MORALS – WITH A LITTLE BIT OF MALICE
MORALS & MALICE SOUNDS MORE LIKE the title of an Ang Lee film, but as the name of Cebu's latest watering hole, it does intrigue and makes one want to check it out for good measure. Conceptualized conceived and managed by four young gentlemen from Cebu – including world-renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue, marketing ex Joseph Michael Yu – the lounge bar does not disappoint. It carries a unique concept, it has beautiful interiors that would awe even jaded artists, and has ingeniously crafted cocktails that would get the nod of
The place is divided into two areas – the lounge café (Morals) which is an all-day dining area and the bar (Malice) which opens at 6 p.m. and serves wonderfully crafted cocktails and
pica-pica (bar chow). And they couldn’t be more contrasting in interior design.
Morals is a 25-square-meter lounge area that evokes nature at its most relaxing. One is immediately drawn to the small trees that spring out of the tables and the muted color scheme that interplays green, beige and brown. The glass walls, ingeniously accented by up-cycled Venetian blinds, give the small area a feel of openness.
On the other hand, the 90-square-meter Malice which used to house the Z Bar kept the organic cocoon made of steel, hand-tied bamboo and rattan that was originally designed and crafted by prospect of the artwork being dismantled when the bar closed down gave him an incentive to reopen the place as a new business venture. He revitalized the installation with new lamps, more dramatic lighting and new lounge furniture which makes the place more cozy and dramatic.
“I designed this ten years ago, but it looks like it could have been designed yesterday because it was rooted in nature and not in any particular style. The hand-tied bamboo is made to simulate molecules when they transfer from one state of of matter to .
- ing, is so stunning it would be perfect as a set for a theatrical production at the CCP.
If the interiors provide an exceptional ambience, the stylish drinks certainly complement the unique concept of the place.
“Morals & Malice was created out of personal experiences we’ve each had abroad that we wanted to bring to Cebu, including a widely-practiced craft cocktail culture, while still keeping in touch with our Cebuano roots. This we do by making use of locally sourced and available ingredients in all our specialty drinks, including house infusions not usually found in other places,” explains Paco Rodriguez, Morals & Malice’s marketing and PR director.
“The result is a journey of the senses that starts with the artistic design that speaks volumes of world-class Cebuano creativity,
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