Walk along Chino Roces and you’ll see a familiar La Fuerza building, which stands as a landmark to a few of the major club-slash-bar-cum-speakeasy compounds in this side of Makati. But walk alongside the actual building and you’ll almost miss the newest bar-club-speakeasy-what-have-you in the business district.
Bearing no signage, FUCT MNL is a treasure trove of original libations. Apart from the green light and the bouncer by the door, it’s hardly even visible to the untrained eye—and that’s actually a good thing.
Co-owned by Dennis Gonzalez, who had his own share of mixology experience in the metro’s most coveted bars, and friends, FUCT MNL is an unapologetic hip-hop hideout with two phases: A club-like vibe on the first floor, complete with neon lights and a dance floor, while through a secret door that leads to the second level reveals a more relaxed speakeasy. Plush couches line the area and a plug-your-own music policy is strongly implemented.
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FUCT MNL’s interesting drinks menu are all original creations of Dennis himself, and honestly, will get you smashed despite their pretty names and photogenic composition.
Their cocktails are both a good roster of original recipes and rehashed classics. To name a few: Blush, a gin-based refreshment with hibiscus syrup, citrus, and basil; Hot Mama, a savoury-sweet blend of siling labuyo, citrus, tequila, and Cointreau; Fuct on the Floor, their version of a whiskey sour; Den’s Potion, an addicting mix of Yakult, gin, and egg white for foam; Beauty into the Beast, beer infused with caramel syrup; White Bitch, a non-traditional sangria with white wine, Bianco, and vodka; Den-Gerous, a traidor with tequila, Cointreau, pineapple juice, and passion fruit juice.
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Food here is simple bar chow but perfected, especially for those alcohol enthusiasts who crave grease-based food by the end of the night. Onion rings are always a go-to for drinkers and Fuct’s beer-battered version with tartar sauce is easily consumed in minutes.
Their beef quesadillas are surprisingly better than those we’ve tasted at Tex-Mex joints, utilizing shredded beef barbacoa in between layers of mozarella cheese.
The Spicy Fran Wings are bathed in a honey barbecue sauce with ranch dressing on the side, while their cheese nachos are topped with copious amounts of chili con carne and pico de gallo.
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All in all, FUCT MNL can be coined as a hiphop lover’s hideout, but we see more potential in it for a larger market that involves all types of bar goers—from the youthful clubbers looking to expend energy to the more impassive drinkers who want quality for a fair price.
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