The Coconut Club: A tropical escape in the Metro

Despite what Instagram might suggest, travelling to tropical destinations every weekend is easier said than done.

The thought of ending your Friday or Saturday evenings lying down on a bean bag, sipping on Mai Tais, and listening to live music sounds heavenly but let’s face it — the realities of the world will always get in the way.

Luckily for your wanderlust, a new spot has opened in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, that comes close to a tropical escape.

Replacing what used to be Rocket Room in High Street Central, The Coconut Club allures with a beach resort vibe designed with minimalist wooden panels, vivid lighting that complements hanging disco balls, a palm tree, and a pole on the table for you to take advantage of after a few drinks.

Even the DJ’s booth is a small kubo.

Speaking of drinks, that’s exactly the main draw of the Fort’s newest, popular spot: yummy alcoholic options that won’t hurt your wallet (but make sure you know your limits!)

For example: A Gin and Tonic Tropicale (pomelo gin, cinnamon bark, fresh pomelo, pineapple, lime, and a splash of passion fruit) goes for only P195. Meanwhile, you can order a Gin Pom Pi (pomelo and cucumber gin, pomelo juice, pomelo tang rim, pomelo shreds, and cucumber isaw) or a Pina Col Pina (soaked pineapples, coconut mill, pandan rum, and coconut foam) for only P175 each.

Some of The Coconut Club’s other popular cocktail options include the Calamansi-a-Go-Go (P175), Bloody Rita (P275), Kiss Mai Tai (P175), Rocket Fuel (P295), ChichaRum (P175), and The Hurricane (P175).

Any of the choices will provide you a bang for your buck, especially since the serving sizes are quite large.

Slushies are also available at P120 per glass (P95 during happy hour from 2-7PM) and P350 per pitcher. Pitchers of different cocktails can also be purchased for P495 each, while beers are sold at the standard bar prices. Come during happy hour and you can get either two San Miguel bottles or two Heineken Draft Beers.

The menu appeases quirky drinkers with signature infusions, while wine lovers will have numerous options of red, white, rose, sparkling, and sangria.

Not an alcohol drinker? Well, The Coconut Club offers virgin refreshers, different types of con hielos, coffee, and tea.

Of course, one of the best qualities of a bar is making the question “Saan tayo pupunta?” easier by having themed evenings.

With the Coconut Club, there’s something happening at least 5 times a week.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are their Yacht Party and Baewatch nights, respectively, with the main theme centering on tropical and a beach-like experience. Thursdays, which are used for their Freaki Tiki nights, retain the tropical vibe but with a tiki twist.

Fridays are the Shots and Goggles nights. Think of it as your old-school, college frat or house party like experiences. On Saturdays, it’s Jungle Fever night, with The Coconut Club holding a jungle party where things get pretty wild. Hosts and DJs are invited to perform almost on a nightly basis.

Next door to The Coconut Club is Friends and Family, a Filipino BBQ restaurant that’s owned by the same company behind the bar – Raintree Restaurants – who are also responsible for establishing restaurants such as Chotto Matte, Izakaya Sensu, Terraz, Kabila, Saboten, Museum Café, Providore Cebu, and a few more.

One of the other restaurants that they own is Cha Cha’s Boracay. In fact, the original idea of Friends and Family and The Coconut Club was to open at Coast Boracay in Station 2, but those plans were shelved following the temporary closing of the popular Philippine destination.

It may turn out as a blessing in disguise given the quick, rising popularity of both the bar and restaurant. Friends and Family provides a lot of the usual Filipino favorites that ring close to home, with the place specializing in its Arrozcaldo (P295), Pancit Palabok (P295), Sizzling Bulalo Steak and Beef Belly (P550), 7 kinds of BBQ platter (P550), and Halo-Halo Crumble (P195).

The ambiance of the restaurant – simple and cozy – makes it a perfect place to visit for delicious food with friends, family, or both.

At a time when bars are opening left and right in the metro, it’s refreshing to find a spot that offers something new without leaving you broke.

You’ll find yourself returning to The Coconut Club thanks to its unique concoctions and fun atmosphere (have we mentioned the bartenders give free shots) and asking yourself: “Who needs to go to a bar that’s actually by the beach, after all?” – Rappler.com