Eastwood Citywalk: A 24/7 bar mecca

When Halloween rolls in in a couple of weeks, expect people to come in droves to Eastwood Citywalk. Thanks to a roll call of impressive bars, Eastwood Citywalk has earned a reputation as the place to party on a weekend or a happening Thursday night.

We documented the five hotspots the area has come to be known for (including the bestselling beverages these bars are known for) here. But the nightlife isn’t limited to the following five. Thanks a to a resurgence, Eastwood Citywalk is welcoming Blue Onion — again — into the fold. A two-story high rise includes clubby lounge areas and dramatic views of the Libis landscape. Folks who want to party it up karaoke style can seek sanctuary in Red Box, while Jack’s Loft offers after-meal dessert options for the hangout-hungry. Club Dredd and Bedroom are happening hangout spots for the party-inclined.

With clubs open till the wee hours of the morning, 24-hour spots like Something Fishy, which offers a breakfast buffet beginning at midnight, Stackers Burger Cafe and Dencio’s, which closes at 3 a.m. and reopens its doors at 11 a.m., offer a post-clubbing meal respite for people to decongest after a fun night out.

Whether you’re hitting the clubs, mingling over imported beer in a homey bar or chowing on snacks, Eastwood Citywalk has it all.

To The Manor born: Partyphiles pack the club at Manor.

Manor Superclub

Mood/ambience: The deluxe club, helmed by the same folks who run Embassy, is known to be a hub for serious partygoers. Baroque wallpaper, huge statement fixtures and a dramatic staircase separate the joint from the rest of the pack. Divided into several sections, basement, penthouse and terrace (not to mention that various divisions that make up the VIP and VVIP sections), the exclusive hotspot is known to pack a crowd that lines the street till the wee hours of the morning.

Drink/dish to try: Cherry amaretto and weng weng, P750/pitcher; chicken fingers, P185; beef salpicao, P285

The crowd: A young crowd (late teens to early 20s) makes up a large part of this club. Plenty of Katipunan college kids have been known to make this club a waystation for the night on a happening Friday or Saturday, while working folks prefer to mingle on a quieter Wednesday.

Contact: 421-3180

The Distillery

Cheers: A cozy neighborhood for people with discriminating tastes

Mood/ambience: The brick walls, earthy wood accents recall a homey atmosphere, which is exactly what Distillery part-owner Raj Sadhwani was aiming for. “We wanted it to feel cozy, like a neighborhood bar,” he says. “Nothing pretentious.” Communal tables encourage a sense of community. An interesting design feature is the use of empty Stella Artois bottles (its green luminescent under the bar’s lighting), which were used at Distillery’s Makati branch. “We like to bring something from an old brand,” says Sadhwani. “I find that it gives us luck.”

Drink/dish to try: Known for its eclectic range of beer (about 60 uncommon labels), the shop also boasts a selection of about 50 whiskies. Of the beer, worth trying are the Stella Artois, P100; Beck’s, P100; Orange Boom, P100; Hoegaarden, P130; Titje, P160; Bass Pale Ale, P160; Grolsch, P180; Timmerman’s, P200; and Chimay, P175. 

The crowd: According to Sadhwani, plenty of repeat customers come alone after work and feel comfortable hanging out with whoever else is present. But a good mix of yuppies, older folks with a hankering for certain hard-to-find beverages and people on their way to a night out at the clubs. “Our drinks are pretty reasonable, so people tend to come here to load up on booze before they head out for the night,” he says. “We tend to get people who are curious, who are open to trying new things and want to experiment with their drinks.”

Contact: 216-1382

Graffiti Hip Bar

Mood/ambience: A playful pad created by the same folks behind Pazzo and Trio, the joint boasts graffiti-covered walls and pop art-inspired interiors. With a menu modeled after Asian street food, with prices to match, the food is generally delicious, the atmosphere fun, the decor bright and the drinks unbelievably cheap. Practically every beverage retails for P98. Worth a stop before hitting the clubs — or after, for a good post-dance pigout.

Drink/dish to try: Strawberry mojito, P98; Big Apple, P98; LOL (lychee and vodka), P98; Thai BBQ satay, P158; and General G’s chicken, P198

The crowd: Yuppies like to come in after work for an early dinner, while the teen crowd and their older party-focused counterparts head in after the dinner rush to groove to the bar’s mix of hip-hop and techno sounds.

Contact: 913-3625

Toyz Cafe

Mood/ambience: Designed for a “man’s man,” Toyz Cafe is decked out in black and red. Toys hang from the rafters, like a helicopter, while a large plasma screen in the corner blasts sports 24/7. Modeled after the Formula One fever, there are tires decorating the bar and the second level landing.

Drink/dish to try: Toyz margarita, P210; melmac iced tea, P185; and margarita, P185

The crowd: Dudes who like toys and sports and chicks who dig those dudes

Contact: 513-2676

Circa

Mood/ambience: Clubby chairs, statement light fixtures, colorful tile and dark walls make this hotspot markedly different from the rest of the crow. Known for its pulsing LED light play, its VIP area is cordoned off by LEDs, mimicking a light cage.

Drink/dish to try: Junebug, P170; sex on the beach, P170; and weng weng, P170

The crowd: Teens and folks in their 20s tend to pack the dance floor in this club. According to folks in the know, basketball players frequently make an appearance in the club since Circa is owned by the same folks behind Solar Sports.

Contact: 0917-8017422