Cover Fat Cat, Tatler Best Philippines's Bar of the Year 2025
Fat Cat, Tatler Best Philippines's Bar of the Year 2025
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Fat Cat’s owner and self-taught bartender Ronald Cruz shares how their humble, simple, small bar nestled in an old mall, has outshone the best of them
It’s funny how we often like to go out for a drink and yet look for a place where we can feel right at home. That seems to be what Makati cocktail bar Fat Cat had going for it as it bested some of the country’s glitziest and most popular watering holes to become Tatler Best Bar of the Year 2025.
Located next to a gadget repair shop in Makati Central Square (MCS), one has first to spot the painted sign on the wall and then go up a narrow stairwell to get to the small establishment run by husband and wife team Ronald and Felice “Fifi” Cruz. Designed to be an extension of their home, guests seldom have to think twice about coming for a round or three precisely because they leave you with little reason why you should not. Guests top by at any time of their choosing from early to late, to drop by to pre-game or for one last round. While there, order one of the signature cocktails like the mushroom-forward It Never Entered My Mind, or have Ron fix you up something classic like a Negroni or martini made just the way you like it.
Above Fat Cat, Tatler Best Philippines's Bar of the Year 2025
Fat Cat, Tatler Best Philippines's Bar of the Year 2025
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The scene is relaxed and this is how the Cruzes want it and keep it, which they admit is one of the reasons their regulars keep coming back. While we, too, are clearly Fat Cat converts, we chatted up Ronald to learn more about what got them here and also how they are growing their operation.
Who are the people behind Fat Cat and their different roles in the company?
Fat Cat is run by me and my wife, Fifi. We’re a super small and lean team so we basically do everything. I handle the bar programme, while she makes sure everything else doesn’t fall apart!
What makes Fat Cat different from other bars? Please also share a bit about your journey.
The best thing about Fat Cat is the community. As most people know, we started with zero experience in F&B, which, in hindsight, is difficult...to say the least, but the community welcomed us with open arms and let us grow. We owe everything to our patrons and regulars.
See also: 10 essential Thai ingredients for creating Thai dishes at home
Above Fat Cat, Tatler Best Philippines's Bar of the Year 2025
Fat Cat, Tatler Best Philippines's Bar of the Year 2025
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What are the pros and cons of running a cocktail bar in Makati, specifically in your area?
One of the best things about being in Makati Cinema Square is of course, its inherent charm. It’s a relic of a bygone era, and a lot of people are quite nostalgic about the place. It even used to house the PR company that I worked for, copywriting decades ago, so it has a special place in my heart. Having parking is also a plus. A con would be, since it’s an old building, you get old building problems.
How has Fat Cat contributed to the bar scene in your area?
We don’t want to assume it’s because of us, but we’d like to say that we helped make the general area livelier. Nokal was the first one to make the move to MCS and we’re just the second.
What are your future plans for Fat Cat?
We actually opened up two new spots beside Fat Cat! We have Cattery, an NPR Tiny Desk-esque space and El Gato which offers a lot of agave spirits but not limited to it. And, yes, more cats.
Jaclyn Clemente Koppe is a food and lifestyle writer, as well as a consultant to some of the country’s beloved food and beverage brands. Her passion for food and drink is only surpassed by her devotion to her family, most especially to her soulmate, Pepa the poodle.
