Tago Jazz Café
True to its name, Tago Jazz Café is quite elusive, a rather secret hang-out spot for the few in-the-knows. It’s ‘tago’ or hidden, as there aren’t any signs that lead to where the door’s at. Fortunately for us, the exact location of Tago Jazz Cafe can be pinned via Grab or Waze. What makes it worth the search is the good, good times you’re sure to have. Behind the heavy doors and the concrete walls is a bar and cafe lounge that’s at once cozy and intimate, quietly noisy, and often, fully packed. Couch seats sit right in front of the stage, bar stools surround them, and upstairs, small tables and chairs overlook the main event.
Tago Jazz Café offers a no-frills experience, focusing on the music and not on the menu. They serve up classic beers and spirits and comfort food like sisig, dynamite, and grilled liempo to name a few. Every night, you’ll find a diverse lineup of jazz musicians, from seasoned veterans to emerging talents, along with open jam sessions. Founder and owner Nelson Gonzales is a true jazz fan, growing up in a time when the Manila jazz scene was bustling, and a drummer—if you’re lucky, you might even catch him performing—who turned his late grandmother’s house into the Tago Jazz Café it is now with the goal to revive the local jazz scene.
Tago Jazz Café is located at 14 Main Ave., Cubao, Quezon City. It’s open from Fridays to Sundays from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. You may contact them at 0917 138 5299.
Price range: P250-P300 for entrance tickets; P250-580 for food; P60-P4,500 for drinks