Twelve Monkeys is a new live music venue that opened roughly 6 weeks ago at the 5th level of Century City Mall in Makati. Already, it is making a name for itself thanks to kind of music you can get here (wide-range!), to the kind of bands that play said music (big–named and top-notch!), and finally, to the food. Unlike most live music venues, where grub only seems like an after-thought to the music, 12 Monkeys has obviously thought things through. Here, food—and drinks!—are taken as seriously as the music. About time somebody did. Below, we list the 12 reasons why people should come to 12 Monkeys.
1. For Pinoy rockstar sighting. Apart from seeing your favorite band kick it on stage, hardly a night goes by without seeing Parokya’s Chito Miranda or Hale’s Champ Lui-Pio hanging out in the premises. That’s because the two are part owners along with ten others, which is why the name.
2. For its location. We can’t remember the last time a live music venue was ever in a mall; we’re definitely giving unique points for that. There are many amenities that go with that: enough parking, safety and security, and the strange sensation of going through a place you’re so used to being crowded, noisy, and well-lit. Because it is right at the al fresco dining area of Century City Mall, with its living wall right smack in the center, it feels like you were in a secret spot in the city.
READ: Guide: Century City Mall
3. For its super panalo sounds. And by that, we mean the place boasts of a really good sound system that seems to say they’re thinking of the musicians as much as the audience. They could give 19 East a run for their sound system money: No annoying feedback, no overbearing bass, no tunog-lata drums. Mad props go to another co-owner Jericho Fernando (of JB Music fame!) who touched-base with Mike Pedero, him of NU 107 and Tracks recording studio.
READ: 8 awesome recording studios where you can wax your demo
4. For the different music genres. 12 Monkeys features different genres every day, allowing for seemingly unlikely band to get up their stage. Mondays are for blues and jazz, Tuesdays for RnB; Wednesdays for mainstream pop; Thursdays are for rakrakan, Fridays for electronica, and Saturdays for indie fare.
5. For the most unlikely of appearances. Would you believe Aegis has actually performed here? We never thought we’d see the day when Aegis finally rocks Makati, and yet here we are rocking along to Aegis, with Makati yuppies in Makati. Other seemingly unlikely performers: recent Manila visitors Toto, Cebu’s sons Shiela and the Insects and Urbandub, heavy music habitués Wilabaliw, and club staple DJs like Abdel Aziz.
6. For the Palabok Pizza (PHP350). Imagine all the palabok sahog, complete with the orange sauce, on top of a thin crust that takes the place of the noodles, and served on a bilao. Galing, no?
7. For the entire menu, actually. Finally, a live music venue that takes its food as seriously as its music. “Progressive Filipino” is how co-owner Ivan Zalameda describes the food at 12 Monkeys. He is quick to credit another partner Raymond Magdaluyo for coming up with such concept. Among other instant favorites: St. Peters Eggs (PHP350), which is a dangerous combination of balut and aligue, and Chito’s Picha Pie (PHP260), with the triangular sweet ham that brings to mind the old 3M favorite.
8. For its impressive, well-stocked bar. Iced-cold beer, both local and imported, premium liquor and spirits, and hey, a decent wine list. What is not to love?
9. For the good, multi-level space set-up. Unlike most venues where it’s almost too difficult to see the band because you’re all on the same level, 12 Monkeys has a casual, multi-level seating: low, plush couches in front, bar seating in the back, with enough room for those who wish to stand up. As most music junkies know, this multi-level set-up is essential for their viewing pleasure and supreme enjoyment.
10. For its smoking area/breathing room. 12 Monkeys is non-smoking, which is fine because there is a spacious smoking area outside, complete with tables and chairs and a view of Makati Avenue skyline. Even better: the actual bar is soundproof so the smoking area becomes something of a proper breathing room. You can do all your chickahan here, not to mention your sightseeing, if you know what we mean.
11. For adapting the strict club policy. 12 Monkeys can accommodate 350 people and when the 350 slots have been taken, they will turn people away. They have actually done so. It is safer (no fire hazard!) and it’s for everyone’s enjoyment—how do you enjoy a set when you can’t even see the band, right? That said, patrons are encouraged to book tables in advance, similar to all the big clubs and lounges in Manila. It may cost you more, but it’s consumable and you will be comfortable.
12. For respecting the musicians who play here. We won’t kid you. The door charge is steep—while it varies on the bands, it’s safe to advise you to prepare about PHP500 just to get in. But: 100% of that goes to the band. “Let’s give some dignity to the music and the bands,” Ivan, who once dreamed of playing in a band, says. Seems like fair trade.
Photos courtesy of 12 Monkeys Facebook page
This story first appeared on Coconuts Manila. For more music related stories, visit Manila.Coconuts.Co.
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