GOOD VIBRATIONS
This group of friends are heating up Manila’s nighttime scene
There was a time when the cool places to go drink and chill in Manila were few and far between. Nowadays, there’s a speakeasy in every corner and many restos have taken the habit of turning their establishments into lounges when the clock hits happy hour. With all the choices now, how does one keep things different without trying too hard? The cool cats from Forefront Lifestyle Group seem to have the answer.
The group, described by Chairman and CEO Francis Flores as “friends who are also family,” are made up of Rex Daguno Rambo Nuñez Ortega, Rolio Espinos, Ping De Jesus, Simon Greatwich, Luis Puno, Yoshi Uy, Jerik Santos, Miguel Jimenez, Francis Flores, Mike Carandang and Denise Villanueva. They’re the brains behind popular hangouts such as Studio 28, Unit 27, Loft by Unit 27 and Almacen.
It all started when Francis had this idea of an apartment bar. “At the back of my mind I always wanted to open a bar. I like the idea where people can connect,” he says. “For me personally, it’s one of my favorite ways to unwind after a stressful day at the office.” With this in mind, he designed his BGC condominium—unit 26—into a hangout for him and his friends. Thankfully, like him, his friends are all the kind of bright young things who tend to push the envelope when it comes to bringing ideas to life. The result of his experiment was Unit 27, a BGC bar that looked exactly like Francis’ own place. That quickly became a go-to bar for people in the area—creatives, yuppies, hipsters and partyphiles all converged there nightly. Because it became quite the success, the group, then only composed of the original four of Francis, Mike, Chef Francis and Rambo, decided to take the next logical step, which was to expand. More people came in—friends of friends who shared the group’s idea of what made a good time. The result was Studio 28, a live music studio cum gin bar for an older crowd. Here, the mood is decidedly more chilled out and conversations abound. “During the day you can use this place to record music videos,” says Francis of Studio 28. Indeed, with its striking red door, chandeliers and distinct styling, it feels like a ready-made set.
For their next concept, Almacen, the inspiration came from two popular Mexican-themed bars in Bali. After barcrawling for weeks, the Forefront Lifestyle Group discovered what made the Poblacion crowd tick. A younger crowd that had bohemian leanings, the kitschy Almacen, with its tequila-and-beer menu was a surefire hit. Just as quickly as the two other bars, this baby quickly gained loyal patrons.
Most recently, the group opened Loft by Unit 27 in Eastwood, which, Francis describes, as closer to his initial idea of an apartment bar. Why does this home bar concept stand so strong? “There’s no place like home,” says Francis. “The best place to socialize with friends would be at home.”
So whether you’re in the mood for shots and dancing until the wee hours or a private party with a custom menu, the Forefront Lifestyle Group has got the place you desire. And everyone is welcome, from the stressed out office worker to the laidback hipster to the partyphiles. The only requirement is good vibes.