Fred’s Revolucion has opened its much-anticipated Escolta branch, and we are loving it already.
It’s got craft beers made by a Clark, Pampanga-based German who made a limited edition bock last summer, until Fred’s owners told him it was good enough to be made all year round (ask for the Pinatubo Magma, a full-mouthed bock, PHP120 a bottle).
It’s got rows and rows of craft six-pack cartons from the West Coast, all lovingly collected after nights of test-tasting beers from BevMo, folded and packed in suitcases and balikbayan boxes.
The music’s not too loud, and the food is hearty and worth every peso.
Fred’s Revolucion Escolta, much like its first branch in Cubao Expo, lives up to its name as a “home for sincere drinkers.” Y’know, that kind of pub where everyone goes to if they want to feel safe.
Everyone — from high-ranking government officials, heads of global organizations, students, artists, young professionals, the local lushes — they’ve all been and they were all treated as equals at Fred’s Revolucion.
Even Pride Parade participants from last weekend came over because “they told us this was a safe place.”
Located in the venerable First United Building (FUB), which was built in the 1930s, Fred’s takes up most of the real estate in the space that used to be the old Berg’s Department Store.
Taken over by a group of intrepid young artists, the space is now called Hub:Make Lab, an incubator for artisans-cum- entrepreneurs.
FUB’s owners are Lorraine and Robert Sylianteng, whose advocacy is to revive old Manila, particularly Escolta, once known as the Queen of Manila Streets. Amid much ado about “conservation” and “revival”, Fred’s Revolucion is one of those establishments that is actually placing their full bets on Escolta.
In this part of town that’s used to seeing steel roll-up gates, Fred’s open grills are a welcome feature.
At night, when traffic clears and the streetlamps come on, passers-by are given a glimpse of what Escolta might’ve looked like before war and waste came to old Manila: bright lights; lots of smiling faces, ruddy and warm from food and drink; and stories that shift the narrative of this city from one of hopelessness and squalor to one of vision and righteous nostalgia, so deserving of a cultural jolt.
“It’s an honor to be part of historic Escolta,” says Jose Enrique Soriano, cook and owner of Fred’s Revolucion. “A revival is in order.”
He is loathe to say Fred’s Revolucion was put up with a “concept” in mind.
“In the first Fred’s, it was the customers who started putting up bills on the walls. They donated Che posters. Someone even gave a giant bottle of scotch that he said used to belong to the late Ka Roger from the NPA. The other decor was just junk gathering dust in our homes, which we brought over. Why’d we put up a bar? Because we like to drink. We’d like to think our guests are sincere drinkers, as well.”
We’re pretty sure the pub will do the ghosts and historians proud.
Aside from craft beers on draught frm Smorgasbord-Tap Station, and bourbon whiskeys like Old Crow and I.W. Harper, new specials that Soriano will concoct depending on the ingredients available in the area, will be available.
Be sure to drop by soon.
Fred’s Revolucion, Hub: Make Lab, G/F First United Building, 413 Escolta St, Sta Cruz, Manila; www.facebook.com/freds_revolucion. Tue-Sun 5pm-12am.
