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Cha Lino’s Guide to Exploring the Local Music Scene
Quezon City, Pasig City
This guide is dedicated to people who want to explore the music scene. I sincerely believe that the local music scene is thriving and a huge portion of that is because of all these place where we can experience their music together. These venues are places I personally hang-out in as someone who’s been in and out of way too many gigs to count since 2015. The gig-going culture in the Metro is such a beautiful thing, you’ll realize eventually that most of the time, you’ll see the same familiar faces in the crowd— strangers united by a surge of waves and vibration. At the end of the day, no matter who you are, or where you came from, the music will affect us all the same. We’ll nod to the same beat and shout the same words, and THAT is what we’re paying to see. The experience.
Updated 4 years ago
If you’re looking for the perfect venue to check your favorite bands in the Metro, Mow’s is the place to be. You’ll be surprised that they’ve got gigs even on weekdays, and to be honest it’s always a fun surprise to catch up and coming indie bands that way. I’ve got a pretty big bias about Mow’s because it’s really one of my go-to-venues when I’m organizing or going to gigs in general. It’s spacious, it’s got several venues to choose from— from bar setting to bigger venues like Imperial Mow’s, they’ve also got some pretty awesome food care of the Kowloon House attached to the building. Like their page so you can stay update on their gig schedules, https://m.facebook.com/mowsbar/
- +63 917 632 7921
Kowloon House Basement, 20 Matalino Street, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/mowsbar
If we’re talking about more established gig-going places around QC area, Route 196 has definitely housed some rising bands and artists since 2006. For me, Route 196 has never had a gig that never had a solid line up. It might be a relatively smaller venue, but every time I do go there, the place always seems to be jam packed with so much people, which proves just how much production houses and gig-goers love Route.
- +6326370472
196-A Katipunan Avenue Extension, Blue Ridge A, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/Route196Rocks
Jess & Pat’s is relatively new to the gig scene. Since they relocated to Maginhawa from Marikina, Jess & Pat’s has hosted some pretty great chill acoustic events. Known for their slightly more “wholesome,” approach to gigs, Jess & Pat’s prioritizes the music above all else. They have a strict alcohol ban in the venue, and due to noise regulations, they can also only accommodate to acoustic performances. In return, Jess & Pat’s approach reaches a whole new demographic of audience that are usually hesitant to go to gig venues.
- +63 916 625 5771
2, f, 63 Maginhawa, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila, Philippines
70’s has so much history written within its walls that if the phrase, if these wall could talk was true— 70s Bistro would name a dozen of legends that has graced its stage. 70s Bistro’s the grandaddy of all gig places. It’s one of the places in QC that has hosted so many established and labeled artists, that they have gigs there even on weekdays.
- +6324338070
46 Anonas, Quirino 2-3, Quezon City, 1102 Metro Manila, Philippines
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