I would love to say that these past few weeks of fortuitous sips of cocktail concoctions have always been about celebration—the joy of making new friends, surviving the most stressful days, attending a ball, and reaching new heights in the more important aspects of adult life.
While for me it is all about celebrating, some people drink liquor simply because they feel good enough to do so. Mostly, they drink to socialize and unwind. And I understand—some need that push to open up and become more social. In my case, I could get drawn to “drinking” in these dim-lit spaces because of the ambiance—chill music, smoke-free environment, romantic yet cozy.
If you’re into fine dining and sophisticated social dancing, check out Buddha Bar in Makati City. But if you just wanna chill and enjoy booze at a classy drink lounge, head to the Bank Bar at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
The entryway to the bar is a quest
Perhaps I haven’t been to many pubs or bars, but I find that the entrance to Bank Bar is unlike what I typically picture. It feels like it’s meant to be discreet—tricky to find if you don’t know where you’re going.
Google Maps will take you to RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, where no sign for Bank Bar is visible. You need to go to the 7-Eleven convenience store, turn left as soon as you enter through the glass door. There, you’ll find a thick exit door that apparently serves as the entrance to the bar. Usually, there’s a guy standing by, who will collect any drinks or food you have before you go in.
The door itself looks like a stockroom door, leading to the main entrance of the bar. The stockroom has a potential to cause a bit of apprehension—its red-tinted lighting and small size are offset by the fact that goods like Jufran and Yan-Yan are scattered about, making it less intimidating.
A few steps later, my friend Tim Tam pulls aside the heavy curtain to reveal the “top-shelf drinking den“.
Inside Bank Bar
I’m impressed by the smell. I thought bars would smell anything but fresh, but this place has a surprisingly inviting aroma. If my memory serves, there’s a hint of bergamot—unless that’s just Tim Tam? Probably not.
The velvet sofa and candles on the marble table create an inviting and intimate atmosphere. I couldn’t scan the entire space, but what I saw was enough to confirm that this is a gorgeous place to hang out.
It is worth noting that the tables easily get occupied. Most of them are reserved so better book ahead to secure a good seat.
Due Diligence
Ideally, every human being needs to exercise due diligence. In Bank Bar though, I am not sure if Due Diligence is gender-specific but two things I am certain of: (a) It is not for me (b) Tim Tam craves for it hence our Bank Bar visit.
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| Due Diligence Bank Bar BGC |
Apparently, Due Diligence is among the strongest drink in their menu. It is a whiskey. Tim asked me to try a small sip and I kind of did. The smell is strong. I felt the alcohol evaporate into my system by just bringing the glass near my mouth. So I used a straw. It was not best way to try a whiskey by the way.
Whiskey and other decent liquor are acquired taste for Tim Tam, that, I haven’t acquired yet.
The Queen of them all
I must commend the bar staff who attended us that night for recommending an ultimately refreshing drink from Bank Bar menu—the Queen’s Park Swizzle. Tim wanted something fruity for me but I didn’t mind a minty drink.
I say this swizzle is the queen of them all because it’s the only one I have tried. LOL But to be fair, Tim also liked the taste. It has grapefruit, lime, mint, rum, and muscovado syrup but it is not too sweet nor bitter. It has a nice tart flavor but not sour. I could still taste the freshness of it in my mouth by looking at the photo below.
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| Queen’s Park Swizzle |
Frequenting Bank Bar
The reason for me to come back here and hang out would be the ambiance. But for booze lovers, I’m seeing it’s the wide selection of drinks in the menu—”from akvavit to absinthe, sake to single malts, grappas to gin and an extensive choice of vermouths, tonics, sodas and such,” from momentgroup.ph
“Bank Bar has an impressive drinks list that includes inventive cocktails and the widest selection of any bar in Manila—from akvavit to absinthe, sake to single malts, grappas to gin and an extensive choice of vermouths, tonics, sodas and such.“
Online reviews also mention that the food at Bank Bar doesn’t disappoint. A bit pricey, but netizens attest to the goodness of their Chicharon Bulaklak. If you are an expat and you don’t feel like trying this Filipino delicacy in the streets, might as well order at Bank Bar.
Other food choices: pasta, cold cuts and cheese, pizza, burger sliders, steak tartare, deep-fried chicken skin, fried calamari, truffle fries, deep-fried mantou, bone marrow and wagyu beef diy-tacos, etc…
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| You can also enjoy Bank Bar’s Charcuterie & Formaggio Board (Photo by Bank Bar Manila) |
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| dainty pizzette with a pile of spicy sausage and bubbling cheese (Photo by Bank Bar Manila) |
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| THE bar |
Bank Bar Favorites
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| Smoked Amaretto Flip (photo from Bank bar Manila) |
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| Otis Florence’s The Penicillin (Photo by Bank Bar Manila) |
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| Wonka Martini: a single crème de cacao salted Belgian chocolate in wheat and rye vodka (Photo by Bank Bar Manila) |
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| Pinay Colada: three kinds of local rum, mango Tang, chocolate mole bitters, grapefruit, citrus-honey meringue, and rose petal dust to finish (Photo by Bank Bar Manila) |
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| Earl Grey Martini: with honey and lavender syrups, with egg white and lemon juice (Photo by Bank Bar Manila) |
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| Mariang Bastos: a mix of two Dons (Don Papa, and Don Papa 10) (Photo by Bank Bar Manila) |
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| Truffled Whiskey Sour mixes triple-distilled Irish whiskey, fresh lemon, egg foam, and white truffle oil |
Price Range
The cost of alcoholic drinks start from Php350 per glass. The cheapest drink you can get is coffee at Php110 plus VAT and service charge. If you are dining and drinking here, a budget of Php2000 for two people would suffice. If you are like me and Tim Tam who went here for one drink, Php1000.00 is enough.
The first photo is owned by Bank Bar Manila
Visit Bank Bar BGC
Bank Bar is located at Ground Floor, RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, 26th and 25th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Numbers:
02 8 8014862
+63 9190733304
Opening hours:
Tuesdays to Saturdays: 5 PM to 2 AM
Sundays: CLOSED
