Bar 27: Manila’s Newest Sky Lounge at Diamond Hotel
Diamond Hotel Philippines has just opened the newest and hippest bar and lounge in Manila offering breathtaking views of the city and the bay. The nightlife in Manila can be quite hectic, especially with the harrowing traffic along the busy streets of Roxas Boulevard. Bar 27 lets you rise above all the stress and worries of the city, 27 floors above it to be precise, as it offers the perfect sky-high spot to hang out with friends or business acquaintances over refreshing drinks and fancy cocktails.
Bar 27 is located at the penthouse floor of Diamond Hotel Philippines along Roxas Boulevard. This well-loved hotel is best known for its award-winning dining establishments including Corniche, its all-day dining cafe, and the very elegant and mesmerizing Yukakuen Japanese Restaurant. Now, long-time patrons of the hotel will surely have another reason to keep coming back as the bar previously called Sky Lounge Music Bar has finally reopened and transformed to the more chic and sophisticated Bar 27.
After a five-month renovation period, Bar 27 is finally open to the public. This luxury hotel lounge opens daily at 5:00pm and is a great place to bring a date for the perfect sunset shot. The bar is perfectly accentuated with modish couches complemented with contemporary and stylish cocktail tables. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows surround the entire lounge, showering it with natural light which becomes even more magical during the golden hour.
Bar 27 has an inviting ambiance highlighted with a stunning view of the vibrant cityscape below. The rush hour traffic can be quite daunting but you can take delight in being high above the noise and stress of the city.
There are several spots to choose from throughout the lounge. The long table near the entrance is better for more casual drinking groups who want a relaxing place to unwind.
The best seats in the house are probably the colorful sofas in the center facing the stage. This is where you can spend the entire evening chatting with friends over good food and good music.
The more serious drinkers can also just go straight to the bar area. Here is where you can see their "falling leaves" chandelier which creates a dramatic scene along with the beautiful onyx bar counter, lit with a warm golden yellow hue.
Bar 27 offers a comprehensive menu of the finest cocktails, freshest mocktails, signature wines and best craft beers in the city. They have a fixed price for all cocktails at just P420 nett per glass. Guests who are less adventurous can choose to have their order as a mocktail instead for just P380 nett. I really like the quirky names they call their cocktails, which they have grouped according to the level of intoxication you desire.
It was just around sunset so we decided to have some “Chill” cocktails first to start our relaxing evening at Bar 27.
These refreshing cocktails will serve to loosen up your spirits and get you ready for a night of fun and entertainment. Read Between the Gin (left) comes with a combination of Pimm’s #1, lemon, lime, mint, cucumber, plus orange and Sprite. If you prefer something cool and chill, you can never go wrong with a Manila Bay Sunrise (middle), a perfect mix of tequila, orange juice and grenadine syrup. Take a plunge with Cool As A Cucumber (right) made from rum, lime juice, simple syrup and mint leaves.
Bar 27 not only offers the finest drinks and cocktails, they also provide live music and entertainment throughout the night. Situated at the center of the lounge is an elevated stage exclusive for live acoustic and jazz renditions for a soothing vibe. Performers are scheduled daily from 9:00pm all the way to 1:00am.
But you can’t enjoy cocktails on an empty stomach, so Bar 27 also offers bar chow to go with your exquisite beverages. A palatable selection of a la carte menu items are available which starts with a complimentary bowl of salted peanuts.
The Gambas al Ajillo (P725) was my absolute favorite snack item with its huge shrimps lathered in garlic, chili and extra virgin olive oil. I think I finished one or two orders all by myself.
They also have fluffy Croquetas (P345) which are loaded with Iberico, chicken, and saffron aioli. Chorizo lovers should get the Salsiccia (P390) with its thick Chorizo slices cooked in red wine with tomatoes and garlic. It is a little bit spicy, but not too much that I can’t handle.
The Bruschetta (P260) is another appetizing treat topped with tomato, sardines, bocconcini, basil and balsamic. On the other hand, the Prosciutto and Melon (P250) is a unique and interesting combination with Parma ham on top of a sweet melon. I initially thought it was bread or cheese but I was surprised when I bit into a slice of melon. It’s sweet and salty all in one bite.
For bigger groups, you can choose some of their Sharing platters like the Cheese Board (P895) which is filled with assorted international cheeses, brioche, dried fruits and nuts. This is also suited for the wine enthusiasts who can match their favorite wine with cheese.
Ham lovers should go for the Chef's Tasting - Jamon Experience (P895) which is a combination of Iberico Bellota, San Daniele parma ham and Serrano ham plus an assortment of dried fruits and nuts.
One off-the-menu item served to us that evening is this Crunchy Anchovies plate which turned out to be a big hit with everyone. The crispy and tasty bits are so good, especially when dipped into vinegar. This “pulutan” should go well with just about any beer, wine, or cocktail.
Now that we have filled out tummies, its time to try out the “Upbeat” cocktails on the menu. The most interesting should be the Smoking Gun with its Bourbon Whiskey, Campari and Sweet Vermouth. What makes it different is that a smoke gun is first used to fill the bottle with smoke infused with the aroma of various wood chips and ingredients.
The glass of Smoking Gun results in a deeper smoky flavor. Ask the barista to prepare this for you and sit at the bar so you can witness how he creates this signature cocktail.
Other Upbeat cocktails include the Sexy in the City (left) which is their version of the ladies’ drink Cosmopolitan made from citrus vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec and lime juice. For a more manly beverage, try the Johnny Be Good (right) which is a version of the classic Old Fashioned. It comes with Johnny Walker Whiskey, sugar cubes, angostura bitters and soda water.
There is also an eclectic array of wines to choose from like red, white and sparkling. The bar also specializes in beers such as draft, double chill and imported beers. If you have a particular cocktail in mind, you can just Trust the Bartender (P780) and he will create your own personal cocktail suited to your tastes. The Blowjob (upper left) and the Frozen Baileys (upper right) are some of the cocktails we asked the bartender to prepare. But since I am not allowed to drink too much anymore, I just asked for a healthier Cranberry Juice (lower right) for myself.
If you really want to “Party”, then go for the Hasta La Vista created from Bacardi Silver, Bacardi Gold, Bacardi 151, Maraschino Liqueur, passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice and aromatic bitters. My date ordered this as his parting cocktail and took several photos of the drink but this is the best that came out. I guess he really enjoyed all the cocktails at Bar 27. If you are looking for a relaxing lounge with great ambiance and lively music to spend the evening, head over to Bar 27 in Diamond Hotel Philippines where you can party at the top of the city!
Bar 27
27/F Diamond Hotel Philippines, Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila
