Cover The Maximo cocktail from Ruby’s, a newly-opened lounge within Max’s Restaurant in Scout Tuazon, Quezon City
The Maximo cocktail from Ruby’s, a newly-opened lounge within Max’s Restaurant in Scout Tuazon, Quezon City
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Before heading out for a night on the town in Quezon City, check out our picks for the city’s best bars, from a lively jazz bar to a cosy wine bar that’s quickly become a neighbourhood favourite
A town as large and diverse as Quezon City can be difficult to navigate. But as any local will tell you, the sprawling city is filled with quality restaurants and bars—you just have to find them. Below, we highlight six of our favourite bars in Quezon City, from a lively jazz hub known for its impressive local lineups, to a contemporary space that gives new meaning to G&Ts, and even a 12-seater lounge found within The House That Fried Chicken Built.
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1. Ruby’s
Above The 1945 from Ruby’s: a spin on the Paloma made with tequila reposado, mezcal, passionfruit syrup, muddled basil, and soda water
The 1945 from Ruby’s: a spin on the Paloma made with tequila reposado, mezcal, passionfruit syrup, muddled basil, and soda water
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Location: Max’s Restaurant, Scout Tuazon, Quezon City
Nestled within the first Max’s Restaurant is Ruby’s: a chic, laid-back bar and lounge honouring the one and only Ruby Trota. As niece to Maximo Gimenez, founder of the famed Max’s empire, Trota took the helm of the kitchen and is the woman to credit for its iconic fried chicken recipe. At just 21 sqm, Ruby’s seats only 12 guests, fostering a cosy, intimate atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. This is all by design, an idea envisioned by the Max’s team and brought to life with the help of architect Sarah Canlas. Their efforts have created a space that emulates Trota’s generosity and warmth.
Curated by beverage consultant Mandrake Ferrer, the lean but thoughtful cocktail menu celebrates the rich history of the Max’s brand. The Maximo, named after Gimenez himself, has become a fast favourite: try their take on the dirty martini with butter-washed gin, mirepoix, Cointreau, celery and orange bitters, and as a fitting twist, chicken broth. Ruby’s also serves quality coffee care of Standard Supply (Yardstick Coffee’s B2B arm), as well as some nostalgic bar chow like lumpia bites and liempo chips.
Tatler Tip: Ask about their off-menu cocktail: a milk-washed concoction with coffee-infused Aperol, vanilla, rum, and cinnamon.
Read more: Ruby’s QC: The chic new lounge that honours the woman behind Max’s fried chicken
2. Recraft
Location: 39 Scout Tobias, Quezon City
Recraft (stylised as ReCraft) is a well-established name in the bar industry, led by acclaimed bartender and beverage consultant Cedric Mendoza. After the closure of their New Manila home and a pop-up at Scout Rallos, the team is back alive and kicking at their new home along Scout Tobias, bringing you the same knack for creative cocktails you know and love from the Broadway Avenue original.
In this larger space (with al fresco seating to boot), you’ll also find a larger food menu with smaller snacks like chips and dips as well as more substantial options like the chori burger.
3. Bar Flora
Location: 49 Scout Rallos, Quezon City
Dive into the vibrant world of gin and tea at Bar Flora (stylised as Bar.Flora), a contemporary bar dressed in tropical earth tones that focuses on gin, teas, and aromatic botanicals. Their gin and tea cocktails put a new spin on the term G&T—try the GDT for a fruity, tea-forward pick with white tea, gin, triple sec, lychee tincture, mandarin orange tanghulu, or opt for a boozier cocktail like the Dragon Rouge, made with Grey Dragon-infused gin, Cocchi Americano, Dolin Rouge, Bolivar bitters, and elderflower.
Bar Flora also offers alcohol-free “tea tails”, and hosts a series of tea tastings, workshops, and other fun activities from 4pm to 6pm. In addition, chef Tana Picar cooks up a range of dishes from high tea bites to hearty mains, drawing inspiration from the world’s flavours to create a menu that complements their cocktails. Visit Bar Flora to try out their newly launched menu which features mushroom uni tartlets, an ikura steak rice bowl, piña colada fried ice cream, and more.
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4. Tago Jazz Cafe
Location: 14 Main Avenue, Quezon City
Spot some of your favourite local artists at Tago Jazz Cafe, a café-slash-bar boasting an impressive lineup of live music, from OPM to blues, funk, and of course, jazz. Looking for a specific genre? Be sure to check their social media pages to see their roster for the upcoming weekend.
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5. Toka Wine
Location: 141 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
When in search of unique, memorable wines, look no further than Toka Wine: an easygoing wine bar along Katipunan Avenue boasting over 200 wines from small producers, plus a handful of cocktails and a timeless listing of small plates, too. Run by Butz Tenchavez of Gran Hacienda Wines, this neighbourhood favourite makes wine approachable and fun, championing organic wines with an attractive quality-price ratio (QPR). Rest assured, you’ll be getting your money’s worth.
Toka Wine has also gained popularity for its #WillHost chef incubator series. Here, they feature up-and-coming culinary talents by inviting them to take over the kitchen for around two weeks. During this time, expect new and exclusive dishes from the city’s most promising young chefs—previous takeovers include Luis Locsin, Chris Lansang, and Mark Dee.
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6. Bar Mogano
Location: 104 Scout Alcaraz, Quezon City
Bar Mogano is a sleek pocket of Italy in the middle of Quezon City. Hidden within Narra Bistro and Cafe, the charming bar is home to Italian classics such as espresso martinis, spritzes, and aperitifs, as well as contemporary cocktails inspired by the flavours of Italy.
Hungry? They also have some Italian bites like calamari fritti, baked brie and crostini, or a burrata pizzette.
About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
