There is an increase of coffee shops, gastropubs, and common spaces in Manila, which are based considerably on both the fast-paced lifestyle of millenials who dominate the workforce and the rampant, innovative business start-ups. (Dear Millennial, don’t know what path to take yet? Read this open letter dedicated to you.)
According to the research of Euromonitor 2016, this increase is attributed to consumers’ increasing sophistication over beverages and food served in cafés and bars. In addition, it is said that the Philippines’ growing middle-income segment, gastropubs, are expected to gain a stronger following as they look for bars/pubs that have a comfortable atmosphere, good quality food, and a wide selection of alcoholic beverages which some mainstream bars are not capable of giving.
Meanwhile, artisanal coffee shops will continue to flourish due to the growing number of Filipinos who are now becoming increasingly sophisticated when it comes to their choices of coffee.
Back on its second year, an event that proved its success is the BrewFest MNL 2016, which was held at the Century City Mall in Makati City from September 30 to October 02 2016. Aside from beer, the first day’s program included a live art by We Will Doodle and music by Monique Delos Santos and Gio Levy.
BrewFest MNL was an indoor gathering of 20 brewers that offered 100 local craft beers from across the country, specifically from Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Sagada, Tarlac, Cebu and Palawan. The brewers that participated again were Alamat Craft Brew, The Bottle Shop, The Brewery, Craftpoint Brewing Co., The Cebruery, Crazy Carabao Brewing, Crows Craft Brewing, Great Islands Craft Brewery, Joe’s Brew, Juan Brew, Nipa Brew, Palaweno Brewery, and Pedro Brewcrafters. The brewers that joined the growing community were 63 North Brewing Co., Baler Brewing Co., The Laughing Carabao, Cerveza Sagada Craft Brewery, Manila Mashers Home Brewers, and Perfect Pint. (Read more about these brews on 6 Local Craft Brewers.)
When choosing a coffee shop to work at or have a relaxing chat with friends, hole in the wall coffee shops such as Kuki’s Cafés and Coffee is a place to be! Situated in the quiet area of San Antonio Village in Makati, it definitely has the ambiance of a neighborhood hangout.
Kuki’s Cakes and Coffee have homemade cakes that cater to the palettes of Filipinos such as their Kalamansi Cake (Php 95 per slice, Php 720 for a whole cake) and Dulce de Leche Cake (Php 95 per slice, Php 720 for a whole cake). They also offer an array of drinks which includes hot and cold coffee (a new addition to their menu is the Nutella Hot Chocolate, Php 70). For healthier options, they also have fresh fruit shakes and organic teas. Up for more coffee? Maybe you’d like to also try another hole-in-the-wall coffee shop just nearby called Restock Curiosities.
As someone who depends on the internet and coffee for work, it is also a consideration for me to work in places such as common office spaces such as The Office Project Coworking Studio. I believe in the importance of the different spaces like these, which are collaborative in nature and fosters creativity for business to prosper.
www.facebook.com/BrewfestMNL
Instagram: @brewfestmnl
7522 Bagtikan St., San Antonio Village,
Makati, Philippines
www.facebook.com/kukiscakes
Instagram: @kukis_cakes_coffee
www.facebook.com/theofficeprojectph
Instagram: @theofficeprojectph
