Few cocktails are as uncomplicated as a gin and tonic.
Gin, tonic water, ice, and maybe a citrus garnish: that’s all it takes to make something crisp, refreshing, and dangerously easy to order another round of. But simple doesn’t have to mean boring. The gin you choose, the tonic you pair it with, and the setting you’re drinking it in can make all the difference.
Whether you’re looking for a polished night out, a cozy neighborhood bar, or somewhere to settle in for drinks that stretch well past dinner, Metro Manila has plenty of places worth checking out.
1. The Back Room
The internet’s backrooms are an endless labyrinth of empty, dull-looking rooms where you can supposedly get trapped in forever. Thankfully, The Back Room in BGC seems like a much better place to get lost in.
This Prohibition-era speakeasy trades the creepy, claustrophobia-inducing walls for dim lighting, velvet banquettes, brass accents, and an ungodly amount of gin waiting behind the bar. And with that much spirit, they give drinkers the opportunity to build their own G&T by choosing the gin, tonic, and garnish.
So whether you’re after something citrusy, floral, or herbal, The Back Room is a rabbit hole worth falling into—and unlike the internet’s namesake, you’ll actually want to stay awhile.
The Back Room is located at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, 30th St, Taguig.
2. Sulok
First things first: don’t confuse Sulok Bar in Poblacion with the similarly named cafe tucked inside an unassuming office building in Salcedo. This Sulok is all about cocktails, cozy corners, and intimate conversations, making it a better fit for a quiet night with a close friend or a partner than a full-blown group takeover.
Their G&Ts put a botanical spin on the classic too. Prima Kardamono gets its aromatic kick from toasted green cardamom and star anise, while Tea-Nacious Blossom goes floral with jasmine tea, hibiscus tea, and orange bitters. Both, however, make for perfectly good excuses to settle down.
Sulok is located at 5663 Don Pedro, Poblacion, Makati.
3. Run Rabbit Run
Ever heard of the saying, ‘Ain’t no fun when the rabbit’s got the gun’? At Run Rabbit Run, the rabbit has a gin instead, which explains why everyone’s having a much better time.
With warm lighting, vintage touches, and a laid-back vibe, this bar feels like a welcoming hideaway for drinks that don’t stick to the usual formula. Its G&T lineup brings together unexpected pairings, from the tropical Pandan & Coconut to the fruit-and-spice combination of Apple & Cinnamon. There’s also Lychee & Rosemary for a fragrant twist and Pink Peppercorn & Cucumber for a fresh finish with a little kick.
No need to fear the rabbit here—unless you’re worried about finding a new favorite and never going back to your usual order.
Run Rabbit Run is located at GF, Six Axis Building, 4347 B. Valdez, Poblacion, Makati City.
4. Polilya
Polilya might mean ‘moth,’ but this Poblacion bar isn’t using light to draw people in—it uses drinks! With tropical touches and a lived-in feel, Polilya makes it easy to settle in for more rounds than you had originally planned. And with G&Ts that have plenty of personality, that’s easier than it sounds.
For a playful take on the G&T, try the Gin Pom and Tonic, a spin on the Filipino favorite of gin and pomelo juice. It gives the familiar local drink a bubbly twist, bringing together the citrusy appeal of pomelo and the refreshing bite of tonic.
Forget moths circling a flame. Here, the real challenge is resisting the pull of one more cocktail.
Polilya is located at 5767 Ebro, Poblacion, Makati City.
5. Bar.Flora
Bar.Flora may have a thing for tea, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s all teacups and quiet afternoons! This tea bar and gin bar knows how to bring the spirit(s), with cocktails that give botanicals plenty of room to shine.
Its house G&Ts offer three ways to go: Floral, with butterfly pea gin, elderflower tonic, and lemon; Classic, with house blend gin No. 5, tonic water, lime, juniper berries, and rosemary; and Market, which mixes house blend gin No. 6 with tonic water and fruits for a fresh, fruit-forward twist.
The tea may be steeped in the bar’s identity, but these G&Ts make sure the gin gets its time in the spotlight too.
Bar.Flora is located at F7 Rallos, Sct. Rallos St, Diliman, Quezon City,
A Little Gin Goes a Long Way
Sometimes, you just want a good drink at a good spot.
And while there’s nothing wrong with sticking to your usual order, trying a different take on a gin and tonic can make a night out a little more interesting.
Luckily, you don’t have to look far for a good one. Whether you’re catching up with friends or treating yourself to a well-deserved drink, there’s a G&T waiting to make your next night out a little more fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
A classic gin and tonic typically combines gin, tonic water, and ice, often with a citrus garnish such as lime. The choice of gin, tonic, and additional botanicals can change the drink’s flavor profile.
The Back Room at Shangri-La The Fort in BGC lets drinkers choose their gin, tonic, and garnish to create a G&T suited to their preferences.
You can get a gin and tonic at several Metro Manila bars, including The Back Room in BGC, Sulok in Poblacion, Run Rabbit Run in Makati, Polilya in Poblacion, and Bar.Flora in Quezon City. Each offers its own take on the classic cocktail.
Sulok, Run Rabbit Run, and Polilya are all located in Poblacion, Makati. They offer different takes on the G&T, from botanical and tea-inspired combinations to tropical, fruity, and herbaceous flavors.
Bar.Flora, located in Diliman, Quezon City, is a tea-and-gin bar offering three house G&Ts: a Floral version with butterfly pea gin and elderflower tonic, a Classic with house gin and juniper, and a Market blend mixed with seasonal fruits.
