1. SKULL & BONES
Relive your college days at this university-themed bar! We suggest heading there for Flashback Fridays for some old school '90s music. That, and a 6-pack beer is really cheap. Like, P300 cheap.
Recommendation: Pulled-Pork Nachos (P380) for sharing, or Fluffer Nutter (P160) for the daring.
Price Range: P300-500
Address: UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Contact: 0916-220-1668
2. Locavore Gastropub
Locavore (n.) – a person who prefers eating locally-sourced food.
Don't take this place to be a run-of-the-mill Pinoy food restaurant. Experimental, daring, and comforting at the same time, Locavore Gastropub takes local favorites and twists them into modern classics. True to Filipino cuisine, food from Locavore is best when shared, making it an ideal gimmick destination.
Recommendation: For food, the Kinilaw Platter is great for bar chow (price depends on variation of kinilaw). For drinks, the Sexy Sili cocktail (P240) is the bombdotcom.
Price Range: P300-500/head
Address: Brixton Technology Center, 10 Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Contact: 0923-588-9419, 632-9600
3. Niu by Vikings
Niu is the upscale eat-all-you-can buffet by Vikings in SM Aura. Not only do you have access to a mile-long continental and oriental cuisine, but you also have a wide selection of draft beer, sake, cocktails, and wine.
Recommendation: Try the katsu, salmon gravlax, and fresh puto bumbong.
Price: P1,088 (+5%SC) for weekday lunch; P1,388 (+5%SC) for dinner, weekends, and holidays.
Address: 6F, SM Aura Premier, 26th Street Cor. McKinley Parkway, 1630 Taguig
Contact: 478-3888, 847-3888, 0917-586-6888, 0919-999-6888
4. Café Curieux
Café Curieux is accessible French food in an al-fresco setting perfect for the chilly weather! The food ain’t bad, but we prefer their cocktails when we’re hanging with friends outside.
Recommendation: Go at night when it’s breezy and try their house rum (P90/shot).
Price Range: P200-400, for sharing
Address: Polaris Street cor. Badajos, Poblacion, Makati City
Contact: 0927-898-1151 or 0915-624-7211
5. Puzzles Board Game Lounge
Puzzles Board Game Lounge was born out of a love for good ol’ group activities. If you’re sick of seeing friends with their faces stuck to their phone screens, take them here for a reminder of what real human interaction is really like! We recommend stacking your phones in the middle of the table at the start of dinner, so y'all can go talk to one another. First person who says he needs to use his phone pays for dinner.
Recommendation: Oreo Are You Afraid Of The Dark? With Peanut Butter (P150).
Price Range: P200-400
Address: 287 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque City
Contact: 0917-855-5755
6. Tapeo
Tapeo often hosts Spanish guitar and Flamenco performances, so you get good food and a show—without the painful price tag.
Recommendation: Make a reservation on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday night for Wine-All-You-Can for P699 from 7-10 p.m. They also offer unlimited tapas for P495 weekdays and Saturday from 2-9 p.m.
Price Range: P400-600
Address: The Fort Strip 7th cor 28th Ave. BGC Taguig City
Contact: 556-2668
7. 12/10 – San Antonio Village
For a quiet and chill evening, try the Japanese izakaya 12/10 by the same couple behind The Girl and the Bull. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and the dishes are as delightfully creative as the presentation. It’s always fun to experiment with friends (and Filipinos looove Japanese food), so order everything.
Recommendation: Salmon Kushiyaki (P270), Toro Onigiri (P410)
Price Range: P400-600
Address: 7635 Guijo Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City
Contact: 0915-663-2823