Havana Club, a Cuban-inspired bar and restaurant offering an extensive range of distilled liquors and spirits, luscious food and upscale experience, recently opened to cater to a growing clientele in the booming Las Piñas, Parañaque and Bacoor areas.
Located within the three-hectare Villar Sipag complex along C5 Extension in Las Piñas, which also hosts a number of other restaurants and stores, Havana Club is positioned as an ideal place for people to chill with friends or spend quality time with family over delicious meals and one or two shots of spirits.
Unlike some of the tenants within the complex, Havana Club, like the Coffee Project, is owned by Vista Land, which is helmed by former Sen. Manny Villar. But Sen. Cynthia Villar, Manny’s wife, who met with a number of journalists during the restaurant’s first week of operations, was quick to point out that the establishment isn’t exempted from paying rent to Villar Sipag.
As the couple’s pet project, Villar Sipag, she said, needs to generate money to pay for its expenses and fund its numerous social responsibility and livelihood programs like waste management through composting as well as weaving of waterlily and coco nets as giveaways and environmental implements, respectively.
Apart from Havana Club, the Villar Sipag Complex’s tenants include Jollibee, Mushroomburger and Mercury Drug, among others. An eight-floor, 140-room business hotel is being constructed, while a nearby Vista Mall houses, among other establishments, Coffee Project, a chain of coffee places also owned by Vista Land.
“We treat each organization separately. Even if, say, Havana Club or Coffee Project are homegrown companies, they still have to pay Villar Sipag. Nothing is for free,” the senator said with a chuckle.
At the same time, Sen. Villar was pleased with Villar Sipag’s existing mix of tenants. People living in the area, she said, don’t have to travel far to savor a wide range of dishes and dining experiences. Although she has no hand in Havana Club’s positioning and future thrusts, the Vista Land-owned company makes her proud since it’s one of her daughter Camille Villar’s babies.
Drinks
When we hear the word Havana, a wide range of refreshing cocktail blends with tropical ingredients comes to mind. Aside from these signature drinks, Havana Club also has an extensive range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks ranging from Philippine local beers to premium drinks like whiskeys and tequilas.
With Havana Club’s first month of operation, the Mojito Cubano and Blended Mojito are by far the best-selling beverages.
Food
Havana Club also takes pride in its premium food selection. Each meal is prepared with the same consistency and style that’s designed to complement the restaurant’s quality liquors, the restaurant’s chef assures.
Although it’s a Cuban-inspired restaurant that serves dishes that are mostly cheesy and meaty like Che Guevarra Burger, La Cubana Pepperoni and Huevos Cubano, there are also bar favorite food options like Crispy Calamari, Buffalo wings, Nachos, and Seafood Chowder that are a sure hit among Filipinos.
Ambiance and experience
True to its Cuban theme Havana Club is designed with rustic paintings, wooden tables, old-fashioned couches and chairs, real plants and mood lights to make you and your friends feel that legitimate Havana vibe. There’s also a small elevated stage for occasional acoustic nights and band performances where customers can freely participate in.
