The Curator Coffee & Cocktails

It's an interesting place. I love speakeasies and this place was one of the top list place to visit for speakeasy in Manila. I came with my friend. They serve coffee by the day and cocktail by night which is a cool concept. We arrived slightly early so we ordered non alcoholic drink until they were ready. The menu was so cute and creative! I wanted to order all of it lol they have the story behind all drinks on how it was inspired. I wanted to get something different so I asked for recommendations. I didn't like the first drink so I asked if I can get a different drink and they were nice to exchange the drink. I wasn't charge for that. Great service, location, drinks, and fun idea. Highly recommend!

Went here for drinks at the insistence of a friend (it was his favorite cocktail bar). It was cocktail week so the whole place was packed to the brim with people. Even when it wasn't cocktail week we tried to get in once it was full. The staff was super friendly and accomodating; even the owner was greeting people. Since it was cocktail week there was a special menu prepaired by a guest bartender. They have a wide selection of cocktails and since I can't drink alcohol due to medical reasons, mocktails. My friends ordered the standard cocktails and the special cocktail week cocktails while I got a mocktail. Our server got us some snacks and water which was nice. The drinks arrived about 1hr kinda understandable since the bar is full and there is an event going on. My friends very much liked the cocktails, especially the guest bartender's cocktails. My mocktail is also good, it's refreshing and its not too sour. The place has a good vibe too bad we couldn't get inside the main room. All in all, its a good place to chill out just make sure that you get there early.

5★ Fantastic vibe and great drinks. The team knows their craft and serves thoughtful cocktails with consistency. Laid-back yet elevated, it’s a spot I’d recommend for good drinks and a relaxed night out. The staff were super friendly, would definitely come back

What a surprise, I couldn't find it at first but after finding it what a happy experience. Ericka was amazing. Great bartender made great drinks. The bar has good happy vibes, great choice of music, attentive staff. Thanks to Justin and Simon. I recommend the drinks Pandesal, it's like a tiramisu cake, and the Midnight Self a smooth balanced creamy drink

The servers were absolutely hospitable. As soon as we stepped in, we were offered somewhere to seat and just a few minutes later, our server (Ben) took his time to introduce their entire menu to us. They offer customized drinks as well. The place was big enough that it won't feel too crowded and you have space to talk intimately with whoever you're with. Definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to just chill while drinking.

Dropped by for coffee but they close early (around 5 PM??), so we ended up trying their bar instead.. and no regrets! I love how you can choose your drink based on their spiderweb-style flavor chart (or whatever it’s called 😅). The staff were super approachable, and their free shots? SO good! Definitely coming back soon!

One of Makati’s neatest cafes, and if my friends can be believed, one of the country’s best bars! This is a nondescript neighborhood establishment that serves unique, exquisite coffee during the day, and cocktails made by amazing mixologists at night. And even if you live outside Makati, it’s still worth the trip to visit (that’s exactly what we do).

The drinks are average but consistently reliable, with strong customer appeal. What truly stands out, however, is the service. Every staff member is friendly, introduces themselves by name, and even offers a handshake. Weekend music selections were also excellent. The interior is very simple, yet it’s easy to see why this brand is so popular.

I've heard The Curator had accolades for their cocktails, but we came in the morning and tried their coffee. We enjoyed it enough to end up returning for a second visit on our trip! The Shake-o What-o was wayyy better than I expected I was surprised. Not too sweet or bitter, well balanced; definitely a must try. The masala latte was good as well. Would love to experience the cocktail menu on a future trip!

There are only a handful of cocktails to choose from, but don't be afraid to speak to the bartenders, as they welcome suggestions to create from guests. I believe The Curator had previously been listed in Asia's 50 Best Bars and rightfully so, as the quality was obviously there in each drink we ordered. There was something unique but also familiar; some cocktails were ridiculously smooth, clean tasting and presentation was on point. Drinks are not surprisingly on the higher side, but it was definitely worth it. Full review: purplecuriosity.wordpress.com/2020/02/16/the-curator-coffee-and-cocktails/

THE best coffee I've found in Manila.... and I've been testing heaps! Small menu and intimate cocktail bar as well.... not much more you need.. A little hard to find with no sign out front... it's right on the corner.... see pic for outside view.... A real gem! Great staff too

Its nice to get a good look inside but i would rather see images of all your food items & Drinks... thanks

I normally dislike places like curator, cos they tend to be Hipster magnets! But the coffee is too good to pass on. And though your barista may look hipster, he knows how to make a good cup of joe. Haven't tried any food so cant comment on that. BUT this place transforms into uber cocktail lounge after 7pm, so if you get caught still sipping coffee when they dim the lights down; then take your studying ass to starbucks . They know cocktails here too! (But bring that expense account plastic cos drinks ave at 500 a pop! ) PS: my choice of drink is dark matter - long black!

The Curator is coffee shop. The Curator is also craft cocktail lounge hidden behind the coffee shop. I got lost trying to find this place. At the time I visited, there was no sign and no more Cyrano wine shop in front. It's now a (third wave) coffee shop. I circled this place maybe 3xs trying to find it almost giving up. Right at the street corner, look for steps, then look up and you'll see a place with no signage. Walk up the steps to find the craft coffee shop. In the evening, the speakeasy opens in the back. This is not only an ordinary speakeasy. It's the best cocktail bar in the Philippines and is currently ranked #23 World's Best Bar in Asia. I met the owner, Jeco Co, during my visit who might have spent an hour or 2 giving me recs on his favorite spots in Manila with his friends. If you're looking to do a tour of the best craft cocktail bars in Manila, also check out ABV, Oto, Yes Please (owned by Erwan Heusaff), and Hotel Bar (speakeasy within their main speakeasy) at Pink's Hot Dogs of LA (owned by Los Angeles' Walter and Marge Manzke of Republique). Jeco helped Hotel Bar with the bar menu. Best to stick with the classic cocktails from Jeco on the menu and don't go off menu. The custom drink they served me at Hotel Bar was terrible.

I blame The Curator for starting the whole "hidden bar" trend that hit Makati like a ton of bricks. (Actually, it was Dillinger's, but meh). Literally hidden from view by a single door at the back of Cyrano Wine Bar, The Curator is a posh coffee place by day, and a killer bar at night. While I can't comment too much on Curator's Bar Mode (Aside from the fact that it's freaking pricey), I can definitely comment on its cafe version. As a coffee place, it has got to be the most snobbish, and I mean that in the best possible way. No windows, but Curator makes up for it with a lot of style, and a surprising amount of comfort. While Curator's coffee menu is the smallest I've seen, the coffee they do serve is Grade A. Definitely Third Wave, if you're into that. Curator is a nice place to drop by if you want to get out of the sun and want some topnotch coffee. It's also a solid option if you want to impress a date, because Curator wins at style and substance.

It was super cool. It's nestled behind a wine and deli which is not in operation so continue walking towards the back. Boyfriend got the bacon and cream cheese croissant and I got the honey grilled cheese. It was good. I liked the taste and was pleasantly surprised. They are known for coffee, but heres the thing... I don't drink coffee. I was a little bit disappointed to see that they didn't offer any other alternative like tea. They do offer cold pressed juices though. I ordered a ginger soda, which was on their pressed juice menu, and also doesn't make any sense because we asked what it was and its basically sparkling water and ginger syrup. Syrup is not juice and neither is sparkling water. Overall my experience here was just ok and it could've been different if I was a coffee drinker, but the place looks super cool so get your Instagram accounts ready for some photos and videos. Update: I came here tonight for drinks and the experience was AMAZING. The group came in tonight and it was crowded. We (only three of us) managed to find a small table and an employee asked us if we wanted to sit at the bar. We said yes and it was so awesome. Butch and Bianca were so hospitable and gracious and upon sitting down introduced themselves and asked for our names! At this point no drinks have been ordered. We were given snacks and all the drinks were sooooo good! I can't remember the names? But do not worry because no matter what, you will be in good hands. We tipped them 1,000 pesos and it was so well deserved. Please, tip your bartenders. They are artists and mixologists. They put love and care into your drinks and that must be recognized. If you can't afford to take care of the people who serve you, then don't come at all.

Loved it , plane and simple. Walk through the coffee shop and through the back door and you'll find a gem of a cocktail bar , in every sense of the word. Advice: sit at the bar , the fellas are top notch !! Can't wait till I'm back in the Philippines

New establishments mushroom around Makati in such a fast pace that I always find something new to explore every time I would hang around the district, and most of these new establishments have cool concepts that always make me wish I'd thought of them first. One of such establishments is The Curator Coffee and Cocktails, which is just about the coolest watering hole you can find in the area. What I love about The Curator is its attempt at bringing the speakeasy culture in the Philippines. I love speakeasies because of their mystery and their exclusivity, and The Curator feels exactly like a secret bar or hideaway because it is tucked discreetly behind a wine lounge. You have to know where to look in order to find it, but as soon as you step into their bar, you will instantly fall in love with the cavern-like feel that lends a very exciting and enigmatic feel to the place. The place is dimly lit, the walls are raw and unfinished concrete, and the furniture is sparse yet comfortable. Hip music is piped over the speakers. The guests are afforded a view of the bar, where the magic happens. Another unique selling point for The Curator is its extensive bar setup. In the morning, from 7AM to 6PM daily, they open the espresso bar where they serve coffee from the famous EDSA Beverage Design Group. As soon as they shut down the espresso counter, cocktail hour begins and you can sit by the bar and have the mixologist-in-residence mix up a cocktail for you - you can select from the a la carte menu, or you can have them personalize a cocktail according to your preference. Expect to fork out some considerable dough, though the experience is something that every fun-loving coffeeholic and cocktail enthusiast should try at least once.

After my afternoon shoot in Legazpi, I realised that I had not been to one of the coffee places that my friend had told me to try. As soon as I stepped into The Curator, it felt like I was led to a secret meeting place of villains who play poker in between while waiting for the hero to arrive and rescue the damsel in distress. I mean, I went off base with that description. However, it does look so mysterious from the inside. Aside from being a cafe, The Curator doubles as a cocktail bar. I didn't get the chance to try their The Girl With The Pearl Earring because I arrived before they could serve cocktails. I did ask which coffee they could recommend based on what I'm currently feeling and they gave me Kenya. Coincidentally, it was their BOD (Brew of the Day at P120). Kenya believe it was good? It was dark and rich. It somehow legitimised the fact that I am probably in a super villain's lair. And I'm no coffee connoisseur but it somehow had a citrus taste to it. With The Curator, the twist to enjoying your coffee is by way of using liquid sugar. They're all placed in a test tube and properly labeled. I didn't want to lose the flavour to the sugar but I went for the muscovado a bit. I also had their Belgian Chocolate Lace Cookie (P70) so the sugar wasn't necessary. I've yet to come back and try out their cocktails or possibly just go for breakfast. I'm excited to bring a friend over so we can try a handful of their craft cocktails, be drunk and be merry.

Awesome place for custom craft cocktails. The waitress working simply ran down a list of questions of my alcohol and drink preferences and let the bartender work his magic. I told her I wanted a cocktail that was refreshing and spicy and she returned with exactly that. The food is also fantastic. Highly recommend the grilled cheese

It's across the street from the bank and is through a coffee shop. Look for the people smoking outside and the uninterested late night barista and they will direct you to the door to get to the curator. Ample seating and plenty of light, it's a good place to hang with friends over a nice cocktail. The menu is well designed and even if it's considered expensive, it puts well crafted cocktails on the map. The music is indie folk/top 40's and as much as I enjoyed it, I wish they stuck to a more classic soundtrack so you could focus on the experience instead of having people Shazam/Soundhound it. The space seems a bit barren and with the super brightly lit hallway to the bathroom, it's sorta distracting. Will have to come back to try the coffee.

You'll find the Curator at the corner of Legaspi and Palanca. It's a bar that's literally hidden behind the door of a wine shop named Cyrano. The venue is well designed, and the staff is very friendly - especially the bartenders. The cocktails are interesting, and their menu changes periodically. I think a hidden bar like this is quite smart and creative, but a bit risky at the same time. That said, I'm told that regulars tend to be very loyal, and come back quite often, so it's all good :-) On the downside, the cocktails are priced a bit on the high end, but I'm going to make a point to try this place again.

Everything about the concept of the hidden bar definitely earns my star. However, the menu and the price of the drinks, living in the area, I would not fairly rate well. I've had my share of better tasting cocktails in fancier places (with better lighting and interiors) and yet would not end up paying as much as I did here. I would not recommend this place to splurge money on overrated fancy drinks. I would expect people to dress even better with how much the drinks cost. I am generous with my 3 star review because regardless, bartender/barkeeper was hospital and friendly.

Discovering secret places in Makati always excites me. I know that there a lot more that I haven't discovered and I've already made it a personal goal to find them all. As much as I try to keep whatever I found to myself and a few friends, I'm really not good at keeping secrets. I announce my discoveries as soon as I stumble upon them. I've already told a lot of people about Curator; I think its time to tell you all about it, guys! Curator hides itslef at the back of the wineshop called Cyrano at Palanca street. The first time I was here, it was a friday night and I was out for drinks. I was a little bit puzzled, thinking I got lost looking for it. The entrance to narnia is just a freaking door! Second time around, just around lunch, I was surprised to see the door open. I think they do two different operations on mornings and in evenings. I learned that they serve cocktails and drinks at night, cofee and juices by day. Glad I was able to try the feel on both occasions. I like it better during the day because, helloo, me like coffee. It's so strong but you can also sweeten it by adding liquified white sugar/muscovado/honey/brown sugar on it (yes, they have it all!). Ooh! And with a side of milk, of course :) Try it soon!:)

A fun place with half decent cocktails! You might need to fight for attention when it's busy. But some good times are to be had here ...

Definitely hard to find. We called and they met us and they met us to brought us to their location. Drinks are definitely creative! Had a great time with friends. We were offered a free drink by the bar tender.

Probably not coming back here again. Ordered cold brew coffee as a repeat customer. CALMLY gave feedback that what was served tasted watery and diluted, unlike before. LADY BARISTA ANGRILY RETORTED THAT IT IS 'LIGHT' WITHOUT CHECKING THEIR REMAINING BREW FIRST. Even had the gall to suggest that I order something else off their menu.

The Curator is a designer coffee shop by day, cocktail bar at night, owned by four partners who divide day and night operations amongst themselves. It has, or had, something of a speakeasy reputation when Manila speakeasies were absolutely the thing. On a hot, hot day, The Curator turned out to be the perfect escape. It has cold-brewed coffee (six, 12 hour brews), cold pressed juices without processed sugar, and a smattering of food. The music selection - impeccable, I loved it - is played down low, so you can work, or chat quietly with a friend at one of two communal tables, or settle down by the bar counter, where the bartenders on board will keep you company. I wasn't well that afternoon, so I picked out a three-apple juice that was kind to my stomach, while my new friend tried the six-hour cold brew, a hot brew, and a perfectly capped latte. I tried, which means to say I sipped, just to get an idea (and all I was thinking, "must get well! must get well!"). We admired the wall etchings, the shelves with the books with the homemade distillations (spices, fruits), and soaked in the good music. We made friends with the bartenders, and the people who drift in and out quietly of The Curator seemed to be friends with them, too. Awesome. The easiest way to find is to enter via Cyrano Wine Bar, which is a good stop on its own; buy a bottle, and sometimes the owner, Alex, will have a few nibbles to go with his carefully chosen selection. It's not a big space, and maybe its character changes when that happens, but I daresay it's not going to disappoint.

Had one too many whiskey and my throat wasn't feeling well but I wanted to keep drinking, so the bartender fixed me a little magic drink that's Some grinded ginger 3 part dry gin 1 part lime juice 1 part honey Anyways, this place is amazing :)

THE best coffee I've found in Manila.... and I've been testing heaps!

It's a really interesting place to go to. I went here for drinks. If you are looking for a chill night just talking with your boyfriend or girlfriends, this is the place to be. This is also a good spot to drink alone, because the bartenders can keep you company. For my order, I just told the bartender what i like to drink and they made a cocktail specially for me. Because they were adding food to their menu, they gave us free sample of crackers and dip they will. Overall, we had a great night of conversation and drinks. I will surely come back to The Curato thirsty for more new cocktails.

The friendliest and most knowledgeable bartenders in town. Love the low key vibe here. Check this place out if you want to get out of the hectic crowd and loud noises of makati.

The world is having a cocktail moment, and it seems like one of the only places tuned into that energy is The Curator. They are a little bit more experimental and the place is what people want now - somewhere that's hidden, somewhere dark, somewhere that's friendly and good for groups. It's also a pretty multi-faceted place because it's a breakfast-brunchy type of place during the day and during the evenings it starts to serve some really good cocktails. The cocktails are pretty experimental and probably the most interesting you can get in town. Plus there are always special drinks which keeps things interesting. You'll need to ask around to find the place though. It's located at the back of a wine bar. So make sure to do some research before getting here. It took me a while!

The Curator has been on my radar for quite some time, and I was really interested to try out their stuff when I saw some instagram pictures of stuff in test tubes and a rack-- which is really, kind of cool and inspired! Late on, I found out that those things in the test tubes were actually variations of sugar syrup like white, brown, and muscovado, among others I've forgotten, that you can put in your coffee! Kind of cool, right? Anyway, Curator is a bit hidden-- it's one of those Inception places. It's hidden inside the Cyrano winery, though it's not really hard to find, as they keep their doors open. (As compared to Exit and Red Rabbit, anyway). A night, though, Curator starts serving up some cocktails. I'm not sure if I just ordered the wrong one... but I didn't like it. It's fine, and all, a bit more strong than I'd like. But if you're going to Curator, better go for their coffees.

Amazing experience!!! Great atmosphere and even better drinks! Asked for them to make a drink with a couple of specifics and the rest for them to surprise me and she did that time and time again!!! Must stop in and enjoy this hidden gem.

Since we were already in Makati, my friends and I decided to look for the hidden nightspots in the area. We passed through a wine lounge and into the modern tavern where the magic of The Curator happens. The place was dimly lit but I immediately noticed that most of the patrons were well-dressed foreigners. Shelves holding small art and picture frames were lined on the side while the walls are adorned with chalk-written signages containing menu items, quotes and whatnot. As I opened the menu, the first thing that caught my attention was the price. Cocktails were quite expensive but we tried them anyway. Names of the drinks were also very catchy and some were even difficult to pronounce. I got the "New Kid in Town" - a strong and more exciting version of the mojito. It's equally refreshing and a little citrusy but with a little more kick from the mint. Halfway through my glass, I realized that one serving can already give you the enjoyable buzz you need to take the edge off after a long day of work (unless you're really planning on getting drunk then I suggest you get #stillhurting). You can also try their secret drink, Limoncillo - a vodka and lemon based concoction that's light on the head and the pocket as well. Oh, and they serve coffee during the day. Will try to be back to try that out.

Finding Curator is a bit like watching Inception all over again, being a bar within a bar along C.Palanca street in Legazpi Village (We have to go deeper! We have to get drunker!). Because of its obscure location and propensity for slightly more expensive drinks, it's really not top of mind for the everyday office dude. It does however have lovely interiors and a really cozy atmosphere. Not to mention they have great drinks. The owners of Curator also own EDSA BDG, which explains their emphasis on expertly crafted custom cocktails. Unlike BDG, however, Curator doesn't have full craft coffee service (From what I remember, they do but at least not at night). If Curator and BDG were brothers, BDG would be the more steady, chill, smart and geeky bro and Curator would be the suave, sophisticated lady's man. I wouldn't go to Curator every day, but I would recommend it every now and then if you wanted to fancy your night up with delicious "bespoke" drinks.

-Unbelievable kind staff, that gets to know your name and shakes your hand. -probably some of the best coffee around. - insanely cool decoration and setup.. -haven't done cocktails here, but there setup is very impressive, will definitely have to come back for something other than coffee.

Not worth going. Avoid this place. Drinks are mediocre and overpriced. There better places in the aeea. The staff are very arrogant and rude. AVOID!!!!

While most people go here for the awesome ( a bit pricey, but definitely worth it) cocktails they serve at night, I head to the Curator for their great coffee and breakfast selection. They open pretty early -- 7am! -- so it's easy to get a quiet hour with a delicious cup (glass, actually) of espresso here. They have a wonderful but sort of limited selection of breakfast fare -- try the Honey Grilled Cheese sandwich or the Bacon and Cheese Croissant. They have a unique juice selection too that goes great with breakfast, such as the Trapple (triple apple!) and the Electric Green, a personal favorite. When choosing your coffee, allow the very personable staff to explain their selection for you so that you can pick the one that sounds like your cuppa coffee. I always go for Dark Matter, which is full-bodied and not acidic at all, just the way I like it. As for ambiance, once you get past the hipster vibe (haha) here, you'll find that it's very comfortable and quite homey. Browse through their books and pick up a thing or two about the history of your favorite brew or cocktail.

Great little coffee spot in makati. If you can find it, lol. Walk through a closed wine shop, and you have a coffee experience that will keep you coming back for more of their brew!

You can literally spend the whole day in Curator. In the morning, you can grab expresso while at night you can get your usual cocktail drink. Take note it is a speakeasy - so have to go through a wine shop in order to get here. You can hang out with friends and drink the night away. They really have good signature craft cocktail drinks - either go for the Mai Tai, Blood and Sand or the Old Fashioned. One of the reasons why I stay longer in the Curator is because of their exceptional Playlist. I'm a fan of indie songs so when I heard them play Phoenix songs, it made me stay longer. I also love ordering their cold pressed juices. I order this on days when I feel like being healthy. If you catch one of the owners there, it would be nice to get to talk to him. Curator is so open about hearing what their customers have to say about improving their drinks.

When I think "curator", liquor doesn't immediately come to mind. However, this bar within a wine bar (yes, you have to go in through a wine bar to get to The Curator) proves that the name of their bar is absolutely appropriate. Their backbar is filled with so many choices that I am confident they will have anything to satiate the poison of your choice. The resident bartender, Yoma, greets with a smile and asks for your drink. If you're unsure about what to drink, Yoma can mix something up on the spot to whatever flavor you feel like drinking. The drinks here don't come cheap though, but anything on their menu will definitely be well worth their cost. Staying here is very tempting, as this café/coffee shop/bar is open until 2AM (3AM on Fridays and Saturdays). The playlist here sets a very cozy atmosphere; great for reminiscing good times with old friends or making memories with new ones. When you want to just get away from the real world after a long day at work, this hole-in-the-wall speakeasy is sure to take you to your happy place.

When I go for a drink, I usually opt for an Old Fashioned. I've heard some things about The Curator and decided to give it a try. I sat by the bar and the bartender Yuma asked me if it was my first time. I said yes and told him I wanted an Old Fashioned. He asked if I wanted it with bourbon or rye. I opted for the bourbon. He made the old fashioned and served it to me. I took a sip and gave a few nods of approval. I even smiled at my drink. It was good. Man, it was good. I liked that they even gave attention to the kind of ice they used for the drink. They didn't use cubes of ice but one big cube of ice. That kind of attention to detail is what can sometimes make all the difference. The bartender was approachable and knew his stuff. He would tell us about the different drinks and the difference with using this and that ingredient or alcohol. They price their beer here very high so that people don't order beer. This place is for cocktails, so go drink beer in some other place. I like that they don't allow standing room so the place doesn't get crowded like a club or other bars. Although it was a bit pricey, I wouldn't mind paying for a drink that is well made and enjoyable on every sip. I'll come here every now and then to get my fix of a good Old Fashioned and maybe try some other drinks. I'm sure I'll be left nodding and smiling at my drink again.