When I was in college, what were popular were disco bars where you couldn’t barely hear one another and get wasted AF. But it's the era of millennials and I believe this generation has a good grip of mixing the old and the new. Night-outs tend to be more relaxed or chill, where you can just sit, chat and enjoy a drink or two.
I promised one of my best college friends that I will take her with me on my quest in discovering Manila's secret bars. So one Saturday when I had dinner with her and another good college friend of ours who's back in Manila from Canada I decided to take them to this secret bar one of my foodie acquaintance told me about. I tried doing a quick research about it while we were eating our dinner. I'm familiar with BGC but it has changed so much that I really don't know where this building is or what streets are so and so.
All I know is that Bank Bar MNL can be located in one of the doors inside a convenience store at the ground floor of RCBC Building on 26th Ave. So we flagged down a cab, asked the driver to take us to that location. Upon entering the convenience store my eyes were already searching for "the door" and then I saw a guy standing outside a door, he was wearing all black and looks like a club bouncer, so I guessed tis was the door that leads to Bank Bar MNL. We approached and he opened the door and let us in.
Upon opening the door, you will find yourself in some sort of storage room full of spices and condiments. Walk some more and part the curtain, and you'll be on your way inside. Pretty cool huh? No password needed but just some of your Sherlock Holmes skills. Most tables need to be reserved beforehand so if you don't have a reservation, you have to just find a comfy spot to stand or if you're lucky a space by the bar might be available.
Bank Bar MNL is by far one of the most sophisticated secret bars I've been to. It has a high-ceiling with a handful of tables/chairs to lounge around while having some drinks and listening to chill music. Though Bank Bar is more on the modern and industrial side when it comes to interiors than a true and authentic speakeasy. Millennial yuppies and generation X in class A and B frequent this place (both local and foreigners), so it gives you that posh and hip LA or New York bar vibes so better dress up if you plan to visit.
