Our city is finally shaking it up and making its way onto the radar of cocktail connoisseurs around the world. Much thanks to these six bars who are stirring up and adding some flair to our cocktail scene with their inventive creations, creative concepts, and world-class service.
Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
This prohibition-style speakeasy is located behind a secret non-functioning elevator shaft at Jupiter’s Lazy Bastard. The space is dimly lit and cozy, with a glass cabinet filled with exotic tipples occupying the entire right side of the bar. Helmed by the talented and gracious Kenneth Bandivas, the bar offers exceptional and personalised service and top-notch cocktails. Have Bandivas create a bespoke concoction to your liking or order from the menu of classics and new creations. Tip: if you’re a fan of absinthe, this is one of the best places in town to taste the Green Fairy. B/L 22 Jupiter cor Galaxy Sts, Bgy Bel-Air, Makati; +63 917 5201608, www.abv.ph. Daily 5pm till late.
Blind Pig
One of the first prohibition-style bars in the city, Blind Pig is still pulling out all the stops and having us come back for more. The atmosphere is dim and sexy with intimate booths lit by candles. The drinks, however, can get a little pricey, so it’s a good spot for special occasions or just for a drink or two before you call it a night. For something refreshing, try the Motte and Mulberry (PHP500), a mix of Rittenhouse rye whisky, Ramazzotti, apple, and lemon. Or for something spirit-forward and intense, order the Smokey Old Bastard (PHP700) which is a blend of Ardbeg 10-year-old scotch, cigar-infused maple syrup, Peychaud’s bitters, and orange. 227 Salcedo St, Legaspi Village, Makati;+63 917 5492264.
The Curator
This drinks spot is hidden at the back of Cyrano Wine Bar in Legaspi Village. By day it is a third wave coffee joint that also offers simple bites like Honey Grilled Cheese (PHP250) and Apple Pie French Toast (PHP200). But when the sun sets, The Curator transforms into a cocktail bar. All of their cocktails are unique, complex, and inventive and are priced at PHP450. Rum fans will love Beyond The Sea, a mix of English Harbour rum, Overproof rum, Malibu, grapefruit, mango, and coconut. 134 Legazpi cor Carlos Palanca Sts, Makati; +63 916 3554129, www.facebook.com. Mon-Thu 7am-2am, Fri & Sat 7am-3am, Sun 7am-6pm.
Mandalay Whisky & Cigars
Another great hidden bar in Makati is Mandalay Whisky & Cigars, located through a wardrobe door at the back of Legaspi’s The Belle & Dragon. The space is luxuriously appointed with East meets West sensibilities (think: oversized Buddha statues, leather couches and Chinese medicine cabinets). Although this spot is more of a whisky bar, there are a handful of terrific cocktails to savour here. But if you’re going for a dram, such as Ardbeg 10 Years (PHP530), Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 (PHP1,450), or Longrow 10 Years (PHP750), pair it with a Cuban cigar. 100 Carlos Palanca St, Legazpi Village, Makati. +63 2 7285029. Mon-Sat 6pm-2:30am.
The Bonbon Club
Brought to us by the same folks that started the terrific cocktail bar Finders Keepers, this is the city’s pioneering gin-only bar. Unlike most cocktail bars, this space is homey and warm with its large bright windows, mismatched furnishing, and speckles of quirky bar-related antiques picked up by the owners during their travels. Come here to sip on perfectly shaken or stirred gin-based cocktails such as a negroni (PHP300), Earl of Milan (PHP350), or gimlet (PHP300) made with fantastic small batch gins like Monkey 47 from Germany and The Botanist from Scotland. To educate your palate on this herbaceaous spirit, order their new gin flights (PHP1,000) which come with three different gins alongside tonic water. 1/L Tropical Palms, 6 Gallardo St, Legazpi Village, Makati; +63 2 8014840, www.facebook.com. Mon-Thu 4pm-12am, Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 6pm-2am.
Niner Ichi Nana
Niner Ichi Nana may not be the coolest bar in town, but this BGC drinking hole, which is known for its creative garnishing, delivers on quality and consistency every time. Although there’s the option of going bespoke (from PHP500), there’s a long list of classic and original cocktails which will take you a few good visits to work your way through. We’re all about their innovative mixes such as the Shiso Me Sour (PHP380) which is made with Suntory whisky, pickled ginger, lemon, egg white, passion fruit, and togerashi, as well as the Flip Chip (PHP370) which combines Bacardi Black rum, red bean, soy milk, melon, and orgeat. Also don’t miss their seasonal aged cocktails and, if you’re coming in a group, their boozy punch bowls. G/F The Globe Tower, 32nd St cor 7th Ave, BGC, Taguig City; +63 917 8769999, www.ninerichinana.com. Mon-Thu 11am-1:30am, Fri & Sat 11am-3am,
