September 5th, 2011
Conway’s at the luxurious Makati Shangri La has long been one of the most popular bars in the upmarket Manila financial and entertainment district of Makati. The combination of a stylish, contemporary bar, with nightly live entertainment, has proven a successful formula, and nightly Conway’s attracts a good mixture of both local and foreign guests. For the after-work crowd- a seat at the striking bar is the ideal spot to enjoy a few of the signature cocktails of Conway’s, and some of the delicious bar snacks. Generous “Happy Hour” promotions make this an even more compelling choice. For those arriving later in the evening, the live bands every night create the party atmosphere until the early hours of the morning. There is also the option for dining outdoors on the covered terrace, where meals and drinks can be enjoyed in comfort whilst taking in the bustle of the busy Makati streets just below.
The Makati Shangri La has a prime location in the heart of Makati, and is directly adjacent to both the main shopping malls of Glorietta, and the dining and shopping options within the sprawling Greenbelt complex, and also is convenient to the main CBD office towers in the financial district. Accessed from the main hotel lobby via a broad curving staircase to the second level, the space at Conway’s incorporates a large main room, with a prominent curved bar, band stage and dance floor, a glass enclosed smoking room, and an adjacent outdoor terrace area overlooking the busy streets of central Makati. The interior style is consistent with the expectation of a luxury Shangri La property, with an understated contemporary interior design, highlighted with some outstanding elements of opulent extravagance. The main curved bar features an attractive lighted “island” bottle display, a long curved black marble bar counter, and spectacular black crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling directly above the bar. The large room has seating at tables and booths, plus a number of counters for standing or sitting on high chairs.
The outdoor terrace area provides a different setting from the from the more ebullient bar inside. More a “chill-out” space- with comfortably upholstered outdoor lounge seating, and some table seating under large parasols, the terrace has a “resort” atmosphere- with the warm tropical air and tree top vistas over the city skyline a contrast to the air-conditioned interior bar.
In addition to all the “regular” drinks to be expected at a premium bar- champagnes, wines, spirits, beers – Conway’s specialise in their cocktail creations, with some very enticing concoctions to tempt the cocktail aficionados. And a specially featured “performance”- reserved for birthday or other special celebrations, is the “Flaming Lamborghini“- where the bartender will line up a rainbow assortment of shooters along the bar- and pour liquor over the bar- which is then set on fire for a bar-top spectacle.
Some of the featured cocktails are shown below.
Margarita- Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, triple sec, lime juice
Asiatini- Stolichnaya vodka, Grand Marnier, ginger strips, mango juice, calamansi juice
Frozen Margarita- Curacao, Triple Sec, Calamansi juice, Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila, lime juice.
Pink Blush- Bombay Sapphire Gin, Triple Sec, Dalandan juice, strawberry syrup, mint leaves
For guests with an appetite, the Bar Menu offers a selection of Entrees, Assorted Trays, Quick Dishes, and more substantial “Fillers”- such as an Angus Beef burger, Pizza and Hotdog. Some menu highlights-
Crispy chili frog legs with chili mayo
Sugarcane prawn, crab cakes and chili salmon belly
Crispy curried soft shell crab
Nightly live music is a key element in the continued attraction of Conway’s as a nightlife destination, and by having a roster of local Filipino bands that changes every night, even the most frequent guests would find it difficult to become bored with the variety of music played. The music ranges from acoustic tunes, to covers of Top 40 hits, and dance medleys. The band roster changes monthly- so there are always new musical talents to be discovered and enjoyed.
Conway’s have attractive nightly Happy Hour promotions- from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm, with unlimited local beers, and selected wines and cocktails for Php 500++ per person. Wednesday nights are “Ladies’ Nights”– with an open bar for Cosmopolitan, Strawberry Margarita and Tomahawk cocktails, plus selected wines and local beers- for all ladies from 8:00pm ~ 11:30pm- at only Php 500++ per head.
Slide Show
Conway’s – at Makati Shangri La, Manila
Address: Level 2, Makati Shangri La, corner Ayala Avenue & Makati Avenue, Makati City 1200. Philippines
Reservations: +63.2. 840 0884
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/manila/makatishangrila
Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/MakatiShangrila
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 5:00pm ~ 2:00 am
Friday & Saturday 5:00pm ~ 3:00 am
Sunday 5:00pm ~ 12:00 midnight
Happy Hour: Daily from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm Unlimited local beers, selected wines & cocktails @ Php 500++
Ladies’ Night: Wednesdays 8:00pm ~ 11:00pm Open bar for Cosmopolitan, Strawberry Margarita & Tomahwak cocktails, selected wines and local beers- Php 500++ for the ladies.
