Keep your gin up!
According to The Economist, the Philippines is the number one consumer of gin in the world! Each Juan (or Juana) is estimated to consume 1.4 liters of gin on average. That number can probably be attributed to the popularity of Ginebra San Miguel – the spirit of choice for most Filipinos owing to its affordability and reliable knockout punch.
Because of this, gin has had a bad rap but in reality it’s one of the most versatile and fun alcohols to drink! In this list, we present you with a list of bars around Metro Manila that are sure to change your mind about gin. Keep reading until you find a drink that strikes your fancy and if at first you don’t succeed – try, try a gin.
Gin and Tonic: Let’s be-GIN
Refinery – multiple branches
Refinery is a third wave cafe that serves all-day breakfast and brunch items, international comfort dishes, light meals and specialty coffee–but what sets it apart is that it also serves wine and cocktails. You can even customize your own Gin and Tonic with premium gin for ₱375!
Also try: Elderflower Cucumber Smash | Bombay Sapphire gin, St Germain elderflower liqueur, cucumber syrup, and lime juice
Insider tip: Get up to ₱100 off on your bill with Booky!
Update: For unlimited discounts and monthly Buy 1 Get 1 coupons, subscribe to BOOKY PRIME for just ₱199 per month. Learn more here.
The Rooftop – Katipunan
The newly-opened rooftop bar is a refreshing oasis – ideal for those in search of a less crowded and less rowdy spot. The Rooftop’s menu is streamlined, consisting only of signature and classic cocktails, liquor by the bottle, soda, and San Miguel beer.
Their gin and tonic is super affordable at just ₱80 and is garnished with cucumber, lemon, and rosemary.
Reservations are accepted
View menu
View Instagram account
CCA LRC building, 40 Esteban Abada St, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
(0917) 804-5662
Bank Bar – Fort Bonifacio
Bank Bar is a top-shelf drinking den by The Moment Group. Here, you “invest” on world-class service in a stunning and most unexpected setting. Here, gin and tonics are garnished anyway you want. A popular choice is the rose and cucumber-based G&T made with Tanqueray Rangpur, rose ice, and Fentiman’s tonic. Aside from the extensive range of liquors, spirits, and cocktails, they also serve delicious bar chow!
Also Try:
Nutter Club | London dry gin, Trinidadian Angostura bitters, lemon-pistachio meringue, pistachio salted rim
Reservations are accepted
View menu
View their Instagram account
G/F RCBC Corporate Center (inside 7/11), 25th & 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Gin Cocktails: Gin & Bear It!
ABV Cocktail and Absinthe Bar – Jupiter St.
ABV or Alcohol by Volume is an underground bar that’s reminiscent of the secret lounges of the 1920’s. They serve classic and signature craft cocktails using local and imported premium alcohol. (Some centuries old!) The speakeasy is located behind the large wooden door inside Lazy Bastard which looks like an old school elevator.
If you’re feeling fancy, order the Huckleberry Fizz (₱630) – a whimsical mix of Hendrick’s Gin, super berry syrup, lime juice, lemon juice, homemade cranberry bitters, and soda water, which gives the cocktail its invigorating fizz!
Fun fact: ABV has the largest absinthe collection in town – over 30 bottles, from classic French-style absinthe pours to an absinthe fountain.
Reservations are accepted
View menu
View their Instagram account
Basement Level, Jupiter St. cor. Galaxy, Bel-Air, Makati
(0917) 520-1608
Rambla – Rockwell
Rambla is a go-to restaurant for Catalan specialties. It’s well-loved for its modern Spanish entrées, their Barcelona-inspired cocktails are unrivaled. They also have a cart from which you can make your own gin and tonic!
Insider tip: Get up to ₱200 off your bill with Booky!
View menu
View their Instagram account
G/F Joya building, Rockwell, Makati
(02) 8823-6468
Gin + Other Spirits: Release your GIN-hibitions
Single Origin – various branches
Single Origin is the spot where coffee and alcohol lovers find common ground. Apart from their hefty breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, they also have an extensive beverage list which includes specialty coffee and alcohol-based drinks. Don’t miss their signature craft cocktails, French Lavender is a must-try for it’s delightful mix of gin, lavender-infused syrup, lemon, strawberry, and sparkling wine.
Fun fact: For just ₱400, Single Origin also lets you customize your own Aviation Gin Martini!
Insider tip: You can get up to ₱300 off on your bill with Booky
Chotto Matte – Fort Bonifacio
Chotto Matte, which means “wait a moment,” is the Raintree Group’s newest concept. The Japanese whisky joint offer fresh beats, cool cocktails, artisan Sake & the best Kakubin Highballs in town. Their signature libations are wallet-friendly; if you’re a gin lover, don’t miss the Sensu, Lucky Lady, and Modern Japan.
Must Tries:
Modern Japan | Bombay Sapphire gin, Shiso-infused shochu, Martini Bianco, pink ginger
Sensu | Melon-infused shochu, melon liqueur, gin, amaretto, egg white, housemade orange bitters
Lucky Lady | Bombay Sapphire gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, blood orange bitters, muddled with fresh mandarin oranges
Reservations are not accepted
View menu
View their Instagram account
Net Park Building, 5th Ave, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 7752-5678
20:20 – Pasong Tamo
20:20 is a new under-the-radar bar that serves beer, cocktails, food and music in one place. The name is derived from its street number address, which is 20A and 20B La Fuerza Plaza 1.
Must Tries:
That Thing In The Jar | Gin, triple sec, vanilla galliano, marmalade, sour mix, and a red wine float
Gin Basil Smash | Gin, absynthe, fresh basil, fresh mint, syrup, sour mix
Reservations are accepted
View menu
View their Instagram account
20a – 20b La Fuerza Plaza 1, 2241 Don Chino Roces Ave, Makati
(02) 8403-5019
The Curator – Legaspi Village
The Curator is a backdoor cafe and drinking lounge hidden inside Cyrano Wine Bar that serves handcrafted coffee all day and cocktails by night. The expert team behind the bar views coffee and cocktails as an art, science and a craft – it’s no wonder they secured the 23rd spot on Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2017!
Insider tip: Every drink is customizable and if you like your designer drink, they'll even give you the recipe and log it down for when you come back!
Must Tries:
Maya | Tanqueray 10 Gin, La Quintinye Vermouth Blanc, Butterfly Pea Flower Simple Syrup, Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters
Left Coast 2.0 | Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Mint, Cucumber
Reservations are accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
194 Legazpi Street cor. Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati
(0917) 585-9005
12/10 – Guijo St.
12/10 is a popular Japanese izakaya-inspired restaurant owned by Thea de Rivera and Gab Bustos of The Girl + The Bull. Their second baby – a tribute to their anniversary – is a customize-your-own degustation concept. The small plates pair perfectly with cocktails and theirs are some of the best in the Metro
Must Tries:
Green Crack | gin, mezcal, cointreau, dolin blanc, cucumber, lime, shiso
Reservations are accepted
View menu
View their Instagram account
7635 Guijo St, San Antonio Village,Makati
(0915) 663-2823
If you’re not already enjoying the offline convenience of Booky, you can download the app for FREE! Whether you’re on iPhone or Android, you get P1000 worth of savings on us. But why stop there? When you sign up for BOOKY PRIME, you can get up to P15,000 worth of Buy 1 Get 1 deals and unlimited discounts – all for just P199 a month. Your next bite is just a touch away.
Share with us your experiences by tagging us on Instagram @bookyapp and using the hashtag #bookymanila when you post your photos online. Who knows? You might just be featured!
