This is Ortigas Center's secret neighborhood bar! Ambience is homey, crowd is great and the food is…read moreamazing! Must try: Taco Sticks, Crispy Pata and my favorite, Salpicao! They have acoustic bands play on weekdays and a DJ that busts out house music on Saturdays. This bar has become my Cheers, every body here knows my name!

people often go here for drinks but not a lot know that they serve good food too…read more try their chicken wings there's option for boneless chicken tenders. i think they use the same seasoning. the other menu items are also good im just too drunk to remember.

HIMYM fans will instantly be drawn in by the awesomeness of the name and all the experiences we've…read morehad with Ted and the gang while watching them on a TV, but other than the name, all references and connections to the show end there. That being said, McLaren's is still a pretty awesome place to hang with friends! It can be a bit of hassle to get a table on the weekends, but my friends and I have been lucky enough that there's always a group leaving everytime we arrive. I like that they don't allow smoking inside, but no worries to the smokers, they do have tables outside if you wanna enjoy a smoke with your beer. The booths inside are nice though! So probably better to just step out when you need to smoke. The booths are big and spacious. Perfect for big groups! It's always loud in the "everyone's having fun" kinda way, and if you're here with the right people the night could turn legen... Wait for it... DARY! LEGENDARY! (I had to do it lol)

Pa pa pa pa, pa pa pa pa pa pa, da da da da, da da da da da…read more Know that song? McLarens is one of those bars that just feel like home. It's one of those watering holes where you don't need to force yourself to go to; it just comes naturally to have a beer at before heading home. I'd say that this one is well in my top 5 liquor consumption establishments in San Juan. Cozy booths, outside smoking area, decent prices and good food (although their serving size for the chicken poppers was reduced as of late), It's a nice combination and I really can't complain every time I visit. There are, However, things that run into mind when I hear the name McLarens. Given that the establishment is based on the same bar in *that* popular show, I feel that something is missing. I think that the place needs to feel a bit more "Pubby" and a little less "Bar-ish".

Came here with cousins during happy hour on my last night of vacation. Definitely a great place to…read moreend my trip! We were seated on the patio because it was full inside. We ordered a few cocktails, truffle fries, and bacon chicharon. I had the watermelon jungle juice and some of the fries and chicharon. All were delicious! Salty + sweet is always a great combination. The drink was so refreshing. The bacon and fries were so good and bad but in all the right ways. Hopefully I can come back on my next visit to try more food!

Sapphire Bloc is the place to go for drinks after work. Among the bars that have opened here, my…read morefavorite, hands down, is Moonshine! The first time I tried Moonshine was back in their Makati branch. Back then, the place was cramped and the bar was really just for drinks. This new Moonshine is a definite upgrade with its cool interiors, a spacious second floor and delicious food! If you're hungry, they have a pork-filled menu to satisfy any meet craving! I mean, how can you say no to dishes like the Bacon Stack with Spicy Baconnaise, Tokwa't Bagnet Belly, JFC (just Fried Chicken), and Angus Beef Sisig! I recommend you try the Fatty Fries. It's a heart stopper! Hahaha! If you're thirsty, they have Cocktails, Bottle Service and, of course, Beer! My friends and I go for the carafe serving of the Mango Mojito. But, when I'm alone, I go for their 1 liter beer called the Bootleg Mug. Oh! If you want to go old school, remember the days when shooters were a big thing in bars? Well, you have to try their Hand Grenade! I wasn't able to take a photo of it but it's a shot of Tequila and a shot of Jager balanced over a glass with a shot of Red bull. I'll leave you to do the math on how to drink that. :P It's hard to find a bar that has good booze and awesome food. That's why I feel very lucky that Moonshine is now here in Ortigas! If you plan to go here on a Friday or Saturday night, make sure to have a friend reserve a table (meaning sit at the table). The place seriously gets packed during the weekends!

A great place to watch live music. Acoustics didn't bleed my ears out and I was sitting at the…read morefront. Too bad the bar service here leaves much to be desired. They will only make what is on the menu. I asked for a simple drink, a screwdriver, and asked if the bartender can make it. The waiter came back and said no. What? A bartender worth their salt can make that drink. I then pointed to the menu and said, there's vodka and orange juice and they waiter thought I wanted to order those separately. So even though it looks like they have a full bar, good luck trying to order a drink that's not listed on their menu.

If you've been to Cubao X lately you'll find yourself a handful of interesting characters you'd…read morelove to meet. It gets really filled with artists, free spirits, photographers, surfers, wanders, entrepreneurs, everyone! In one of the corners of Cubao X is where you'll bump into all these characters at Fred's Revolucion. This dive bar of sorts is a colorfully and revolutionary decorated bar with nothing fancy, just drinks and the sound of people. Come drop by with a group of friends and you'll be surprised how fast time will fly and how many conversations you'll hear and overhear. It's got great character to it and a story-worthy ambiance. My friends and I have come by here a few times and each time we lost ourselves in the moment. I love how this place is super different from the bars you find in the Makati area, it's got that something different you don't find too often.

Fred's is the kind of pub you go to when you really, REALLY just want to drink. No dancing, no…read moreear-damaging music, no sleazy guys trying to pick you up, just pure unadulterated drinking. Doesn't matter if you're alone, with friends, or with a handsome Chinito you met on Twitter -- Fred's is the best watering hole this side of Quezon City. The place has this very welcoming ambiance. That said, I've come to think of Fred's Revolucion as a friend (basically any type of friend one may need at a given night). The staff is very pleasant (bartenders are always happy to chitchat with you) and their drinks are ridiculously cheap compared to that of bars in BGC and Makati. Try their Frozen Margarita, Bagnet, and Fish and Chips. I swear on the next Star Wars movie, you're gonna love them.

Julia Vargas is not somewhere I usually go to have drinks or to party with friends. It never really…read moreoccurred to me as to why that is, I didn't really notice. Though I do go there to eat and have coffee since a lot of my favourite restaurants are near if not there. So when my girl friends invited me to a girls night out at Reserve, why not? I think I fell in love with the place immediately. It had the right vibe and music, like everything was just right. They also have a private room for parties and a room where people can dance if they want to. Reserve has a great selection of liquor but what's drinking without any 'pulutan'? And I like that theirs is mostly Japanese food, I think it's a great combination! It's also a good idea to eat something before you drink, don't forget. What to try: Japanese rolls with Midori Sour to drink. or go straight up Jack!

Oh Reserve. Forever go-to Group inuman. It's been around long enough that the social pressures of…read moredressing up and making a night of it. To-be-seen takes a back seat to-be-tipsy. I'm pretty sure every night I've gone here in the past three years has been for an impromptu group celebration of some type. Unplanned birthday get together, surprise work success, or unanimous decision not to brave the Makati traffic. It's not that Reserve is a second-rate bar for a night of drinks (the service has actually been consistent, the music is standard but appropriate for drinking session, and food menu satisfies your barkada's different craving with ample portions). The feeling I get is that most people have been here enough times to not go out of their way for the locale anymore; unless it is for a nostalgia-trip. The good news? Most returning groups find exactly what they were expecting.

Reliability - 24 hours ; definitely an advantage…read more Proximity - A must stop at the Katipunan Area - blue ridge area but no decent parking. I recommend that you visit after 12 midnight - less vehicles passing but pay a close attention to the trucks speeding along. Authenticity - Close enough but tastes middle eastern-ish and mediterranean-ish. Roasted meats, garlic yoghurt sauce + herbs. All of the fat on carb delights. Tasted - Yoghurt drinks and variety  of the sauces, cheese dynamite, beef shawarma & kebab, all a must try - so if you've been to Ababu in Xavierville, Hassan's beef shawarma is definitely way better. I am a Keema lover but my palate says Ababu has a better version of Keema. Oh, and they serve beer :) Aversions - Basmati rice was not on the sides, no parking, they served me an uncooked half-cup standard rice during my last visit priced at 15php. Service - The service was pretty standard, nothing special though. My Final Personal Thoughts - Since I am a keema lover, should I drive along Katips and wanting something Mediterranean, I would opt to taste the Xavierville competitor for obvious reasons; price and keema but this does not mean that Hassan is not a good stop. They offer good sauces and shawarma. So I would definitely drop by for a to-go wraps. Keep in mind that these days, when we think about food, we look at the budget part and the amount of serving :)   #CostingForTheGlutton

Hummus, though cheap, is ordinary. Huge servings do not necessarily translate to good taste. Place…read moreis also dirty, which turns me off. There is a pares place a mere blocks away that is sparkling clean in comparison. The worst thing about Hassan is parking. Clients park on corner of c5 and rajah matanda with impunity. Annoying, entitled, insensitive. Not all the flashy cars can mask lack of education and arrogance of clients and owners. Would be happy to know if any of those thick headed car owners have gotten their cars scratched because of poor parking. A major turn off for me indeed. Why eat in a place that doesn't value the convenience of motorists? Profit is the only thing motivating this overrated place.

Backyard Coffee is a treat for coffee lovers like me. They offer single origin coffee beans and I…read morelove them! After eating out with my friends, we tried different drinks that they offer. My friends ordered Iced Mocha, Iced Black, Cold Brew, Strawberry Frappe and Ube cake. As for me and my posh friend, I ordered Sumatra while he ordered Civet coffee. Love the beans that they are using even for their regular coffee drinks. But let me describe my order. I love Sumatra because it is not that bold and not that bitter. It's a little sweet, a bit acidic and fruity in flavor. So if you are in San Juan area and looking for a different cafe or different drink of coffee, checkout Backyard Coffee and try their single origin coffee beans.

On my seemingly endless conquest of Metro Manila coffeeshops, I blindly followed my friend to this…read morecoffeeshop in San Juan the day before our exam week starts. I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. Located above the Rustan's Supermarket on P. Guevarra, the café is quiet compared to the busy street below and gets tons of natural light from the building's all-glass facade. Great plus for me as it made the place have a very airy feel which went great with the painted concrete floors and industrial seating. The coffee was great too! I got their cold-brew coffee and it was a solid cup of cold-brew. Nothing out of the ordinary but it wasn't offensive. The price was great though! At least 30 pesos less than a comparable brew from one of the third wave stalwarts. They also have a lot of differently sourced beans to choose from, with even a Filipino Benguet option! So even though it might not have same pretentious or hipster vibes that we have come to expect from many of the other third wave purveyors here in Manila, I love how laidback this place is. You can definitely get a lot done here. Cash only!! There are ATMs downstairs though if you're in a pickle.