QC Cocktail Gem ReCraft Says Goodbye to Broadway Avenue Location for Now
Manila's bar and cocktail scene has flourished greatly the past couple of years—and we're not just talking about those in Poblacion or BGC. Repping Quezon City is ReCraft on Broadway Avenue, New Manila. If you had the opportunity to visit them, you'll want to hold those moments close to your heart.
The Announcement of Temporary Closure
ReCraft bids us adieu for the time being, as they recently announced that they've completed their "last service" at their original location. ReCraft held its last service at their New Manila location yesterday, January 3, as announced in an Instagram post published that day. The bar confirms the closure in an exchange with SPOT.ph.
But it's far from the end for ReCraft, as they assure us they "won’t be gone long." Regarding the decision to close, "In the true spirit of ReCraft, we felt this was a good opportunity for us to live up to the name, and find a way to reinvent ourselves and be better," ReCraft's Cedric Mendoza tells us.
A Legacy of Craft Cocktails in New Manila
ReCraft was loved and known among those who know. Rather hidden location aside (which arguably adds to the allure of it), ReCraft is home to excellent drinks in an intimate setting. Their range of cocktails was varied, too; you could get everything from a classic Negroni to more personalized sips from their skilled bartenders. They would also have a rotating selection of long-forgotten classics every Wednesday—on one particular instance they shone the spotlight on coffee-infused tipples, like the Revolver and Espresso Margarita.
The bar has even hosted guest bartenders from renowned bars from around the globe, including:
- Taiwan: Gallery 20.5
- Thailand: Mahaniyom
Key Highlights of the Broadway Avenue Location
- Location: Broadway Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City
- Final Service Date: January 3
- Atmosphere: Intimate setting with a "rather hidden" allure
- Beverage Highlights: Classic Negronis, coffee-infused tipples, and long-forgotten classics
The Philosophy Behind the Brand
"When ReCraft opened, we’ve always talked about the idea of closing it," reads the caption on the Instagram post on their temporary closure. Mendoza explains the core identity of the establishment: "ReCraft isn’t a place. It’s an idea—it’s the idea that we need to destroy our old selves to create something new. We did it when we opened, and we’re about to do it again. We’ll burn, abandon, destroy this version of us now to renew, rediscover, recreate, ReCraft."
Future Plans and Quezon City Pride
As for where they'll likely reopen? "We’re always going to be in Quezon City," Mendoza continues. "We opened wanting to prove that there can be good bars outside of known hotspots like Makati and BGC." Mendoza expresses his gratitude for folks of Quezon City, stating: "It’s not an exaggeration to say that [Quezon City (QC)] peeps helped us become the bar that we are. There was a sense of QC pride when we started so we owe it to then to stay here."
In the meantime, you can expect to find them doing pop-ups "here and there, until we’re ready to [Re]turn. At some point, at some place, better than this current version of us." For more information, check out ReCraft's Instagram page.
