After making its debut on the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Bars extended 51-100 list at #82 in July 2024, one of the Philippines’ most innovative bars has just opened its third location in bustling BGC. This beloved Melbourne-inspired café and lounge transforms into a bar at night. Originally launched in Alabang in 2019 and later expanding to Estancia Mall in 2022, Southbank Café + Lounge is set to officially open its doors in the vibrant Bonifacio Global City on November 20, 2024. Currently in its soft opening stage, BGC locals and visitors can already enjoy its offerings, which deliver the same quality and flair as its predecessor branches.
The road hasn’t been without its bumps; surviving the pandemic made their 2022 Pasig City expansion to Estancia Mall an achievement and a testament to resilience. With the foundations solidly laid by its partners Patrick Leyble, Wendy Esteban, Martin Espiritu, Stevie Ang, and its executive bartender, Kevin Corales, the BGC branch is poised for success.
The new venue promises good cocktails and a great experience—a blend of tradition and innovation crafted for both the discerning and the daring. This branch is the biggest yet, boasting 85 seats, perfect for larger gatherings. Plus, the spacious bar sets the stage for a more immersive experience and great conversations with the bartenders.
Consistency is Southbank’s keystone, and BGC will be no exception. It’s a welcoming spot for BGC’s business clientele by day, offering quality coffee and meals. It morphs into a bar by night, drawing in the cocktail enthusiasts. A revamped menu features 90% of the food offerings reimagined, and its drink program is currently being updated with 36 ambitious concoctions, which will see its completion in the early part of 2025.
With Kevin, a former chef, at the helm, the bar focuses on culinary cocktails, which is the current trend in the cocktail industry. It utilizes modern techniques and unique flavors, employs rotary evaporators, and uses clarification and distillation methods to create exceptional drinks.
Visitors can enjoy morning coffee options, ranging from espresso and long black coffee (PHP170) to milkshakes (PHP300) and fresh fruit smoothies (PHP300). Signature cocktails include the refreshing Strawyo Haze (PHP 550), made with strawberry distillate, vanilla yogurt distillate, cordial, soda water, and tonic water, as well as the savory Ramen Not Ramen (PHP550), crafted with peanut butter-washed Japanese whisky, soy milk, toasted sesame, orgeat, saline, and Japanese-style chili oil (Rayu). For boozy options, try the Old Fashioned twist, Cosmic Shrooms (PHP550), which features a blend of Cognac, Bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, porcini mushroom distillate, chocolate bitters, dark stout reduction, saline, and is garnished with dark chocolate mousse and mushrooms.
Must-try dishes include Hainanese chicken rice (PHP600), served with poached chicken thigh, ginger scallion, Wenchang glaze, sambal, leeks, and cucumber, and squid aglio olio (PHP580), featuring squid ink linguine pasta, shaved squid, garlic, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp roe, and Parmigiano. Quick snacks include birria katsu sando (PHP600) with milk bread, pulled beef cutlet, mozzarella, cilantro cream, and consommé. Make sure to leave room for dessert! An exclusive must-try for the BGC branch is their soft-serve ice cream.
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According to its founders, BGC is one of the most popular destinations in Metro Manila for foreign visitors. Southbank aims to offer an elevated coffee, food, and cocktail experience, showcasing the hospitality and creativity of Filipinos to the world.
Southbank Café + Lounge BGC branch is open from Sunday to Wednesday, 7am to 12am, and Thursday to Saturday, 7am to 2am. It is located at the World Plaza Building, 5th Avenue, BGC, Taguig City. Visit southbankcafelounge.com for more information, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @southbankcafelounge.
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