More than a drinking destination

Poblacion has always served as the hippest backdrop for some of the coolest events in Manila.

The local nightlife scene just hit the next level with the launch of Verde, a concept bar and creative space in the middle of Poblacion’s energetic soul. More than a drinking destination, Verde fuses the best in local creative culture and the spirit of Heineken, a convergence of world-class experiences.

In the past decade alone, Poblacion in Makati City has steadily evolved into a vibrant, artistic and foodie hub, and it’s only getting better. Formerly notorious as a red-light district in a sleepy neighborhood, Poblacion is now home to a slew of unique, independent establishments, drawing hundreds of locals and tourists all-year. Avant-garde art galleries set next to quaint eateries, hipster cafes with innovative retail spaces, upscale restaurants mingling with karaoke bars. They come together to form the epitome of Manila nightlife. Its unique charm and grit have often been compared to other hipster neighborhoods such as Williamsburg and Greenwich Village in New York.

LEFT to right: Alberto Rivera (VP Brewing Technology), Michael Tan (LTG group President and COO), Hubert Tan (Senior VP, Asia Brewery), JW Paans (AB Heineken Sales Director, and Anne Canda (AB Heineken Head of Marketing.)

“Poblacion has always served as the hippest backdrop for some of the coolest events in Manila, so when we were presented with the opportunity to partner with Nicole and Jonathan Thorp to co-brand a bar, we knew that this was also a great chance to bring Heineken’s world class experiences to Filipinos. This is where cultural trends are being birthed, and this is where we want to strengthen our community,” says Christian Aguilar, group marketing manager of Heineken Philippines.

Geographically, Poblacion has everything on its side. It’s situated west of the Makati business district, near to one of the metro’s biggest shopping malls, offering a wide view of the city skyline. Vibrant, restless, dynamic, with busy streets pulsing with traffic and people, it has the elements that are in sync with the energy, diversity and spirit of Heineken.

“Beaming with green lights — from its façade to the interior light fixtures, Verde is a standout in a seemingly uniformed look of most bars in Poblacion,” says Nicole Thorp, co-owner of Verde.

“The ethos of Verde is to seamlessly merge culture, music and creativity, without losing any important elements of a contemporary bar. On that note, Verde truly represents what Heineken is known for: curator of world-class experiences,” she adds.

Poblacion’s evolution can be attributed to successful gentrification, but one cannot ignore the vital role of young entrepreneurs, innovative restaurateurs and passionate artists in forming this community. It’s this same cross-pollination synergy that has inspired Heineken, Nicole and Jonathan Thorp, the creative trifecta behind Verde, to take the best of Manila’s creative scene to greater heights.

Verde officially opened to the public on 18 October. It is located at 8479 Kalayaan Avenue corner Fermina Street, Poblacion, Makati City. For more updates, follow Heineken Philippines on Facebook (www.facebook.com/heineken) and on Instagram at @heineken_ph. You can also check Verde on Instagram (@verde_mnl).