When Ten to One Bar and Restaurant opened in February, it was clear on what it intended to achieve: “We wanted to establish a safe space for LGBTQI people in the south of Metro Manila,” said Eunice Roman, co-owner of the venue, who admitted that this is actually “ambitious”, but that it is still “what drives (the existence of venue).”
For Eunice, this is important. A non-scene bi-identifying woman herself, she said it is difficult to make her “come out of my comfort zone”. And she said she knows there are many like her out there. And so – for people like them – there aren’t that many venues to go to if one wants to let one’s hair down (perhaps except for cafés).
WHY GO THERE
1. Design-wise and ambiance-wise, Ten to One eyes to be “a cross between a café and a bar; a “chill” hang-out place. Methinks it’s really more a bar (as emphasized by the offerings); but that it’s a chill place in the middle of a still-largely residential location in BF Resorts in Las Piñas matters. Because there would be suburban LGBTQI people who won’t venture far just to have fun; and this place could – somehow – fill that craving to go out (though not wander to far-off locations).
2. Laid-back peeps. The bar, according to Eunice, wants to create a “community” – i.e. you could come here on your own, and end up finding new friends here. So the approach is pretty laid-back – e.g. Eunice insisted you can always approach her (and her biz partners) even if it’s just to chat.
3. Unli. LP is (in)famous for everything unlimited – e.g. right beside Ten to One is a rest that offers unli-BBQ. Well, Ten to One has unlimited BBQ, too (for P175, from 7PM to 10PM). The unli choices aren’t a lot; but if this is what tickles your fancy, check this out…
4. Peculiar offerings – e.g. the Chicken Skin Nachos comes to mind, which Eunice said (with a laugh) “could kill you, but you die happy”.
WHY HESITATE
1. Location. If you’re a “mainstream” partygoer, then the fact that this place has to be “sadyain (that is, to intentionally go to)“ may not make you want to go to it at all.
2. As a new bar, the foot traffic tends to be inconsistent – i.e. if you want to party, party, party with a big crowd, then (for now) it’s hard to tell when best to come here to be lost in that crowd.
3. Alone-ness – i.e. some bars work because, if they don’t work, you have that option to go to the bar next door. Ten to One is, currently, by itself here; so if you want to maybe move to a nearby bar, there’s none that’s immediately there. This point – of course – only stresses point #1 above…
IN THE END
LP is booming, yes. But it still doesn’t have a lot of LGBT places. For Ten to One to actually “own up” as such is refreshing.
The add-on benefit is that it’s right in the middle of a still-largely residential location in BF Resorts in LP matters. As stated, there would be suburban LGBTQI people who won’t venture far just to have fun. Now this place could – somehow – fill that craving to go out (though not wander to far-off locations).
Ten to One Bar is located at #64 Gloria Diaz St., BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/TenToOneBar/ or call
0915 707 3753.
