Handlebar: Big Bikes and Rock & Roll

Image borrowed from Jovan Farren

When traveling back to Manila from Cebu, I usually have my friends pick me up so we can go straight to a bar and catch up. The first bar I usually have in mind is Handlebar, It has always been a favorite destination to hear great music and enjoy ice cold Red Horse beer while eating their awesome appetizers.

The first time I came to the place, Wally Gonzales’ Band was playing, Ryan one of my closest friends and my frat brother took me there to meet up with his girl and her best friend Kat Agarrado from Sino Sikat? Wally Gonzales is a legend. We used to go every Thursday night to hear him play at Chaquico’s in Makati Avenue where Kat was also one of his featured singers. I also had the chance to chat with Paolo Manuel of The Jerks, a schoolmate from San Agustin, Makati. It’s seldom for me to get to talk about music and the scene since I stopped entertaining the illusion that I can be a rock star when I was still in high school, but the thought had always haunted me. I still wish I could have been a rock star.  Last time I was there it was Razorback playing, I didn’t even know they still played until that night. It took me back to the days when I often tagged along with Wolfgang and Razorback when they had gigs, since my ex-girlfriend’s friend was Manuel Legarda’s girl. Handlebar has always been a place I felt at home, even if I’m not a biker.

Handlebar is hardcore biker bar, and steak house and home to the Mad Dog Motorcycle Club located in the busy and exotic area of Burgos Street and Makati Avenue. Harley Davidson and BMW motorcycles are a regular sight at the front of the bar. It’s a bar run by bikers for bikers. The bar itself looks like it came out of those biker movies with the rowdy crowd, you don’t have to worry though, these guys are bad ass but they’re all good. When you see a guy in black leather vest with a bulldog patch on it, just don’t get too cocky or you might just end up going out through the window.

On days where there are no bands playing, you can enjoy playing pool while watching your favorite sports channels on the wide screen LCDs and projectors inside and at their al fresco dining area outside.The special thing about handlebar is you can grill your own steaks at the al fresco area, and help yourself to potatoes and other side dishes already prepared on the grill. The steaks are surprisingly cheap compared to other steak houses, 3-pieces of lamb chops costs Php528 while a 12oz Pork chop costs Php389.

Handlebar Bar and Grill is located at 31 Polaris Street, Bel-Air Village, Makati City parallel to Burgos street. You call contact them though 63-2 898-2189 or visit their website at http://www.handlebar.com.ph/. You can also add them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&note _id=429987817611#!/ handlebarmanila?ref=ts

70's Bistro: Where You Can Be Who You Are

I was trying to find a place to hang out on a Monday night and my friend Emman from Above Zero told me they were playing somewhere in QC. I’ve heard of the place before but that was the first time I tried going there. It’s a long way from home and the location was unfamiliar. I was just really bored so I decided to go there even if the bands playing that night were not my cup of tea.

The 70’s Bistro has been around since 1994. It’s one of the remnants of the old Manila rock scene when Club Dredd in KM18 EDSA and Mayrics in Espana where still the places to go to if you want to hear the up and coming bands and the certified rock stars.

It’s another beat up place with a lot of character. It’s a musician’s haven, and for a place that looks like it’s about to fall apart, bands like Franco, Radio Active Sago Project, Brownman Revival and the Jerks have regular schedules. 70’s Bistro is not a place you’ll take someone for a date, its somewhere you’ll go to just to listen to great music. 

AUGUST GIG SCHED

02 Mon SOAPDISH / STONEFREE / BILLY GAGA / ABOVE ZERO
03 Tue YOSHA / JULIANNE
04 Wed SILENT SANCTUARY / LETTERDAY STORY
05 Thu BROWNMAN REVIVAL
06 Fri THE JERKS
07 Sat SESSION ROAD
09 Mon SUGARFREE
10 Tue CALLALILY / PROTEINSHAKE
11 Wed SAGO PROJECT / TROPICAL DEPRESSION
12 Thu BROWNMAN REVIVAL
13 Fri THE JERKS
14 Sat to be announced
16 Mon THE JERKS
17 Tue JULIEN DROLON / KADANGYAN
18 Wed REGGAE MISTRESS / LADY I
19 Thu JOHNOY & KAKOY
20 Fri THE JERKS
21 Sat KALAYO
23 Mon FRANCO
24 Tue TALAHIB / MAKILING
25 Wed DONG ABAY / COFFEEBREAK ISLAND
26 Thu BROWNMAN REVIVAL
27 Fri THE JERKS
29 Sat LUNA / BERSUS
30 Mon PAROKYA NI EDGAR 

70’s Bistro is located at 46 Anonas St., Project 2 Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines. You can contact them through 0921-6402491 (632) 434-3597

Or check their website at http://www.70sbistro.com/

Or  like them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quezon-City/70s-Bistro/