Reviews Polilya

Drinks are bit pricey and have too much ice. But what I like is the ambiance and the music they played, new wave/disco

I love this place. It has great bar chow, great craft beer on tap, and great vibes! The sala decor makes you feel at home. The music selection always pleases

The place is usually packed with 20plus-year old folks so could be noisy at peak drinking hours. Not for those people who like their quiet.

Now their bar chow is really something, they didn't scrimp on the quality and taste. Some are actually even better than those served at sit-down restaurants. You could tell that the shrimps they use on their Gambas are fresh, same with the Fish and Chips, really really yummy. As for the drinks, I only had Fonzy Collins, it's refreshing but a bit of a traitor cause the alcohol will kick in when you least expect it.

I also like that their servers are well trained to answer queries about menu items. Overall, great experience.

Polilya is one of the happening bar in Poblacion. Really busy and gets jam packed.

It just gets too LOUD especially when people starts screaming. But definitely it's the place to be see and be seen. Lots of eye candy!

They serve Engkanto beers on tap. I tried the Lager, IPA and Double IPA. Got to sip the Negroni and Margarita, really good too!

Food...
Their chips are made fresh.
The burger was good, expensive at Php390.
The Zen Chicken Nuggets with Hainanese dips of chili, ginger sauce and kecap manis was ok at Php250.

Best to check out this bar while it's still "in".

Come earlier if you want to chill and chat without the loud music. It’s a restaurant that becomes a party place during the later part of the night. Ambience is really cozy!

Make sure to arrive early or make reservations during the weekends- if you want a table!

Friday nights are best spent with people you love

Polilya’s one of those places that make people wonder. With its iconic “Have You Figured Out What You Want?” neon sign, who wouldn’t start thinking out loud? And what better way to discuss this: by ordering drinks by the bar.

My friend and I were first time visitors. We opted to seat at the bar and we got to enjoy our night even more because Bartender Eric kept entertaining us. He inquired about our drink preferences and he suggested we try Bourbon IPA and Highball for our first round of drinks.

As for our dinner, we ordered the nachos and the grilled cheese. In case you don’t know, Polilya’s Nachos are to die for.

After finishing our drinks, Eric again asked what we wanted. I think he got the idea that I was a tequila girl so he suggested Nina Margarita (that first sip made me go WOAH) and for my friend, an off the menu drink called Don Facundo.

We would have gone for round three if only our second round didn’t knock us off our feet.

That said, you can expect me to invite more friends over to enjoy a great night out at one of my new favorite places in my old neighborhood.

My favorite bar in poblacion. I love beers and they serve good IPA. they also have that gin pomelo slush drink that was cool 15yrs ago. Good place with AC. nice place to hangout if you hate the heat.

If you still do not know where the “Have You Figured Out What You Want Yet” neon sign is, then you must be living in a cave.

Kidding aside, Polilya is one of the chill bars around Poblacion. They have good cocktails, but I think most people go here because of the Engkanto beers.

Love the furniture and lights here too. But most of all, I could say that the food is something you must not miss!

My favorites are Zen Chicken Nuggets and Ultimate Nachos. The former is a twist on Hainanese Chicken but it’s fried. The sauces make it even better. As for the nachos, it’a very filling because there are a lot of toppings!

I will always recommend this place to those exploring Poblacion. Awesome interiors and staff! The beer sampler is worth your bucks. Food is great but I hope they add more to the menu! Ask for their cocktail of the week which I think is off the menu.

Here's to my new favorite hangout spot in Makati! Rating this bar an overall 10/10! The drinks are really good, esp the cocktails. Shoutout to our fave barista Eric! You should try their Bourbon IPA as a starter drink! Servers are very attentive and the ambience is just perfect for your 'any day chill out nights'. 👏🏼👏🏼

Classy and Well-lit ambiance, Restrooms are no problem ‘cause they got you covered. For this place it’s just enough that they have 4. Chairs and tables are eccentric and modern. A must go-to, for chilling and taking time to meet new friends and catch up with old ones. Caution: Full during Saturdays and Sundays. Serves food.

"Have you figured out what you want yet?" NO haha but I do know for a fact that I'll be visiting this place again & will most likely kill myself with the tequila shots haha 😝

Here’s one of my favorite bars in Poblacion, Makati. They chose the name ‘Polilya’ as the owner wanted it to be in connection with the beer they launched called Engkanto.  They also wanted a name that is very pinoy too. The facade looks really inviting with the neon lights revealing the name. As you walk in, you can feel a homey vibe already with cozy sofas, warm lights and even the music was just pure relaxing. The vibe is perfect for after office hours.  As what the owner Ian Paradies said, he wanted it to be as comfortable as your neighbors’ home.

If you are fan of cool interiors, neon lights and artsy decors then you will surely love Polilya Bar. Located along Don Pedro Street in Poblacion, Makati, Polilya Bar is the perfect spot to have some happy hour with some friends on a weekend or even some after-office winding down during weekdays. The place is actually reminiscent of Riverdale’s Pop’s Choc’lit Shoppe, except that they don’t serve milkshakes here and is home to the famous Engkanto Brewery instead.

If you find yourself out in Poblacion on a Friday night, make sure you check out Polilya located at 5658 Jacobo Street, Corner Don Pedro, Makati. Originally conceptualized as a tasting room for Napa Gapa's Engkanto Brewery, its sister company Dark Wing instead created a scene of its own with Engkanto's Death's Head Moth as the muse for it's Filipino name: "Polilya".

As we walked in, we immediately felt a warm, welcoming ambience. It was no surprise to us that Ian Paradies, Engkanto Brewery founder and president, exudes the same vibe. We asked him what is the significance of the moth, and he enthusiastically explained that it was a sign that a spirit or something supernatural was amidst. Supposedly, during the time Polilya's ceiling was being painted, an actual moth landed right beside it's painted counterparts. Paradies exclaimed that he saw it as a good omen.

Engkanto's Lager (PHP 135) is crisp and dry with citrus aroma and flavor. Their Blonde Ale (PHP 155) is unbelievably light and refreshing. The Pale Ale (PHP 155) is one of my favorite as it has a sweet character. The IPA (PHP 170) has a smooth body and robust flavor with an incredible aroma. Their Double IPA (PHP 190) has a soft mouth feel with an intense blend of citrus. I enjoyed slowly drinking and relishing the flavor of each and every Engkanto Craft Draught Beer with 2 of their Four O'clock Flight (PHP 280): a degustation set of 4 Engkanto beers.

Opened last October 2017, Owners of Napa Gapa (Ian, Sandra, and Nina Paradies) paired up with their cousin Alex of Dark Wing and created a tropical retro space where Asian and Hispanic influences collide. Polilya offers something quite unusual in the local bar scene—a range of beer cocktails concocted by their mixologist Priscilla Young.

We sat under the beer bottle light fixtures over the bar, bathed in purple neon light light from the "Have you Figured Out What You Want Yet?" sign, ready to order the Enchanted Six: Polilya's signature cocktails with a beer twist.

The Blame It On The Heat (PHP 145) is a frozen shandy made with fresh lemon, orange, calamansi, agave and stout. It's sweet, sour, and the perfect cocktail for those hot crowded nights in Poblacion.

The Cool Bird Spritz (PHP 290) is an aperol spritz made with aperol, double IPA, pineapple, prosecco, and dried mango. It's intense, citrusy, fruity, and has a soft mouth feel.

The Polilya Fire (PHP 350) is a fiery paloma made with silver tequila, grapefruit cordial, Thai chili, fresh lime, serrano bitters and IPA foam. I'm tempted to say that this was my favorite drink because of its fiery flavor and kick, but Raina and I think the next up is the most complex of the six.

The Tigrita (PHP 380) is a lost mexican spiked favorite house-made with tepache, mezcal, fresh lime, double IPA agave, orange, oleo saccharum, pineapple, and cilantro. It's smoky, exploding with hop flavor, has an intense blend of citrus, passion fruit notes.

The Goldfinger (PHP 360) is a healthy mule made with turmeric infused vodka, pressed ginger syrup, fresh lime, ginger beer, and double IPA dalandan foam. It's definitely one of the most refreshing and coolest of the six.

The RUMANDCOKE#2 (PHP 365) is an upgraded version of the classic combo made with white rum, averna, house-made cola, house A.B.C. bitters, and bubbles.

What makes the dishes at Polilya extra special is that most of their eats are infused with Engkanto beer! For example, their Chips + Dip (PHP 160) is made with Russet potato house cut crisps and French onion, Engkanto Pale Ale beer dip.

Their Ultimate Nachos (PHP 275) is a classic snack paired with cold beer made with corn tortilla chips, cheese sauce, meat sauce, sour cream, grated cheedar, pico de gallo salsa, red beans, avocado, jalapeno rings, and strips of tapa.

The Zen Chicken Nuggets (PHP 250) is one of Ian Paradies recommended dishes! It's made with Hainanese chicken crisps paired with a sauce trio of chili, ginger-scallion, and kecap manis.

The Gangnam Style Chicken Wings (PHP 210) is zingy and zesty made with deep-fried chicken wings, coated with gochujang glaze.

Their unique and tasty Pinoy Caprese (PHP 215) is made with smoked kesong puti, tapa, fresh basil, tomatoes, and drizzled with bagoong-balsamic vinaigrette.

Another dish that is infused with Engkanto beer, the Gambas Engkantadas (PHP 440) is made of gambas al ajillo infused with Engkanto Lager and tamarind sauce.

One of our favorite dishes, the Bangla Mussels (PHP 320) is made of steamed mussels in Blonde Ale Beer, mustard oil, coconut milks broth, and served with homemade roti.

The Fried Pickles (PHP 125) is made with pickled jalapeño tempura poppers, battered with Pale Ale beer and served with cilantro-tahini sauce.

Quite possibly the best Chocolate Mouse we've ever tried, the Grown-Up Chocolate Mousse (PHP 175) is made of Davao single-origin three-chocolate mousse infused with Engkanto Stout, seasoned with freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of Himalayan salt.

All good things must come to an end. Bittersweet, we ended off with Deep-Fried Apple Pie A La Mode (PHP 150) a warm pocket pie of cinnamon-kissed apples and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

It's a party at home in Polilya!

Product: Polilya is a Filipino word which translates to 'moth' in English, serves you not only some of the best crafted brews in town but also some of the most delicious "pulutan" or finger food I've ever had as a perfect partner for alcohol. They have these brews called "Engkanto Beers" that comes with a various mix of flavors. These beers are the highlights of Polilya, so you make sure to order them when you go here. There's the lager, the IPA, double IPA, pale ale, and blonde ale. You can order them as a set so you'd know how most of them would taste like and I definitely recommend that you do. They also supply these craft brews to some popular restaurants in the metro, who knows? Maybe you've had a taste of their beer? If you're curious, go ahead and pay them a visit to find out the answer.

The cocktails and such are also very affordable, well it actually depends on your drink preference but if you're not that choosy; some of the basic or well-known won't burn a hole in your wallet. 

As for the finger foods, I loved all the ones I had but my favorites were: Zen Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and the Deep-Fried Apple Pie Ala Mode.

The Zen Chicken Nuggets (Php 250.00): were deep-fried chicken bits made to taste like Hainanese chicken. There's that strong taste ginger but the fact that it was breaded and fried, balances the tastes out so it isn't too overwhelming that you would look for some rice or bread to lessen the taste. I liked it even without dipping it into any of the sauce but if I had to pick my favorite dip, it was the soy sauce because it was sweet and salty.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Php ??): is not on their current menu yet but it will be soon. You have to taste it when it does! I've had a lot of grilled cheese.. a lot. So, it really says something when I say I loved one at a restaurant. They used raclette cheese on the bread but it didn't have that powerful smell, just that great taste it brings to the dish. What's also new here is how sweet the tomato dip is. A total contrast to the salty taste that the cheese provides, a perfect combination.

We also had great dishes like Ultimate Nachos (Php 275.00): with overloaded toppings like beef, cheese, avocado, salsa, and beans. Each nacho you take won't come to your mouth empty-handed. And the Gangnam Style Chicken Wings (Php 210.00): this one is quite the familiar finger food in each bar I've been to. The sweet and tangy flavor is there but it could've been better with a bleu cheese dip on the side. However, it's still good even without it.

The Deep-Fried Apple Ala Mode (Php 150.00): came with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. This pie looks a lot like Mcdo's apple pie, but to be honest, a whole lot better. The apple inside didn't feel soggy and the filling wasn't too sweet which makes the ice cream an even better addition to the dish. Who knew my favorite apple pie would come from a bar? That's how great the food is.

I also got to taste their Grown-Up Chocolate Mousse (Php 175.00): why is it called grown-up you ask? Well, you probably know the answer already but it's mixed with their very own Engkanto Beer. You can taste the beer in each bite but it isn't bitter at all, it's actually saltier than it is bitter. It's like a salted chocolate mousse with the mix and aftertaste of beer. 

Venue: Choosing to spend a night out at Polilya is a good idea. It's so comfortable here. The interior of the house is almost exactly like you're attending the house party of your friend who's parents just left town and there's an open bar so you can drink as much as you want (except you have you pay for it here). The owner bought the furniture and utensils from different department stores and they bought such good ones that they've actually caught some people stealing them. Yeah. One of the reasons people choose to spend their night out here not only for the food and alcohol but also because we've been told that it's the only place in the area with good air conditioning. The servers are very busy but they mostly never forget what you order, the place gets kind of packed at around 7-8PM so they're all around the place doing their best to assist everyone. The service is fast so I think that they did well. I only said mostly cause they forgot the water I asked for but I asked again after a while and they gave it to me immediately. 

As we were leaving, we kept talking about how much fun we had and that we should definitely come back again soon. And the next day, I told some of my friends to go here and bring their other friends too. I wanted more people to know about the place and enjoy their night out like I did.

If you're one of those who was somehow exposed to folkloric stories or has gotten an appeal for it, then you're going to like this feature. But if you're both and also someone looking for a place in Poblacion that serves up artisan beers and grubs that could satisfy even a discriminating gourmand, then you'll make me your friend before you even finish reading this feature.

This was the first stop of our beer run. I loved the vibe of the place although couldn't really get a seat since there were so many people. I ordered Blame it on the Heat, a slushie alcoholic drink, which I instantly fell in love with! I like how they used a bamboo straw. Would come back for that for sure!

I haven’t seen my hiking buddies for months and since half of them is from the south we all decided to meet halfway aka Makati area. One of my friends wanted to try this out.

I have to commend how nice they setup was. The mismatch designs for tables, chairs and decorations added character to the place. I even liked the plates they used for whimsical.

For me, they have limited items on their menu and even their drinks are limited. Food was delicious but the serving was small and are pricey.

Chips & Dip (Php 160)
Zen Chicken Nuggets (Php 250)
Coffee (Php 130)
Blame it on the Heat (Php 145) Booky discount - buy 1 take 1

There is a new go to strip as of late, the streets of Poblacion, in particular Don Pedro and its nearby areas. I’ve found myself going here more than BGC in the past weeks or so. In fact, I spent Halloween night here.

One of the popular bars here is Polilya. It has a cozy ambiance, good for a chill night, spacious enough to house around 50 sitting customers.

Polilya will ask you ‘Have you figured out what you want yet?’ And somehow my answer was a no. I don’t drink anymore, but I do try my friend’s fix out of curiosity.

My friends ordered a variety of local craft beers, they dubbed Engkanto. I found these bolder and more bitter than your usual commercial choices. We got the Lager, Blonde Ale and Pale Ale. These bottles range from Php 135-155.

We also had their unique concoctions of weekly slushy and cocktails, like Blame It on the Heat (mixed with beer twist of shandy, as well as fresh lemon, orange, calamansi, agave and stout) Tigrita (a mexican fix of tepache, mezcal, fresh lime, agave, orange oleo saccharum, pineapple and cilantro) and traditional White Russian.

For food, we only had their version of rather filling and appetizing Nachos because we ate at nearby Otto.

Polilya the newest joint for the local craft beef, hip vibes, and good music. The purple neon lights set the tone, as they ask you, "Have you figured out what you want yet?". This statement a call to this generations of frustrated musicians, struggling artist, and thriving young entrepreneurs.

We visited Polilya to have a night cap, and to try their engkanto craft beer. It's a intimate set up, and quite relaxed as well, there are several couches scattered through out the room, and several small tables. If you choose to, you can also stay at the bar area. The crowd consists of a mix of foreigners staying at nearby hostels, and locals enjoying their craft beef.

The drinks:

Blame it on heat- This was a coke like slushie with hints of orange, agave and beer. Quite refreshing and tasty.

Lager Engkanto Craft Draught Beer - Their beer was light and crisp to the taste. It was very easy to drink.

While we haven't tried their food, we will definitely be back to try it. Prices are affordable, and service was good. It's similar to the nearby craft beer place Alamat, but it's a more upscale version.