Thursday is the new Friday
MANILA, Philippines - When a certain day is the “new Friday,” there’s certainly a lot to live up to. That’s where we come in. From the New York-inspired brick walls of The Podium’s Borough to the disco ball-lit confines of Cubao X’s Future, we’ve stockpiled six of the latest bars and clubs to go to on a Thursday night in Metro Manila — you know, just in case you can’t wait one more day for the weekend.
But why not Tuesday or any other day of the week for that matter?
The absence of a rowdy crowd isn’t why you’d swing by these places on a Thursday; in fact, there’s a crowd but not the sort you’d break a sweat over as you walk sideways to the bar for a Pale. The great thing about going out on a Thursday is the fact that you’re not supposed to be out that night because you probably have work or school the next day. It’s a thrill only Thursday nights can give. But that really depends on where you go. Some of these productions boast a weekly following of personalities while some are more on the down-low.
As to the music, expect less to nothing of the Top 40 goods you’re used to hearing at Attica (FridayFUNK) and Ponti (Solid Saturdays). Thursday DJs enjoy heaps of leeway to spin as they wish, making room for the likes of French Touch (Breakbot and other nu disco giants), Swag-Hop (Odd Future), and other EDM (Electronic Dance Music) artists on their playlists.
At any rate, we’ve jotted down what you need to know about these venues before you text your friends for a Thursday night out. And yes, most of them don’t charge entrance fees.
Thursday nights are all for the taking. It’s just a matter of where.
Spin Thursdays at Future (Cubao X)
Music: DJs Kill Your Boyfriend, Kix Suarez, Saab Magalona, Julius Valledor, and guest DJs take turns spinning the latest indie-dance, chillwave, and hip-hop tracks.
Ambience: A lazy label for this would be “hipster” but this looks more like a garage-style discotheque, where nobody would turn an odd eye to the most brazen of clothes.
Other trivia: All-girl DJs will spin all-female tunes on occasion. Diego Mapa and Chi play here once a month as well. And the beer’s cheap.
Fever Model Experience at Fever Luxe Lounge (Sofitel)
Music: DJs Xtina Superstar, Jujiin Samonte, and Toy Armada spin pop and house at one of the city’s newest clubs. This is within Sofitel so expect that seamless, professional “well-paid DJ” sound.
Ambience: Interiors will remind you of True Blood’s vampire-friendly bar Fangtasia—way safer and more urban, of course.
Other trivia: You can practically take a secret bath in their bathrooms (blame Sofitel’s obsession with L’Occitane soap). Anyway, it’s open bar here from 9-11pm.
Kiss! Kiss! Bang! Bang! at Izakaya (Greenbelt 2)
Music: Violator All-Star DJ Euric and DJs Charles Lopez and Paco Gancayco play electro, pop, rock, indie, and the latest mashups.
Ambience: Izakaya used to be Temple. Now it’s a sake/sushi/speakeasy place so go figure.
Other trivia: These popular DJs pack a big following so this’ll feel like a Friday.
Pop Rocks! at Café Mondial (Silver City)
Music: Together with a guest DJ, former RX 93.1 and NU 107 DJ Kim Marvilla spins a mix of rock, pop, and electro.
Ambience: Trendy-as-eff gourmet resto you can still get drunk at. The lovely girls of Mary Moon Productions are regulars here.
Other trivia: It’s usually two for 100 pesos on beers. It’s not much of a nightclub at all so you might want to order their bestsellers: Sirloin Beef Tapa with eggs and Linguini with Manila clams.
Borough presents… at Borough (The Podium)
Music: DJs Joey Osmeña, Mano Lotho, Kix Suarez, and myself play feel-good disco, indie dance, and sexy throwbacks.
Ambience: Cozy and chic. Regulars come from nearby offices in Ortigas so expect to see yuppies in neckties, ordering a Philly Cheese Steak and Tiger Beer.
Other trivia: There’s a ping-pong table. ‘Nough said.
Doing Time at Time (7840 Makati Ave.)
Music: Mecha Hell and new DJs from the Looper Beat Academy spin the latest dubstep, breaks, and electro bombs. Relentless EDM.
Ambience: Three floors with three respective DJ booths – because they’re cool like that. You’ll get acclimated to the dimness as you make your way up.
Other trivia: The open air setup at the roof deck bodes for some unique clubbing times.
