There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
The Village Bar: A New Speakeasy in Salcedo, Makati
The Wildflour Hospitality Group has seen a major expansion throughout their 12 years in the industry. With 5 restaurant brands and over 16 outposts all over the metro, they’re really sticking to their tagline “Rising like flour”. Their latest is a hybrid setup in Salcedo featuring Pink’s Hotdogs and Pizza Sisters and is so much more than meets the eye.
A Modern Tavern with a Hidden Gem
It’s all regular programming in the front. The facade in a muted blue hides an al fresco seating area with plants and hanging ferns. Terracotta floor tiles lead you towards a glass wall ushering you inside what feels like a modern tavern. Dim lights, dark grey walls, black leather banquette seating, a brick counter and checkered flooring define the space. An archway opens up to a room equipped with large screen televisions where patrons can enjoy watching their favorite sports.
The magic of this place lies behind the thick black curtain at the end of the hallway where the speakeasy called Village Bar lies. Design studio Ladrilyo wanted the space to feel welcoming yet distinct from each other. They incorporated Persian rugs, a mix of cushioned seating, and vintage pieces all throughout.
Ladrilyo’s founder Carol Karthe says, “The interiors were made rustic and cozy by using vintage furniture and featuring dim lighting, old dark woods, dark ceiling and walls, and charming compact bars. This fully meets the requisites for comfort and familiarity.”
The building’s low ceilings were a challenge for this space. To address this, Karthe chose to elevate some seating spaces to create depth. The ceiling, adorned in decorative tile painted black creates an illusion that the ceiling is higher than it really is. A white hexagon tile pattern on the floor defines the spaces, subtly compartmentalizing the different seating areas.
Brick walls or walls clad in distressed and weathered wood planks combine with furniture sourced from second-hand vintage stores. “Waste is something I’ve always avoided. What’s left over is always reused and repurposed,” Karthe explains.
Embracing the Outdoors
Situated beside a creek, Karthe took advantage of the property’s location by adding a long patio area that lined with windows and verdant plants. Black and white checkered flooring bring a brightness to the space. It’s a refreshing space to enjoy a cocktail. “It’s in this semi-outdoor terrace that is quite soothing because it has an open view of the back creek area. A lot of natural light and lights from the street lamps come through in this space. It has a feel of a greenhouse and offers an immersive and unconventional experience,” she adds.
At the far end of the Village Bar, wooden coffered ceilings paired with wooden wainscoting on the walls create an elegant and cozy atmosphere. Framed black and white photos of rock stars such as Freddie Mercury and Elvis Presley line the walls. A pair of Savonarola chairs sit in the corner by the window. Village Bar does a good job in making you forget you’re in the middle of Salcedo village in Makati. Every sitting area has its own personality. “Each space has different characteristics and purposes, and I believe all of them are very identifiable,” she says.
Unmistakably On Brand
Karthe made sure that her design didn’t depart from the Wildflour brand’s existing look and feel. This 345 square meter outpost still feels very much part of the family of brands by Wildflour Hospitality Group with elegant, masculine touches. “The rustic Wildflour design has been preserved but I made sure that the modern needs and elevated sense of aesthetics were not overlooked,” she continues. “The clients are the heart of every project. If we designers listen to them carefully, we can create a space for enriching exchange.”
Village Bar in Salcedo offers an engaging space for a good time, whether you enjoy your drinks with premium hotdogs from Pink’s or an assortment of pies from Pizza Sisters.
Photographed by Jar Concengco.
Read more: Ito Kish Design Food is a Feast for the Senses
A new year is a great time for a fresh start. And what better way to embark on this new beginning than to be in a different living environment? Whether you’re searching for the perfect place or looking to refresh your current space, we’ve got you covered. These four stunning apartment interior designs in the […]
Artificial intelligence, and AI art specifically, continues to have a terrible impact and reputation in the art community. Despite efforts from artists to keep art human-focused, the data suggests that the industry has changed irrevocably for the worst. The Harvard Business Review recently reported that they measured a 17% decrease in freelance art work since […]
To See A Landscape As It Is, the new exhibit from Silverlens Manila, puts together a collection of work from members of the Santos family, all of which work as artists today. The family exhibit includes the works of patriarch Soler Santos, his wife Mona Santos, and their three children Luis Antonio, Carina, and Isabel. […]
Before 2024 ended, color technology company Pantone declared Mocha Mouse as their color of the year for 2025. Channeling the luscious quality of chocolate and coffee, it’s the first shade of brown to earn the Color of the Year title since 1999. Various fields of the design industry, like fashion and media, found stylish and artistic […]
Mark your calendars for January 25, 2025, as the much-anticipated B+Abble 2025 unfolds at The Corner House in San Juan, Metro Manila—a bold example of community-centered design. This marks the 10th year of B+Abble, hosted by the celebrated firm Barchan + Architecture (formerly Buensalido + Architects). The event gathers trailblazers from various creative industries to share […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]