Have you ever told a white lie because you want to go out for a night of drinking and dancing with friends? Well, it's not that we're giving you a reason to, especially now that you're probably older and hopefully wiser. But in case you'll need an excuse in the future, you can tell that person you're just going to buy a drink from the Sari-Sari store. Because they wouldn't know that you know that this unassuming, nothing-out-of-the-ordinary sari-sari store in Makati City—aptly called Sari Sari, hides a speakeasy.
Check out this cocktail bar hidden behind a sari-sari store:
So, where is this hidden bar? Sari Sari can be found at a Thai restaurant called Thai Mookato. And inside this restaurant, they have a sari-sari store display with toiletries, bottled condiments, instant noodles, and other pika-pika that are staples sold in these small neighborhood stores. Look for the red Coca-Cola freezer at the back and open it to enter a dimly lit room with blood-red lights.
Once your eyes have adjusted to the surroundings of Sari Sari, you'll notice its interiors are mostly influenced by Asian culture. There's a tree experiencing eternal autumn by the entrance; crisscrossed bamboo sticks on the ceiling; Japanese lanterns hung above the bar; and a menu printed inside a Noli Me Tangere book. It's really all in these details of its well-thought-of interiors—and the menu too.
Sari Sari's cocktail menu has classic sours, the Whisky Sour (P300) and Amaretto Sour (P250), but they also have other no-frills, no-fuss cocktails like the Old-Fashioned Rye (P390), Mezcal Negroni (P380), Penicillin (P250), Smoky Spice Margarita (P390) that gets its kick from chili flakes, and a Thai Mojito (P300) which uses Mekhon, a brand of spirit from Thailand.
But if you want to get tipsy trying out cocktails you've most likely never tried before, go for Sari Sari's signature cocktails that focus on Asian fusion. Starting off with those you're probably more familiar with—but with a twist, there's the Halo Halo (P350) which has Bacardi, sweetened milk, rum-infused sago, and ube ice cream; and the Taho (P250) which has Olmeca tequila, soya milk, arnibal, and sago.
The speakeasy's signature cocktails also have interesting concoctions inspired by the flavors of Asia. To represent Japan is the Sakura Bloom (P250) which is a fruity gin cocktail that uses Beefeater, lemon juice, pineapple juice, orgeat syrup, and dragon fruit syrup; and for Thailand, there's Tommy Yammy (P380) which can certainly raise eyebrows either out of intrigue or aversion because it has the wildest combinations you can think of: Absolut vodka, tom yang soup, tamarind, lime juice, Worcestershire, lemongrass, Thai basil, salt, pepper, cayenne, bacon, and tomato caviar.
For the Hallyu queens and kings who have an affinity for soju, Sari Sari has two soju-based signatures. The Midori Soju (P350) which has Jinro 24, cultured milk, and Midori; and the Strawberry Soju (P350) which also uses Jinro 24 and cultured milk, but makes it fruitier by adding in strawberry, passionfruit, and orange juice.
When we said that you're "hopefully wiser," we mean that you should know not to drink alcohol with an empty stomach. Sari Sari's menu of hefty meals and bar chow fully commits to their theme of Asian fusion too. You can choose from the likes of Satay with Peanut Sauce (P450), Pandan Chicken (P500), Siu Mai (P300), and the special beef or chicken Sari Burger (P500).
If you want to go with something safer, they do have the usual French Fries (P250) that are available in cheese, sour cream, barbecue, and seaweed flavors, Potato Wedges (P250), Salted Egg Potato Chips (P200), Onion Rings (P250), SPAM Fries (P470), and more.
Sari Sari is at 5661 Washington St, cor Dela Rosa Street, Makati City. This bar is open from 7 p.m. until 4 a.m.
For more information, visit Sari Sari's Instagram page.
* This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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