7 Metro Manila Cocktail Bars To Try When You're Solo-Maxxing

While you might not have any problems dining solo, grabbing a drink by yourself can feel like a different story. There's something about sitting at a bar alone that can feel a little intimidating at first—especially if you're not used to it.

The right spot can make all the difference: well-mixed drinks, bartenders who can chat up a storm but also know when to leave you alone, and vibes that'll make you feel comfortable with your own company. Good thing we have a list for you to work through on your solo-drinking journey. So grab a seat, order a drink, enjoy your own company, and ofc, drink responsibly.

Location: F7 Rallos, 49 Scout Rallos, Quezon City.

G&T? Bar.Flora says Gin & Tea! At this bar in Quezon City, gin and tea take center stage. With resin-preserved flowers decorating the bar counter and lush greenery decorating the bar's quiet nooks, Bar.Flora is a cozy spot for the girls—you'll feel comfortable even while drinking by your lonesome. And while the drinks may look dainty, they still pack quite the punch. You can make your own gin-and-tonic concoction or sample their tea-infused mocktails and cocktails.

Location: Lamp Quarters, Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue, Marikina City

Hidden behind an unassuming sliding door in bustling food hub Lamp Quarters is Bar By East. While their bare-concrete, brutalist exterior may seem cold in nature, their interiors are warm and homey—and well-designed, too, as they're an architecture firm in the daytime. Sit by the bar with a bowl of their house peanuts, and have a chat with their friendly bartenders or get some quiet time at the solo-friendly counter seating (with sockets!). As for drinks, we can't get enough of the Bear by East, a gummy bear-infused vodka blend with lemon soda, ginger, and more gummy bears on top.

Location: 134 Legazpi Street, Makati City

Ask around for the best places for drinking solo in the Metro, and The Curator is likely to come up in the conversation, and for good reason. The lights are low and the staff is friendly—you won't feel intimidated even while drinking by your lonesome. Plus the Curator is consistently on Asia's 50 Best Bars so you're sure to have a great drink (or two). Ask the bartender for their recommendation or to make you a drink based on your mood, and strike up a conversation. You might leave a regular.

Locations: BLK 113 3/F, 53 Connecticut Street, Greenhills, San Juan City; 2nd Floor, Linear Building, Katipunan Ave, Quezon City

Notably smaller than most bars—and with better acoustics!—78-53-86 feels like it was made for solo drinking. Sit by the bar and take in their playlist of classic jazz tunes, all played on vinyl records with custom-built speakers. For drinks, 78-53-86 focuses on classics done well like the Old Fashioned or Moscow Mule—though they also offer one signature bespoke drink, In A Silent Way, a Japanese whiskey-based, apple-and-cinnamon-spiced concoction named after the jazz record by Miles Davis. P.S. Get their Truffle Popcorn, and thank us later.

Location: 4963 Guerrero Street, Poblacion, Makati City

You might be alone but you won't be bored at The Spirits Library, an art-deco inspired bar in Poblacion. Behind the bar is a floor-to-ceiling shelf that's a feast for the curious eyes, stacked with rows upon rows of vintage spirits, antique glassware, and cocktail manuals from decades past. They make for good conversation starters, especially with the knowledgeable folks behind the bar. While the decor is maximalist, their cocktail menu is pretty minimalist, only featuring six signature drinks inspired by libations detailed by Charles H. Baker in The Gentlemen's Companion from 1939. And if none of those are up your alley, you can also request for a bespoke drink from the bartenders, which they'll mix up depending on your mood.

Location: Unit 102, Building C, Mandala Park, Mandaluyong City

Just because you come to drink alone doesn't mean you're not open to leaving with someone new. For those days, blank_space could be your bar of choice. At this understated hidden-in-plain-sight bar in Mandaluyong City, most folks come alone but end up chatting with the bartender or someone new at the long counter. The sparsely decorated loft-style space also lets you mingle around freely. And yes, they're inspired by Taylor Swift—Swifties will get a kick out of their cocktails inspired by your fave lyrics like New Money, Suit, and Tie (mezcal, tequila, fino sherry, and rose perfume), and Next Mistake (gin, rose vermouth, and elderflower liquor).

Location: 2/F The Creekside Mall, Amorsolo Street, Makati City

A killer bar soundtrack played on vintage vinyl LPs builds the vibe at Big Fuzz, a hidden bar in The Creekside Mall in Makati. Dim lighting helps Big Fuzz channel the broodiness of a 1920s speakeasy, and fights away any awkwardness you might feel from drinking by your lonesome. Sit by the bar, and chill with any of their cocktails, which are modern riffs on classics like the Joy Division, their take on a classic martini or the See No Evil inspired by a Negroni.