This year, Makati emerged as the most exciting place for a night out—especially its old town center, Poblacion, where rows of new restaurants, bars and clubs draw crowds that spill out on the streets.
There is a youthful vibe in this vibrant scene—the average age of both customers and the establishments’ owners most probably under 40. The owners themselves tell us that they interact and promote each other’s business.
A recent story we wrote (“Why Poblacion is the new Malate,” Inquirer Lifestyle, Oct. 15, 2017) was apparently not enough to cover everything. A few nights ago, in fact, we went back and visited another new joint called Dulo (4922 P. Guanzon, bounded by Burgos and Makati Avenue), which was quite spacious and featured Bing Austria (Flippin’ Soul Stompers frontman) as DJ.
Aside from Poblacion, the stretch of Chino Roces Avenue, from the La Fuerza compound just before Edsa, till right before Fort Bonifacio, is teeming with dining places and one cool bar-and-grill named The Smoking Joint which holds live gigs.
The Smoking Joint, Green Sun Hotel, 2285 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati. Call 4235514.
Black Cows at 19 East
But the best live gig venue, in terms of space, ambiance and acoustics, is still 19 East in Sucat. It’s no wonder that a band like South Border, whose leader, Jay Durias, is very much concerned about the audio quality of a club, loves to play at 19 East.
One more reason to go there is to watch the Black Cows, a band composed of musicians all distinguished in their respective fields—Pido Lalimarmo (guitar, vocals), Gail Viduya and Suy Galvez (vocals), Bolichie Suzara (bass), Gibson Viduya (drums), Rancis de Leon (alto sax), Oyyo Danal (trumpet), Ronald Tomas (tenor sax), Wowee Posadas (keyboards, vocals).
Assembled by Posadas, who likewise owns 19 East, the Black Cows plays the music of Steely Dan and its cohorts (Doobie Brothers, Eye to Eye).
As it turns out, there are many Steely Dan freaks in Manila, judging by the full-house night of the Black Cows’ most recent performance. Its next shows are on Jan. 7 and 21.
19 East, Km. 19, East Service Road, Sucat, Muntinlupa. Call 09494984405.
‘Impossible’
One highly recommended show for the family this holiday season is “Impossible”—a production from London’s West End, which features magicians, illusionists, escapologists, mind readers and stunt artists, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The tricks are truly mind-blowing, virtually impossible to pull off before the naked eye.
“Impossible” runs at Smart Araneta Coliseum till Jan. 3, with two shows, 1 and 7 p.m., on Dec. 31. Call 9115555.
