Discover the latest gem in Poblacion, Makati. The latest is the Fil-Mex bar Almacen
Almacen brings new excitement to the Poblacion scene
Makati’s Poblacion district has never been short of watering holes to flock to every weekend. From themed bars pouring artisanal cocktails with liquor sourced from an exotic far-off country to new wave resto-bars serving dishes with reduction sauces over sous-vide meats cooked for over 48 hours. Each new concept in this bustling nightlife district expends a tremendous amount of effort to shine and distinguish themselves from one another, pulling out every trick they can think of to bring something fresh to the area’s denizens. With a new spot popping up almost every month, it is a great challenge to stand out and catch the crowd’s eye. And for the most part, it’s been a hit or miss. But every now and then, a new place opens, creating a buzz without even seemingly trying.
Almacen on Mathilde St. has been making a hefty name for itself since opening back in May of this year. With its bright colors and straightforward menu, a packed house on weekend nights has been a certainty for this nightlife neophyte. The Mexican themed bar is the brainchild of Forefront, Inc., the same group behind Unit 27 in Eastwood and Studio 28 in BGC. Serving as the collective’s culmination of lessons from their first two concepts, Almacen is the group’s take on what a night out in Poblacion should be.
A POP OF COLOR
At first sight, their entrance hints very little of the establishment’s true vibrancy. A wooden exterior and a double staircase leading up to a massive double door is the first semblance of an entrance you’ll see. On the ground, between the two flights of stairs sits a wooden door that you wouldn’t think of entering since the double doors above seem more like a proper entryway. A lit sign of Almacen’s logo, a skull with a mustache and sombrero embellished with intense strokes of primary colors, greets you as you walk up the steps—a colorful cue of what awaits inside.
Through the double doors, you’re met with many points of interest—a mounted bicycle on the wall next to a mural of a festive skeleton carrying a boombox, dart machines placed next to wall art of clockwork machinery and a mix-match of decorative license plates, posters and street signs. Eclectic and appealing, the place gives the vibe of a storage room of a well-traveled collector. A befitting interior when you realize that almacen means "warehouse” in Spanish.
Bar stools and barrel tables fill the rest of the upper floor. The bar is situated on one corner while couches and coffee tables
occupy the corners for more laidback patrons, although laidback isn’t really what you go for in Almacen—especially when the DJ booth also occupies this floor. They host nightly DJs with a specific theme for each day of the week. Throwback 90s on Mondays, Tropical House on Wednesdays, Hip Hop and R&B on Thursdays, and Top 40s on Fridays and Sundays.
What you’ll notice after basking in the rustic feel of the upper floor is the neon gleam of a stairwell leading to the ground floor. This is where Almacen’s true colors are seen. Neon signs of different hues scattered all across the walls, giving this level an effervescent feel—a brighter ambiance compared to the wood heavy upper floor. Notable features on this floor include their Beer-Killa bar which offers their signature drink and is a prime spot for taking photos. There’s also the "Fotoautomatica” booth for taking selfies against a backdrop of vintage movie posters. If the upper floor is meant for drinking to dance, this floor is for drinking to relax. The differences of both floors create two distinct drinking experiences in one place, providing the luxury of choice to suit one’s current mood.
And when you reach the end of your night, you can stumble out through an exit door on the ground floor. There you’ll find yourself outside in-between the double staircase. realizing that the double door above isn’t the only way in.
CHILLED SHOTS AND CLASSIC COCKTAILS
Neon signs aside, another one of Almacen’s claim to fame is their drinks—specifically their Beer-Killa. A slush mix of beer and tequila, the Beer-Killa is a sweet refreshing drink that goes well with Manila’s humid hot nights. You wouldn’t notice their deadly contents at first but after a few shots, the poison makes its presence felt. They serve two versions of the slushie, the regular made from San Miguel Pale Pilsen and tequila while the second one, called the Reaper, is made from Red Horse and tequila. This combination of drinks is a testament to Almacen’s fusion of Filipino and Mexican elements. Other than their signature drink, the rest of their bar menu consists of cocktails from their Studio 28 staples. Standouts include the Sangria, Amaretto Sour and Agwa Bomb.
BEYOND BAR CHOW
Almacen’s mix of Filipino and Mexican elements is most explicit in their food menu. Chef Francis Tolentino aimed at creating a rich, flavorful menu that can balance their fresh drinks. Luckily, Filipino and Mexican are just the cuisines you need for the required dish roster.
A highlight in their menu that showcases their Fil-Mex fusion of flavors is their burrito options. Their Beef Pares Burrito is a sweet and rich treat that highlights the sweet beef from the pares and pairing it with savory mushroom rice and salted egg bits while the Longganisa Burrito is also a standout with its sharp garlicky Cabanatuan longganisa. Another dish to try is their elotes, which gets its Filipino twist in the form of binatog. You can have it served on the cob or in a cup, the sweet corn kernels drenched in butter and topped with grated cheese is perfect with a beer or with their Reaper Beer-Killa.
Overall, Almacen is a strong addition to Poblacion’s already rich roster of bars. The minds behind Forefront, Inc. have clearly made their third concept specifically with Poblacion in mind. An amalgamation of everything you look for in the district—good drinks, delicious food and truly immersive interiors. Its no-frills concept of fun and laid back drinking partnered with their creative blending of Filipino and Mexican flavors guarantee an exciting Makati night out.
Almacen is located in 5910b Matilde Street Corner Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati. For table reservations, you contact them at (977) 291 1920