Cover Bar By East in Marikina lives a double life as a cocktail bar and an architecture firm
Bar By East in Marikina lives a double life as a cocktail bar and an architecture firm
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Bar By East
Located in Marikina, Bar By East brings an elevated bar experience to this side of the metro
“It’s five o’clock somewhere, am I right?”
It’s a lighthearted jab to justify drinking at odd hours of the day, but the fact remains that most bars only open at night. As the sun sets, establishments switch on their bright neon lights to welcome friends, out-of-town travellers and the work-weary. Though such sights are often reserved for Makati and Bonifacio Global City, Bar By East brings elevated sophistication to the east side of Metro Manila. If you’re searching for a new bar to call home, look no further—and if you want to consult on designs for a new home, well, you may be in for a surprise.
More from Tatler: Bar by East
Above The team behind Bar By East: Renzo Aledia, Kim Sayenga, Kass Bernardino, Rian Asiddao, Julia Virtucio, Andy Rigo, Wendell Almenario and DJ Francisco
The team behind Bar By East: Renzo Aledia, Kim Sayenga, Kass Bernardino, Rian Asiddao, Julia Virtucio, Andy Rigo, Wendell Almenario and DJ Francisco
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Above Wintermelon Highball
Above Claude Monet
Wintermelon Highball
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Co-founded by architect Julia Virtucio and her cousin, Rian Asiddao, Bar By East operates by day as an architecture firm, Emerging Architects Studio (EAST). By night, it is an elegant cocktail bar that takes full advantage of its existing décor to serve drinks amidst a modern and contemporary setting.
“The idea for Bar By East came about unexpectedly,” Asiddao shares. In the past, he was a bartender at Salon de Ning at the Peninsula Manila, the Long Bar at Raffles Makati and a consultant for about a dozen others. “Virtucio’s husband's architecture studio, EAST (a partnership where she works alongside several other talented architects), relocated to Lamp Quarters in Marikina, an upscale food park. Part of the agreement for the space required a food or beverage concept.”
Determined to make this new location work, Virtucio called Asiddao, who quickly agreed to the proposal. “We started small, and we are grateful for the incredible support we’ve received.” A mother of two, she has learnt to balance her responsibilities by surrounding herself with strong, capable teams. “At the end of the day, it’s about passion,” she shares. “When you truly love what you do, you find ways to make it work.”
Above The Bar By East conference room
The Bar By East conference room
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Above Marikina Sling and River Valley
Marikina Sling and River Valley
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The establishment’s grey walls, exposed concrete and sculpted curves serve as a blank canvas for their drinks to fill with colour. Bar By East serves a mix of timeless classics and signature creations, reflecting the culture of its location. Make sure to try their bestsellers: Bear By East, Wintermelon Highball Marikina Sling and Barreled Boulevardier. “Our menu is a collaborative effort of the entire team,” Asiddao explains. He sees mixology as both an art and a science, but what matters most to him is human connection. “Hospitality is the most important ingredient,” he muses. “It is a profession where you can truly have fun while creating experiences for people.”
See more: Manila by night: 10 hottest bars and clubs you should know in Metro Manila
Above Barreled Boulevardier
Above Bar By East head bartender Wendell Almenario
Barreled Boulevardier
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Though initially established to comply with the building requirements, Bar By East eventually became something more. “Our mission evolved into introducing and growing cocktail culture in Marikina and surrounding areas,” the pair affirm. They’re a friendly neighbourhood bar, where patrons are treated with familiarity and served impeccable drinks. “Our goal,” they declare, “is to make well-crafted cocktails accessible to the people of Marikina and the East side of the metro.”
With cocktails inspired by the city’s culture and a staff made up entirely of Marikenyos, local pride is at the heart of Bar By East. “We hope to continue encouraging others to invest in Marikina’s bar scene and give back to the community,” the co-founders say. It’s a place full of heart and passion—one where you can feel at home no matter where you come from.
Discover Bar By East in Marikina and experience signature Filipino cocktails in a space crafted by architects. Follow them at @barbyeast_ on Instagram. Watch out for their new concept, The Jury, along Jupiter Street in Makati.
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Credits
Photography: Bar By East
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
