The decision to reopen the bar on the lower ground floor of The Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City came about after its new owners realized in-house guests had few places to chill after sunset.

 

The hotel, previously known as Sulo Hotel, first opened in August 1967. In October 1979 it was gutted by a fire; major renovations had to be undertaken.

 

Sulo Hotel reopened a year later with a bar called Diwata that became popular among Quezon City night owls.

 

In May 2009, the hotel was acquired by a private company, the FRC Sulo Riviera Hotel Inc. Its priority was the refurbishing of 70 guest rooms and public areas.

 

Now, over five years since the acquisition, the management has reopened the bar that caters mainly to in-house guests, although walk-ins are also welcome.

 

Cushioned daybeds

 

Dos Lunas, with its cushioned daybeds and numerous mirrored surfaces, is cozy and elegant.

 

Load-bearing posts with mirror panels serve as walls —giving guests the semblance of privacy, while tufted seats arranged in a grid encourage lounging.

 

“We really wanted to attract functions like parties or conferences. After their events, guests can come to Dos Lunas for music and bar chow. Since we opened, guests have taken to jamming with the band,” the hotel’s operations manager Manuel Ruiz told Inquirer Lifestyle.

 

Dos Lunas’ menu includes tasty, made-for-sharing items such as bangus fritters, potato croquettes filled with cream cheese and smoked milkfish; sizzling chorizo, sliced Spanish sausages served on a hot plate; lechon belly wrap, sliced slow-roasted pork belly wrapped in flour tortilla like Peking duck; jalapeño quesadillas, the spicy version of the Tex-Mex favorite; and Dos Lunas pizza, thin-crust pizza topped with cheese, anchovies.

 

Its chilled cocktails pack quite a punch despite their fruity bases.

 

Dos Lunas at The Sulo Riviera, Matalino Road, Diliman, Quezon City, is open nightly from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. the following day.