When it comes to hangout spots in the Metro, there’s no shortage of new places popping up. From coffee shops, pubs, and to bars, there’s always something new to try and check out. The only question left is — what’s the vibe?
In our next rendition of checking out spots in the Metro, we got to sit down and talk with the team from INT. Bar / EXT. Cafe, a speakeasy cocktail bar and cafe, situated in Quezon City’s creative hub: Cubao Expo.
A few weeks ago, CLAVEL got to hang out at INT. Bar/EXT. Cafe. When we arrived that Friday night, we got to listen to some live DJ sets playing chill R&B music. As the night went on, we got to learn the ins and outs of the speakeasy bar, noting the interesting evolution of the spot.
Now, while the regulars at Cubao Expo can easily recall the spot as this cocktail bar and cafe, Wilson, the co-founder and managing partner, tells us that INT. Bar was conceptualized first.
“We wanted it to be timeless. Let’s say 10 years or 15 years, down the road, pupuntahan siya and magiging institution siya.”
– Wilson
He also notes that it’s quite tough to get a place in Cubao Expo, with its commitment to offering unique spots, the concept had to be different from the rest. Along the way Wilson and his team realized that they envision the bar to be the perfect backdrop for intimate conversations and catch ups with your peers.
From the outside, INT. Bar looks like this unassuming photobooth. “It’s like you’re transported into a different vibe”, Rain, Sales & Marketing of INT. Bar/EXT. Cafe, explained to us, which actually makes it more interesting when you see the contrast of EXT. Cafe. For one, the cafe is the exposed part, you can easily see the interiors from the outside, as opposed to INT. Bar’s mysterious side which adds to its charm.
EXT. Cafe was developed along the way, when the spot next to the bar opened up, their team felt that naturally extending it to a cafe felt right. With Rain noting that the spot transforms from day to night, people often come to work at EXT. Cafe then head on over to INT. Bar to relax and have a drink.
Vibe Curation
Before anything else, the INT. Bar/EXT. Cafe team wants their customers to feel relaxed, making their spot the place to loosen up. “Basically what we wanted is ma-entertain yung customers and makapag unwind. That’s the target”, Wilson told us.
For first timers, he recommends sitting at the bar, he envisions customers asking the bartender questions to their signature cocktails. Simply because for Wilson:
“When it comes to cocktails, half of it is: kwento.”
Their team takes a lot of pride in their cocktails, mentioning that a good cocktail should tell us a story. Aside from it being named after various different movies, the team also makes it a habit to constantly try and experiment with new drinks, occasionally updating their menu. Making sure that there’s always something new to try out.
“Our approach is a mix of art and science, the whole business is our art form. “
-Wilson
Cocktails aren’t the only thing INT. Bar/EXT. Cafe has to offer, they also give you a wide selection of happenings each week. From Tuesday to Sunday, there’s always something going on at their spot.
Notably, every Tuesday, they host movie nights with the genres spanning from coming of age, romantic comedies, and action movies. When it comes to movie nights, the main goal is to offer something relaxing or feel good to the audience, “let’s say they come in halfway through the movie, matatawa padin sila hindi yung hahabol sila sa story” Rain explains.
When the weekend rolls around, there’s a lot more to discover. INT. Bar also hosts different DJs to come and play their sets, offering its doors to their art by making space for them to try new things. For the most part, they’re free to play anything they want, as long as it’s music you can nod along to, to maintain the bar’s relaxed atmosphere.
So what’s the vibe? If you’re looking for a spot to unwind, INT. Bar/EXT. Cafe is the place for you to have a quick drink and catch up with your friends. Making sure you get quality cocktails and leaves you feeling relaxed after a night out.
