If you fancy speakeasy bars, then you are probably always on the lookout for places where you can just kick back and relax. Though we like a good party, we are always on the lookout for places where we can kick back, relax and just enjoy good drinks. Here are some of our favourite “secret” bars in the Metro that you should visit.
14 Secret Bars in Manila that are Waiting to be Discovered
The Odd Seoul
2F 8445 Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati (inside Gaja Korean Kitchen)
If you are obsessed with anything Korean, then you’ll love ‘The Odd Seoul’. Located inside Gaja Korean Kitchen, this secret bar offers cocktails that keep true to its cuisine. Most of their cocktails are based on Soju and other K-f&b that we love. Don’t forget to try their spam fries with Korean fried rice!
Int. Bar
Cubao Expo, Gen. Romulo Ave. Cubao, Quezon City (inside a photo booth)
Located inside a photo booth in Cubao Expo, Int stands for interior. The bar has always been a surprise to people in Cubao, especially to those who just want to try the photo booth and end up discovering a beautiful bar beyond the walls of the booth. Their menu is inspired by music and film, like their bestselling drink ‘Cigarettes After Sex’. The bar has two floors and very good mood lighting to complement its speakeasy feels.
Hotel Bar
5th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (Inside Pink’s)
One of the quietest bars we’ve been to, Hotel Bar serves incredible cocktails and food. The bar is located inside Pink’s Hotdog at Shangri-la the Fort. The menu of this old Hollywood-type speakeasy boasts of the utmost quality.
Photos from instagram.com/hotelbarmanila
ABV Bar
22 Jupiter Street, Bel Air, Makati
Gin and Jazz is the perfect pair at ABV. They have jazz nights where you can enjoy good music and mind-blowing cocktails. Known for their bartending and mixology classes, ABV is definitely a giant when it comes to drinks. They have perfected some of our favourite classic cocktails and invented some unique ones. Their bar is beyond that big wooden door where you will be taken back to the 1920s with its ambiance, some jazz, and great drinks.
Photos from facebook.com/abvbar
La Cueva
5782 Felipe St. Poblacion Makati
Mexican food is always a good idea, especially if you will be pairing it with margaritas or beer! Known as a street side restaurant, El Chupacabra in Poblacion, Makati opened La Cueva del Chupacabra (Cave of Chupacabra). The venue now offers more indoor seating where you can enjoy your favourite tacos and drinks.
Photos from facebook.com/Elchupacabraph
RM 16
16 East Capitol Drive Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig
Kapitolyo also has their fair share of ‘secret bars’, such as RM 16. Just behind Titto’s Latin BBQ & Brew is a soda vending machine with a cool offering. RM16 offers food and drinks that will surely tickle your fancy. If you are not sure what to drink, you can tell the bartender how you feel and he’ll whip up something to match your mood or something to lift your spirits. You can also order some food from Titto’s if you are craving for nachos or tacos.
Photo from alwayshungry.ph and facebook.com/therm16
OTO
5880 Enriquez Street, Barangay Poblacion, Makati
Not necessarily a secret bar, OTO may come across as a coffee or music shop, but it actually has more of a speakeasy feel. OTO is in itself a listening room for good music, but they also serve coffee. OTO which means sound in Japanese, is from the man behind ‘The Curator’ and EDSA Beverage Design Studio, so you can expect nothing but the best drinks. They also have high-end turntables to complement their beautiful collection of vinyl records for good music.
Photos from facebook.com/ototo.ph
Prima Facie
114 Scout Lozano Street cor Tomas Morato, Laging Handa, Quezon City (inside Vitto’s)
Hidden in the busy night life of Timog, Prima Facie is waiting to be discovered within the walls of Vitto’s Wine Bar & Restaurant. They offer a wide array of bar chow and drinks that will surely tickle your palate. The vibe inside the bar is very old school. You might think you were transported back in the time of the Great Gatsby.
Photos from instagram.com/primafaciemanila
Blind Pig
227 salcedo street, Legazpi Village, Makati
With it’s signage written in braille, Blind Pig is a gem waiting to be discovered in Makati.The entrance is very low-key and you wouldn’t expect that a bar is hidden within.
Photos from instagram.com/katharinerva and instagram.com/gabonthecoast
Ocean’s Telephone Co
2/F Burgos Park at Forbestown Center, Forbestown Rd. corner 26th St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
This not-so-secret bar is one of the more famous ones. Located inside Frank & Dean’s Red Telephone booth is Ocean’s Telephone Co. Unlike most speakeasies, this bar has weekend parties and is known to be a hangout place of yuppies and millennials. They offer beers and cocktails with live bands and DJs.
Photos from instagram.com/oceanstelco_bgc
Prohibition Liquor Lounge
3rd floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center Makati (Inside Dillingers)
Greenbelt has a little secret tucked away in Dillingers 1903. WheninManila.com actually had a party at Dillingers once and we accidentally saw this secret bar. We always wondered where the music comes from when we have dinner at Dillinger’s and a door will lead you to Prohibition. The lounge offers classic cocktails and parties that happen almost everyday.
Photos from facebook.com/prohibitionliquorlounge
Bank Bar
G/F, RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, 26th and 25th Street, Taguig (through 7-Eleven)
Bank Bar is one of the most talked-about secret bars in Manila. Located at the RCBC Building in BGC, you will only be able to find Bank Bar if you go through 7-Eleven. There is a door inside the convenience store, which you might notice because of the bouncer standing outside. As you enter, you will go through storage and voila, you’re in! They recently celebrated their birthday and had Otis Florence of Attaboy New York make some cocktails, a true testament to Bank’s world class work.
Photos from facebook.com/bankbarmanila
Mandalay Whisky
100 Carlos Palanca St., Legazpi Village Makati (Inside Belle and Dragon)
If you fancy whisky, Mandalay is the place to be. What is hidden inside the active night life of Belle and Dragon is this bar that offers nothing but the best whiskies in town. They offer a hard-to-find whisky selection that you will love if you love drinking it on the rocks. They also serve specially crafted cocktails that use the best quality liquors and ingredients.
Photos from facebook.com/mandalayph
The Curator
134 Legaspi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati
Though known to be a place to get amazing coffee, Curator has a little secret through its back door. Curator’s bar offers one of the best cocktails in Makati along with their craft beer selection. Also from the people behind OTO and EDSA Beverage Design Studio, The Curator was named as one of Asia’s Best Bars in 2018. Behind the minimalist design of the coffee shop is a speakeasy waiting to be discovered.
Photos from facebook.com/thecuratorcoffeeandcocktails
Discovered any other secret bars in the Metro? Share them with us in the comments section below!
