PEOPLE don’t only come to Boracay for the
powdery sand and immaculate waters; they also
come to party. The uninitiated should think of
Boracay as a macro version of Malate. The bars
literally line the shore, making it almost impossible to walk past all of them the
whole day. If you plan to do that by foot, you will need two or three days.
On second thought, it would be unfair to compare Boracay to Malate. It
should, in fact, be the other way around: Malate is like Boracay. For starters,
the original Café Breton is on the island and so is a fabulous crepe place
named Goryo’s. Along with this discovery, I’ve learned that everyone has a
place in Boracay. From the high society to the ordinary folk, everyone is
accepted as he/she is.
Here are the places to hang just in case you find yourself spending a lonely
night in Boracay.
Cocomangas Hotel & Beach Resort
Unique for: Billiard tables, lounge areas and, hey, the DJ plays your request!
Famous for: "Still standing after 15" & Jam Jars.
Backpacking has taken John Monroe of Vancouver, Canada a long way.
After having toured the world, he stopped by the sunny island of Boracay
and fell in love with it. In 1986, what started out as a hotel resort branched
out to the now famous Cocomangas bar, which greets passersby with a very
relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. Any place that takes two tropical fruits
for its name must exude some charm.
The bar literally made this paper’s headline for its unique gimmick, "Still
Standing After 15." The concept is simple: drink 15 straight shots of tequila,
and after that if you’re still, well, standing, then you earn for yourself a
metallic name plate (to be put alongside hundreds of other "survivors" in their
gallery) and honor for your country. Yes, you heard that last one right.
Survivors are tallied based on their citizenship, and so far Filipinos lead the
Brits by 1,385 survivors (2,204 as against 819). It would be interesting to
note that only one Egyptian, one Nepalese, one Tongan and one guy from
Lesotho have tried the Cocomangas tequila challenge, as attested to by the
chart.
If drinking is not your cup of, er, tea, then slug it out at the billiard’s table, or
just hang around the spacious lounge areas while sipping the bar’s specialty,
the jam jars. That or laugh at those who fail the "still standing" challenge.
Beachcomber Bar Disco & Restaurant
Unique for: Dancing to both electronic music and rhythmic lapping of the
waves (this is beachfront property).
Famous for: Beachcomber Mudslide.
If you have walked the fine shore of Boracay at night, chances are you’ve
seen this bar with its blaring music and attractive lights. If you went in, you
would’ve been totally reminded of the ’80s discos, if not for the sand on your
feet and the shore just to your left (or right or front… depending on where
you’re facing). This open-air bar is perfect for anyone who’s into the groove
and wants to get a piece of the action by dancing to popular and
not-so-popular dance tunes. Don’t fret, there’s nothing horrifying as
"Aringkingking," although the sets could use some techno-pop/rock music.
According to Wilbec Gelito, bar owner-partner, Beachcomber also holds at
least two theme parties a week, explaining its popularity among the locals. "I
really think it’s the atmosphere that sells the place. It’s nice to have all of
these right on the beach, where it’s more accessible to the people," he
explains. Meanwhile, bartender Rhiam Gardina offers another explanation for
the popularity--the Beachcomber Mudslide. "It’s vodka and Kahlua with
flavored ice cream. It’s one of our house specials that’s proving to be a
favorite."
Aside from the bar, there’s a quaint Korean dining area tucked in a little
corner of Beachcomber. The flooring is done in wood, topped with a carpet
with throw pillows for the customers’ comfort. However, it looked
suspiciously Indian to me. But, hey, if you came here to dance, does it still
matter?
Bom Bom
Unique for: The only artsy bar on the island that Bob Marley would have
surely loved.
Famous for: The artists who come and play to the delight of their most
foreign audience.
"No name."
"What," I asked.
"The bar with no name," he said.
"Huh?"
"It used to be the name of this bar. The Bar With No Name," he explained.
It had a name after all. But thanks anyway to whoever baptized the place as
Bom Bom two years ago. The bar has been there for quite a while, but it was
just recently that the owners decided to christen the place, Yolk Arias
explained to me.
However, during that time, performances were limited to the Tribes Festival
that Bom Bom held, during Holy Week. And then, performers started
pouring in, and now, they are there to entertain everyone regularly.
The place is small, cramped actually but, thankfully, the performances are
held outside where hammocks and seats are provided. The bar doesn’t really
boast of any particular specialty drink because, according to the owners,
"everything on the menu is special."
Hey Jude
Unique for: Cosmopolitan ambiance; real cool music provided by guest DJs.
Famous for: The drink Cosmopolitan, good music, superb pizzas and
beautiful people.
How does the name "Rocky and the big Ny-oo" sounds like for a bar?
Sounds too ethnic? People have to thank the uncle’s owner, Rabin Sanda,
for providing his nephew less time to explain what on earth is a Ny-oo
(pronounced nya-oo).
"Well, Rocky and Ny-oo are two people I met while I was traveling to
Burma. They’re the nicest people that I’ve met," explains Christopher Jude
Lee. "I didn’t really want to name it after myself but my uncle did. But I really
like it. I think it’s very catchy."
Located at D’Mall, a part of Boracay with commercial shops and
establishments, Hey Jude enjoys good exposure to the crowd that frequents
the place. Only six months into operation, the bar looks like it is headed
toward being the best bar in Boracay, if it’s not considered that yet.
For the bar’s concept, Jude drew inspiration from his experience working for
the different bars in Miami. "When I came here, I felt that the bars were all
the same. And so our team decided to bring in a new concept. I think that
our style is really Miami-like." Aside from the ambience, the music is
something Hey Jude must be proud of. With guest DJs coming in from all
over the world, like Spain, Israel and India, the bar is at par with bars found
in Manila and elsewhere around the world.
For day, their set consists of blues, chill-out, pop and reggae. At night, you
just might find yourself dancing to progressive tunes, hip-hop and Latin music.
And while you’re at it, you might as well try their most potent drink, the
Flaming Lamberdini--five different liquors blended into one. "It gives a nice
kick in the butt," Jude adds.
However, the best thing about the bar is something they never really intended
to happen; Hey Jude is now famous for its pizza. Again, Jude has his uncle to
thank for that.
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