace has an unmistakable look of cool around it. Whitespace is actually two sections that can be used separately, or can be combined as one big space, depending on your needs. The structure itself is impressive and well maintained. My only beef with Whitespace is its accessibility, as commuters can only access it via jeep from the Magallanes MRT station. Having said that, it's not too difficult to get there. On a personal note, Whitespace will always be special to me as I did my first live coverage of a concert on Whitespace, a Wolfgang concert.

This is one of my favorite event venues both as a participant and as a merchant. I love that it is…read moreso accessible because it's just right beside Powerplant Mall. Whether you're driving, taking a cab or even using other modes of public transport, it's so easy to get to. The tent is pretty big, it has comfortable air-conditioning, the bathrooms are right beside it. I've joined as a merchant for Mommy Mundo bazaars when they were still holding them here and that was one of my most productive selling days. Mommy Mundo transferred to a different venue last year because they were told that Rockwell Tent will be undergoing some remodeling. While we had high hopes for the new venue, it really didn't perform as good as when we were in Rockwell Tent. Foot traffic was cut by about half just with that move. I do hope they give Rockwell Tent a makeover. But even if they don't, I love it just as it is. I will continue to visit the bazaars there and maybe even join a few that will be held there.

The Rockwell Tent has been one of the most enduring event centers and venues in the metro. NBC, a…read moresimilar tent-like venue has bitten the dust last year, and Rockwell remains as a place that can be transformed to suit every function or event, such as parties, product launches, fashion shows, musical events, bazaars and flea markets, programs and wedding receptions. A lot of really memorable events have happened in Rockwell. It is a favorite performance venue for my samba school and community, and we would hold concerts, performances, football viewing parties and similar events in the tent. You don't have to worry about the place being too warm because their air-conditioning game is always on point. Several independently-organized bazaars also often pop up in the tent from time to time, especially during the holiday season. It is where I usually shop for presents, since they are very selective with their tenants. All the bazaar sellers actually hawk interesting and moderately priced gift items that make my Christmas shopping hassle free and worry free! I also like that I'm almost always able to hail a cab in mere minutes, a feat that is almost impossible elswhere.