The 70's Bistro: Pinoy Rock Haven

Ratings:
Food: 4/5, good food but prices are kinda steep for my kind. My favorites are sizzling hotdog (180 Php), and of course the sisig (250 Php).
Place: 5/5, small place but air-conditioned and smoking is not allowed, which is good. Clean restooms!
Service: 4/5, waiters are accommodating,
Prices: 4/5, door charge is usually 150 Php (with 1 free drink), but it changes depending on which band is performing. If a more popular band will take stage, it is usually higher but not too much.

There's this bar in the outskirts of the Metro that caters to Pinoy Rock lovers. Big name bands have been performing at this joint for years. To name a few are Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikaze, Franco, Noel Cabangon, Dong Abay, Wolfgang, even the Eraserheads had performed in this place some time ago.

For my love of 90's OPM Rock music, I followed my favorite 90's rock artists in social media.. That was how I discovered The 70's Bistro. I saw their posts jamming in this small bar room. The place is cramped in my opinion but that's what makes it special because you get to rub elbows with the country's top artists in this nice little Bistro. Plus, it's a non-smoking bar!

On our first time there, we arrived too early (9:00 PM), and were the first customers. Brownman Revival was set to perform that night. The bouncers were very polite, and very minimal frisking was done to us, maybe because we are the types who looked like we won't do any harm. We entered the room, and all the tables were empty but some of them were reserved especially the ones directly in front of the stage. We were lucky enough to be seated on the table two rows away from the stage so we still had a very good view of the performers. Anywhere you sit is a good view though, since the room is not that big.

Bands start performing at around 10:00-10:30 PM, so while waiting, we started with our complimentary drinks and ordered Sizzling Hotdog for pulutan while watching a video of Carlos Santana's and Linkin Park's concerts projected on the screen. Nothing special with the food here, because you don't go here for the food right? You go here for the music.

As expected, people poured in at around 10:00 PM. The first band that performed, a front act for Brownman Revival did a good job. They performed an original song they composed, which remarkably sounded like Session Road's "Cool Off". After a couple more songs, the front-act wrapped up, and Brownman Revival band started setting up the stage for their instruments.

Remember when I said that you can rub elbows with local celebrities here? Well, while Brownman Revival was performing onstage, Daryl Shy came in and sat right next to our table. He was one of the contestants in the Philippines' franchise of The Voice and was my favorite because I saw him as an artist, not just a performer with a great voice. He was then invited by Brownman to do a number and he graciously obliged. He performed No Woman, No Cry with Brownman, and did a cover of Bob Marley's Redemption Song.

Darryl Shy performing with Brownman Revival

Our second time here, we were rocked by the old school The Jerks. I never expected them to be that good in performing cover songs but they did justice to old school rock songs, especially by The Beatles

The Jerks

The Jerks

The Jerks

My favorite night here was when Wolfgang rocked the house. I had been itching a long time to catch one of their gigs and finally did it here in The 70's Bistro. Wolfgang was one of the bands that sounded good live and I was a close witness to that. So close, that I am seated just beside the drummer.

After their performance, I caught Wolfgang frontman, Basti smoking outside of the Bistro and asked him for a photo, and he obliged.

The 70's Bistro has been one of my favorite bars to go back to. It's truly a haven for Pinoy Rock fans like me. This is where you get to experience the music of famous Pinoy Rock bands like you are watching them from your living room.

So. if you're like me, who, as a child was inspired by the music of these bands to love rock music, just go to this quaint little Bistro somewhere in the outskirts of Cubao.

 

Wolfgang rocking the crowd!

Tips for Wandering Peasants 

• order beer by the bucket, 1 bottle is 44 Php, 1 bucket (7 bottles) is 288 Php, you save 3 Php per bottle
• for girls, Tanduay Ice is available but is expensive 93 Php per bottle. This is not available by the bucket. My advice is to use your complimentary drinks that came with the door charge if you want Tanduay Ice.
• If you're not that hungry just order 1 meal and use your complimentary drink. You go here for the music/bands anyways, not the food.
• Watch out for your favorite bands. Check out the gig guide of The 70's Bistro from their Facebook page. It's always updated

Location

Useful Links 

website: http://the70sbistro.com/

facebook: www.facebook.com/The70sBistro

menu from zomato.com: www.zomato.com/manila/70s-bistro-project-2-quezon-city/info#tabtop