This Hidden Bar in Makati Is Back With a New Look

It's a bit of a challenge to find The Bevvy. The pin on Grab or Waze leads you to a nondescript, two-storey building called UPRC III, which is obviously lights-out after office hours—except for the big Chingolo Deli and AUB signs out front. Across it are car dealerships and more office spaces that Chino Roces Avenue Extension is dotted with. It's still about 600 meters further to get to the area's well-known food hub, Karrivin Plaza.

The building's security guard, probably used to it already, points to a dimly lit alley by the side when asked where The Bevvy is. The next thing you know, you're walking down what appears to be a warehouse maze, greeted by a few stray cats. But for Jojo Vega, the owner of The Bevvy and president of Don Revy Philippines Inc., that is exactly the point.

"There's no sign, 'no? That's intentional," he tells me as I walk in during a media event on Wednesday night, April 8. It was only when he gave the short history of this hidden wine bar that I understood the atmosphere it was trying to replicate.

The mother company, Don Revy Philippines Inc., started in 2013 in Poblacion, Makati. It focused strictly on the retail side of the industry: importing premium wine and spirits and supplying them to five-star hotels, high-end restaurants, and other bars. They also have a separate portfolio for supermarkets and convenience stores.

The move to their current location at the UPRC III Building in 2018 was born out of necessity. Their previous spot in Poblacion, the city’s famed nightlife district, had become a logistical nightmare. “We had issues with parking; we weren’t even allowed to unload and load our trucks," Vega recalls. Finally, having an import and supply business tucked inside a bodega feels perfectly appropriate—not just for the industrial aesthetic, but more importantly, for the sheer volume of inventory space it requires. There's a small retail nook at the front for walk-in customers, but it was always intended to be a side business.

However, the customers had other plans. What was set up to be a simple retail shop quickly turned into a makeshift lounge. People didn’t just want to buy the wine; they wanted to drink it then and there. Then came the requests for food.

"We didn't have a kitchen," Vega shares. "We started with cold cuts and cheeses because they’re always ready. But eventually, people got tired of that and asked for hot food."

So they allowed customers to order through delivery apps, but it was an aesthetic nightmare. "The tables were all so messed up with cardboard boxes. It wasn’t the experience we wanted." They started replating the delivery food at the counter, but it became a plumbing disaster.

"It clogged our faucets and sinks because we weren't built for food," Vega says. "I said, 'This cannot happen.'"

In 2023, The Bevvy finally "went to the dark side," as Vega calls it, and invested in professional kitchen equipment. The goal was to create a menu—inspired by Filipino comfort favorites, Japanese bar classics, and European staples—that matched the caliber of the spirits they imported.

The timing of The Bevvy's transformation into a full-fledged dining and experience destination is also strategic. The hospitality industry is currently facing a unique challenge: the drinking culture is shifting. On one end, Gen Z is famously drinking less than previous generations, opting for zero-proof options. On the other end, the older demographic, the veterans of the Makati scene, are scaling back for health reasons.

"Both sides are hitting us," Vega admits in a quick interview with Esquire Philippines. "So what we want is to highlight the food. You’re not just here to drink; you can come over and just have a good dinner."

With this mindset came the recent 2026 renovation. The Bevvy closed for a month and a half to overhaul its layout, swapping out many of the high-top barstools for regular dining chairs to accommodate a crowd that wants to stay for a meal. They also enhanced their al fresco seating, creating a space that feels more like a bistro than a storage facility.

Perhaps the biggest draw of The Bevvy is the price point. Because the venue is owned by the importer, the massive markups found in traditional hotels and bars are almost nonexistent.

"The prices of these bottles, if you go to the hotels we supply, are three times the price," Vega tells us. "Here, it’s like buying in the supermarket. You’re paying retail price, but the experience is leveled up."

Their extensive wine menu includes Cuesta del Madero Reserve Malbec (Argentina) for P845, Lacort Reserva (Spain) for P1,335, Jessiaume Volnay 1er Cru Brouillards (France) for P7,100, Growers Gate Brut Cuvee (Australia) for P730, Jules Taylor Gruner Veltliner (New Zealand) for P1,470, and many more.

The signature cocktails are all priced at P290, including The Bevvy Club, which is a mix of Aber Falls Welsh whisky, Italian bitter liqueur, pineapple, toasted sesame seed, and soda water. It's almost half the price point of most cocktail drinks in Makati and BGC.

The standout for beer lovers is the Pilsner Urquell, served on draft. "Before this beer, all beers were dark," Vega explains. "This is the first golden brown beer in the world, the original Pilsen from the Czech Republic." The owner—who previously worked at San Miguel Corporation for 15 years—explains the standard pour, with three fingers of foam on top of the golden lager, which they're strict about at The Bevvy to seal in the drink's freshness and flavor in every glass.

This attention to detail is part of the "Wow" experience that The Bevvy wants to offer.

"When you go to places like this, you look at three things, di ba? The ambience, the service, the food, and the drinks. So we want to address all of those three. And of course. 'yung experience na, 'Wow! Meron palang ganito," Vega adds. So it's easy to see that "curious newcomers" are part of The Bevvy's demographic.

Their crowd is an eclectic mix: office workers from Chino Roces, residents from the affluent enclaves of Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village, and San Lorenzo. The venue has also become a favorite for intimate private gatherings, offering consumable packages for exclusive use of the space.

When asked what a customer should feel after a night at The Bevvy, Vega doesn't hesitate: "Value."

"We want them to feel like they’ve been to a European bistro that serves comfort food with an extensive drinks list," he says. "They don't feel cheated. They get the best experience, and the overall value is really fantastic."

The Bevvy is at UPRC III Building, 2289 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. When facing the building, head down the dark alley on the left side. It is open from Monday to Saturday, except holidays, from 4 p.m. to midnight.

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