Alibi Lounge & Bar Offers Classy and Distinguished Drinking Experience in the South
I just found the perfect Alibi... and it’s hidden all the way in Alabang. Of course, I’m talking about the newest speakeasy that is becoming a well-known secret among gin and cocktails lovers in the south. My long trek from Quezon City was worth it because this new lounge and bar in Crimson Filinvest City has now become one of my favorite gin hangouts in the metro.
Alibi Lounge & Bar opened last November 12 with a quintessential 1920's prohibition feel when the art of crafting cocktails was born. You can find this charming bar at the ground floor of Entrata Urban Complex, near the entrance to Crimson Hotel in Filinvest City where I often had my staycations whenever I wanted to travel in this area (Read: Stylish Alabang Staycation at Crimson Hotel). Alibi Lounge and Bar is open from 5:00pm to 1:00am from Tuesdays to Saturdays. The Hungry Kat was invited to check out this new destination last week and I was thrilled to discover another hidden gem for myself.
It’s actually not so easy to find Alibi Lounge and Bar, unless you know the secret. There’s a hidden entrance inside the complex near the Crimson Hotel lobby, but you will have to ask for the keycode password first before you can enter. Give them a message if you want to find the answer.
Once you get inside the bar, you are transported to a forgotten era where you can throw all your inhibitions outside the window. I really like the bar’s charming and elegant interiors which speaks of luxury and class. Vinyl records are also on display and there’s a record player right there if you want to listen to some classic tunes.
For those who can’t get the passcode, don’t worry because there’s actually another entrance right outside the al fresco area of Entrata Mall. You won’t find any signages for the bar though, but it is just beside Firehouse Pizza which is another signature dining establishment managed by Crimson Hotel. Guests can opt to enjoy their drinks outside as there are also seats and sofas set up here.
But I would still recommend having your cocktails and beverages right where the action is. You can sit at the bar area and witness first hand how their expert bartenders create your favorite glass.
Alibi Lounge and Bar has a very extensive list of gins, which is actually my poison of choice. The first thing I ordered was a refreshing glass of Gin & Tonic. I asked them to pour their best one for me and it did not disappoint.
They have a promotion called the Molly Pitcher Club which sets the scene for an epic ladies night out with unlimited Beefeater Gin & Tonic cocktails from Tuesday to Saturday between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
Alibi Lounge and Bar is not just for the ladies because they have several strong cocktails for the men as well. The stylish bar menu lists cocktails with ABVs (Alcohol by Volume) of up to 33%, so they are really serious with their drinks.
The Peat, Meat And Greet (P500) comes with a grandiose display to complement your drinking experience. This savory and nutty cocktail is first placed inside this box which is then filled with smoke to enhance the aromas and flavors of the whiskey.
It comes with a combination of Jim Beam and Laphroaig whiskeys together with brown butter, sugar, black pepper, and a piece of bacon hanging on top. Anything is always better with bacon, and that includes cocktails. Its 23% ABV is surely a good way to start the evening.
There are many other options to choose from, like the Whisper Sister (P450) with its Chamomile tea-infused Tanqueray gin and lemon oleo. This was a lovely drink as well to perfectly set the mood.
Another eye-catching concoction is the Lucid Fluid (P400). This one comes with Bombay Sapphire, activated charcoal, pineapple, salted coconut, sugar, and coconut water. It’s a light and fruity drink that also has a few health benefits, so it’s actually good for you!
Then there’s Mary Pickford (P400) (24% ABV), a pretty glass made with rum, maraschino, grenadine, and pineapple. This cocktail first appeared in print in 1928 with Basil Woon’s cocktail book “When it’s Cocktail time in Cuba” and again in the 1930 edition of “The Savoy Cocktail Book” by legendary bartender Harry Craddock. You can find these little tidbits and history on their bar menu.
Make way for the Monkey Gland (P550) (22% ABV) as it comes with gin, orange, grenadine, and absinthe. This was created in the 1920’s by Harry MacElhone at his Harry’s New York bar in Paris.
On the other hand, the Boulevardier (P600) (25% ABV) has bourbon, sweet vermouth, and campari. A cocktail of the same name was created by Erskine Gwynne, publisher of “Boulevardier”, a magazine for expats living in Paris during the 1920’s. It was popularized after it was included in 1927 book “Barflies and Cocktails” by Harry MacElhone.
We’re going up the ABV ladder with these two heavyweights. The Martinez (P650) (31% ABV) has a combination of gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino, and aromatic bitters. Its origin is unclear but it first appeared in print in the 1884 book “The Modern Bartender’s Guide” by O.H. Byron. Lastly, the Manhattan (P450) (33% ABV) packs a powerful punch with its bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
You can pair your cocktails with Alibi Lounge and Bar’s appetizers, bar chows, and main courses. The Assorted Cheese (P550) comes with Bleu d’Auvergne, Comte, goat cheese, and brie together with mixed nuts.
I highly recommend the Toasted Brioche with Prawns (P500) which comes with chives and lemon butter. The buttery bite-sized sandwiches are a good companion to any of their beverages.
You can also get the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (P350) to munch on. These crunchy chicken thighs are deep-fried in popcorn powder and basil.
Another tasty treat is their Assorted Homemade Sausage (P500) which comes with beef and lamb, pork, and chicken sausages. It also comes with a basket of french fries.
For those who want a meatier option, go for the Wagyu Beef Cubes Salpicao (P500) with its Wagyu sirloin steak and fried garlic chips in Worcestershire sauce. I really wanted to eat this with rice if I could.
If the bar chows are enough for you, diners at Alibi Lounge and Bar can also cross-order from its neighbor Firehouse Pizza. The Seafood Penne Alfredo (P240) is one of their delicious and cheesy pasta options.
Better yet, order a whole pizza for the entire table. The Firehouse Burrata Pizza (P550) is their signature pizza with a big piece of burrata on top. I already tried this once before and I really love its combination of toppings highlighted by the burrata cheese.
Those living in the south now have a speakeasy to call their own that can rival any of the more popular bars in Makati and BGC. Alibi Lounge and Bar is a hidden sanctuary that is sure to be not-so-hidden soon enough. Make sure to check it out now while people are still looking for the password. I’ve already told you the secret.
Alibi Lounge & Bar
G/F Entrata Urban Complex, Civic Drive, Filinvest City, Alabang
Crimson Hotel & Resorts Launches Happy Summer 2019
The summer season is already here and you can really feel it in the air. Aside from the intense heat these past few days, everybody seems to be excited to put their traveling shoes on and head to the beach. Boracay has finally reopened while Mactan in Cebu is also a good summer destination. Of course, going on an extended staycation is also a relaxing and pleasant activity, so Crimson Hotels and Quest Hotels has lined up some exciting promotions to welcome this busy season.
Chroma Hospitality, the hotel and resort arm of the Filinvest Group, has just launched “Hello Summer 2019″ with the hottest offers from destinations in Mactan, Manila, Clark, Cebu, Tagaytay and Boracay! With their portfolio of proudly distinct brands under Crimson Hotels and Quest Hotels, expect a wild and adventurous summer enjoying their cosmopolitan city hotels and luxurious beach destinations.
It’s time to sizzle this summer! Book direct at www.crimsonhotel.com using the promo code HELLOSUMMER and check out their awesome deals. Book your summer package with stay dates from March 15 to June 30, 2019 and get a chance to win round-trip tickets for two to international destinations such as Hongkong, Macau, Kota Kinabalu, Siem Reap and local destinations like Puerto Princesa and Cebu care of Cebu Pacific. Each night of stay will be entitled to 1 raffle coupon.
Crimson Filinvest City held a summer launch party last March 7 at The Deck Bar poolside to celebrate the start of Hello Summer 2019. Guests were treated to a barbecue pool party complete with summer hats and overflowing cocktails. This is a such great way to welcome summer!
There was lots food and drinks for everyone. Burgers, popcorn, pizza, and hot-off-the-grill items such as salmon, sausages, chicken, and pork barbecues were on the table.
Desserts were also plentiful with cream puffs, beer cake, revel bars, fruits, and more.
Chroma Hospitality VP for sales & marketing Carmela Bocanegra opened the program by announcing the exciting promotions and activities for the summer season. All properties under Crimson Hotels and Quest Hotels have their own respective promotions which you can find on www.crimsonhotel.com. Here are some of my favorites.
Crimson Hotel Filinvest City is an urban sanctuary housed in a stunning tower complex right in the heart of Alabang. I have had plenty of relaxing stays here in the past few years, so guests can definitely experience a blissful vacation with their summer staycation deals. The Cityholic package starts at P3,840++ and includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room, a Hello Summer collection, and complimentary access to the swimming pool and fitness center.
You can also get other packages like the Do Not Disturb at P5,440++ which includes a buffet breakfast for two persons at Café Eight or a breakfast in bed. This also comes with your choice of one additional freebie such as a relaxing massage for two, premium movie tickets for two, Happy Hour for two at the Deck Bar, or two Summer Cocktails at the Lobby Lounge. If you want a longer stay, the Oasis in the South starts at P8,800++ with three days and two nights in a Deluxe Room with buffet breakfast. An Urban Glampcation is also available at P9,600++ which comes with an overnight stay in two connecting Premier Rooms, glamping set-up for kids, buffet breakfast for two, Hello Summer collection, and choice of one additional freebie. Guests also get a chance to win round-trip tickets for two to Kota Kinabalu for every night stay.
March is National Women’s Month so Crimson Hotel Filinvest City honors fearless women with its #BOSSBABE campaign. Ladies who rise up to challenges and take on the world are offered with special dining treats. Café Eight treats all its female guests this March with a 50% discount on its lunch and dinner buffet. The Women Who Dine special buffet promotion lets the ladies seize the day with powerful gastronomy for as low as P737++ per person.
An art exhibition will also highlight the colorful world of women. Showcasing the society of female artists who exude talent and confidence, the United Women Artists Association of the Philippines (UWAAP), in partnership with Crimson Hotel Filinvest City is holding an art exhibit in commemoration of the Women's Month. The FilipinArt Exhibit will run from March 8-22, 2019 at the hotel’s Gallery.
Over in Cebu, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan is giving us plenty of reasons to love summer even more. The Summer Daze package comes with a welcome drink, two nights room accommodation for two adults and two children; buffet breakfast at Saffron Café; complimentary one-hour use of the Karaoke Room in Score Sports Bar; complimentary mini bar items; use of snorkeling gears; a 15-minute foot massage by the poolside; and P500.00 cash rebate per room per night which may be used for airport transfers, meals in the restaurants, spa services and sports and leisure activities.
Rate for the Summer Daze promotion starts at P15,000++ for two nights. Book the Summer Daze from March 15 to June 15, 2019, and you can also get a chance to win a roundtrip ticket for two to Macau in partnership with Cebu Pacific. I have dined at Crimson Mactan before, but I have yet to stay at their villas, so this package is a great opportunity for me to finally do so.
I visited Crimson Boracay last year just before the island was closed for rehabilitation. Now that Boracay is back open this summer, Crimson Boracay is offering generous Hello Summer packages starting at P11,500++ per night for their Deluxe Room category. Aside from their usual inclusions of complimentary mini bar upon arrival, welcome drinks, roundtrip transfers via Caticlan, and daily breakfast for two at Saffron, those who will avail of this promotion will also be treated to sunset cocktails for two persons at Azure Beach Club or J’s Pool Bar from 3pm to 6pm.
For a luxurious holiday, guests may also book Crimson Boracay’s Villa with Plunge Pool – a private space that offers indulgence at its finest. Aside from the usual inclusions, Villa guests are given the utmost attention to detail with their own Villa Host, dedicated to take care of their needs during their stay as well as an added buffet dinner for two at Saffron. You can avail of these packages from March 15 to June 30, 2019 and you will also have a chance to win two round trip tickets to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Quest Hotel and Conference Center Clark is a 4-star hotel nestled within the beautifully landscaped Mimosa Leisure Estate. It offers a 36-hole championship golf course, a casino, and a hub for duty free shopping. The Love Summer at Clark package starts at P4,950 nett and comes with an overnight stay, buffet breakfast for two at Cafe Mequeni, a scoop of hello summer gelato, and other summer treats.
The first Quest Hotel and Conference Center in Cebu is offering the Summer Safari at Quest Cebu starting at P3,550 nett which comes with an overnight stay, buffet breakfast for two at Puso Bistro & Bar, hello summer cocktail at the Pool Bar, and 20% discount on the Bar Chow menu. It also gives special discounts such as a discounted admission fee of P680 to the Cebu Safari; 10% discount on adventure rides; and 50% discount on mermaid hair or multi color styles at Mira Beauty by Design.
Last but not the least, the newest Quest Hotel is located in Tagaytay and conveniently situated just beside the Fora Mall near the Rotunda. Opening in April 2019, the Do Something Cool with Your Summer promotion from Quest Hotel Tagaytay starts at P3,900 nett for an overnight tay in a Deluxe Room and buffet breakfast for two at Cafe Q.
Now is the best time to explore your adventurous side with these summer promotions from Chroma Hospitality. Check out their packages at www.crimsonhotel.com and book direct using the promo code HELLOSUMMER. See you at the beach!
