19 East

The food was tasty, though the portions felt small, and the breeze from Laguna de Bay added to the relaxed, cozy atmosphere. 19 East Bar is a bit of a trip from Pasig but still fairly accessible. The staff were friendly and attentive. We had a good time, and Side A Band put on an awesome show that night. I’d likely return and recommend it to family and friends.

I’ve been here twice in 2024 for Armi Millare and Nina, and this is my favorite among the bars I’ve visited, including ones in QC. The crowd is usually well-behaved, and the place feels safe and comfortable. Toilets were clean, and there’s plenty of parking with a guard to help visitors. It’s spacious, with an alfresco area, and could probably fit around 100 people. Food is decent, and prices are reasonable for a bar or club, less expensive than some others. Waze or Google Maps makes it easy to find, though the route via Service Road can be traffic-heavy and congested with motorists.

The FreeStyle concert on 12/27 was chaotic from the start. They had us order outside and take a number, insisting on preorders, but inside nobody knew what we’d ordered. Late arrivals sat along the aisles, and waiters kept tripping over them. FreeStyle finally came on very late and didn’t impress me. For a 1k door charge, the stand-in wasn’t anything special either. Honestly, the group should have taken the holiday off and let a more energetic, talented act have the gig.

I haven’t stayed at the hotel, so I can’t speak to that. I go to 19 East Bar often because it’s near my home. The staff provide excellent service, and there’s good food and weekend music. It’s a little pricey, being an upscale spot where known local and national Filipino bands and singers perform on weekends. Expect a door cover charge of about 1k Philippine pesos, or 20 US dollars.