A great speakeasy bar in the heart of makati. Cocktail price is a little high but they do have an excellent service and good mix. Nice place to spend time with friends
Went here with friends to eat. Very classy place the servers were really nice the price is worth the food when it comes to size and quality. Would definitely go back.
Gianna Maree D. Peñalosa
+4
I’ve always loved to try something new, and of course hidden bars were one of those things. I first found out about Mandalay when I visited Belle & Dragon in 2016. The one thing that stuck in my mind on that quick visit was the dim light and the globe in the middle of the room. Plus, of course, the doorway to Mandalay.
Fast forward to 2019, I visited this place again on a date and it really is great place to go on dates or relax after work. My date was a frequent visitor so he was in charge of the drinks. I ordered a Caesar Salad but that bit was disappointing.
At the end of the night, we had a total of six or seven glasses of Kaitei and a yummy bowl of Wanton Nachos as bar chow.
You can expect me to come back for more of those some time in the future.
A speakeasy bar situated inside a good restaurant... but make sure that you do not miss out the small details 'coz once you do, you will regret it.
This bar features a lot of good drinks -- hard, cocktails to beers. They also have cigars.
What I love about this bar is they serve the best. I do recommend, only go here if you are willing to splurge some amount for cigars and liquor.
Jean Patrick Alexander
+4
Went here with my Cigar Group. I love everything about the place. I love the nightlife, people and the ambiance. Just one thing, ventilation system needs work. The smoke from our cigars stay in the room until it evaporates. Other than that, great place overall.
Mandalay is a no non-sense Whiskey and Cigar Bar tucked away in the middle of a busy city. Food is top notch, selection of Whiskey is a class of its own but what sets it apart from other high-end bars is the excellent customer service that goes above and beyond 5-star service.
Hidden drinking places or what we call speakeasies are a surefire dime for those seeking atypical and classier ways to enjoy some hooch, post-work or on weekend nights. It might sound like we’re being “titos and titas” but truth be told, you reach a point in your life when you would trade deafening and chaotic dance clubs over low-key atmosphere bar. I don’t know about you, but personally, I’m in that limbo at the moment. Thus the beginning of my search for Metro Manila’s speakeasies and the longing to be in the know.
Great interior, furniture, ambiance, and staff. And damn, that Talisker whiskey sour! You will get broke from not getting enough.
Food is just okay for that much price. I recommend having it in the Belle and Dragon area where it is lit. It is way better. Mandalay is best for drinking and some chips only, I'd say.
Laphroaig Whisky Sour from Mandalay has to be my favourite drink in Manila. Tend to find myself here towards the end of the evening, when a cigar also seems a good idea! Of which they have a decent enough range.
Its about the journey to this bar that's the best part. You weave your way around a cheesy ex-pat pub that's blaring top 40 music and is filled with the young generation until you find that cupboard. Just like Narnia, you open the doors, move the coats to the side and step into the world of Mandalay, an amazing and smokey whisky and cigar bar that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
They have an amazing selection of whiskys and a good range of cigars (on paper) they makes you sigh "ahhhh". However most of our choices were not available....
Besides that its an amazing place! Skip the food as it's a bit average but come for the whisky!
I have been searching for a REAL speak easy in Manila for ages. Sadly, a lot of "speak easys" are loud, rambunctious, and attract the wrong crowd who are in search of something quite different. Mandalay however was different. Come in through the 'Bell and Dragon' and in the back you will find yourself at Mandalay.
Jazz playing, dim lighting, and a cool crowd enjoying conversation is what you'll find. I love this.
They have a good selection of single malts and standard speak easy cocktails. The food selection was a mix of Asian and European.
We were seated immediately and ordered some boulevardiers and some roast beef sliders (delicious and highly recommended!). Drinks and food came in a timely manner, and the entire night we did not have to raise our voices to be heard.
The only reason I would not return is because it was a bit of a challenge to get a Grab car to go back home from here. I wish they had Mandalay in BGC!!!
At the back of The Belle and Dragon, you see a wooden closet door. Open the closet, go thru the door and find yourself in Mandalay Whisky and Bar. Dim lighting and a wide selection of Whisky can never go wrong. Get transported to a different time with the lounge music, low lights, and leather seating.
Find what you like, smoke a cigarette and unwind. The place is perfect for it, intimate conversations, and a place to get close. It's one of my favorite whisky bars.
You can even order from The Belle and dragon while on your stay here.
Very nice ambiance, nice choice of drinks(Mandalay’s favorite), clean bathroom and most importantly the smoking area! Free to smoke to your heart’s content(or should I say lungs) high recommended place for whiskey connoisseurs 👍
Single Malts at this place is always good. The ambiance is quite conducive to a shot of your favorite spirits and for a quiet conversation. The food was okay. The service was excellent.
My suggestion would be to hang out at the Belle and The Dragon for dinner and a couple of drink. Hang out at Mandalay to wind down.
Whenever I come to this speakeasy, I make it a point to try out a whisky I have not tasted before. Their collection will definitely not disappoint. It is also one of the few places where you can smoke at your table. Their crew has great peripheral vision so you're not constantly trying to flag down someone for your order or request.
We were first seating next door and then decided to go for a smoke. Got lost in Belle & Dragon restrooms corridor, until someone opened the closet door and we discovered this speakeasy place...staff is friendly, wide variety of whiskeys available (isn't it why you're there for?), we had two flights and whisky sours (really tasty), you don't feel the cigarette smoke, music is not too loud, and you can come casually dressed, no need to go too fancy. Decoration is really nice - Prices are obviously not cheap but you get what you pay for. A great experience overall.
Literally got lost trying to find the hidden door. The speakeasy bar's interior design will make you feel like you've been transported to a different era. Very cozy place and best selection of single malt and blended whiskey. The food is exceptional. We had the 800g, 15 day aged steak that was really pack full of flavor. Whiskey lovers will surely fall in love with this bar.
Mandalay is the same as Narnia -- not only because of the entrance, but also by virtue of its magical properties.
Get ready to be sent back in time with the classic 20's feel -- from the architecture to the leather seats. Great music fills the air as you try to make your way in the darkness. You find the bar, which is the perfect place to sit as you enjoy the double shot of Kavalan you start the night off with. Every now and then, you're enveloped in smoke -- but you don't fret... the vibe is so chill, you really don't mind.
Watch and listen all of the wise and learned people talk about business, politics, and women.
More experiential than anything else. Super plus points: they carry rare blends.
Chic and stylish up-market single malt and cigar bar hidden inside the Belle & Dragon. Of course, this means high prices!
I had a shot each of Ledaig and Balblair Single Malts. My partner had a couple of cocktails that were so-so and with forgettable names! They serve some fried crisps as complimentary bar bites.
Go for the ambience and for people watching!
It feels like speakeasy scenes are getting more into Manila and is becoming the next cool trend. This place has the perfect vibe for such. Enter a wardrobe-ish like door, with clothes hanging on its side, and be greeted by 2 wooden sculpted lions. You'll feel like you're stepping into Narnia except that you'll see dim-litted area with people smoking cigars in leather couches. They have a wide range of whiskey menu too. The prices are steep tho, but that's kind of expected with speakeasy scenes here in Manila. It's a good place to chill and talk with friends and smoke some good cigar.
Nice interiors - place is made to look like one of them old gentleman's club with leather comfy chairs and wide tables. It's also one of the few places in makati that has has good ventilation allowing people to smoke inside without coming out smelling like an ashtray themselves. Restrooms are always clean and have enough space inside for one to move, maybe even dance as its huge.
Good food - they recently changed their chef I think and so the menu changed as well. No complaints on this area as food is still as good. Ask for the bar nuts and crunchy crisps.
Best of all - wide selection of single malt whisky! If you should feel overwhelmed with the lot, ask for help from the friendly servers especially Garnet (she has never failed me in her recommendations based on what I was looking for!)
Enter the wardrobe and feel like you are stepping into Narnia but lo and behold it is a cellar/cigar room with leather couches, dim lights and extensive list of whiskey. It is a great place to have conversation with friends and burn your cash. Order a bottle of whiskey of your choice, personalize it and you can keep it in their cellar for 3 months.
Elg Santiago: Takaw Mo Elg!
+3.5
Well if you want to chillax in a place that has a more quiet and darker ambiance, then this cellar is a good hangout area. Totally relaxing here, especially if you're with your barkada who's up for some seroius chat. Adding to the cool ambiance is the interiors which has that English-Asian vibe. Great selection of whiskeys here.
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