A spot or a bottle to call your own

THERE'S a fairly new night club/lounge in the metro that stocks up well when it comes to its drinks—offering a complete line of flavored vodka, premium vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum, beer and cocktails. Add a skilled bartender that’s able to mix any cocktail anyone would desire—now that’s, taking care of business.

Now that the drinks are all covered, maybe it is time to pay this place a visit?

Labeled, according to one of the establishment’s business partners Michael Ng, is “Cebu’s fresh take on what night clubs could be—a combination of a liquor store, a lounge, a night club and a restaurant with a bold trendy edge.”

This lounge’s location could be considered as quite offbeat. Breaking from a commercial trend opening bars and the like around Banilad and Lahug, Labeled is at Green Orkid Commercial Center, Escario St., Cebu City.

“The location is one such feature,” proudly explained Michael. “Why in Escario? We decided to break from the trend and we also want to give people living around this area a place that’s literally five minutes away from their homes.”

There are already several business similar to this one that has opened in the metro, but aside from the wide selection of imported beer and liquor that’s already mentioned, Labeled challenges customers to purchase the most affordable drinks in town here.

“We offer the cheapest prices of liquors compared to any bar here in Cebu. In fact, our prices are even comparable to a local supermarket. People load up at Labeled first before hitting anywhere else. They will be getting the same quality of drinks at supermarket-low prices,” Michael shared.

And perhaps, the good prices are not only exclusive for their drinks, but the same thing could be said as well with regard to its prime selection of Filipino and American food favorites. Bar favorites like sisig, gambas and buffalo wings are available. But the bestseller would easily be the place’s beefy beef salpicao. Labeled also serves dinner items like fish and chips, crispy pata, pan fried salmon, steaks and breakfast meals at any time of the day.

As for the interior, the establishment makes use of the latest club lighting technology. One of the central attractions is the ceiling being lit with LED lights that are synchronized to the music that range from electronic music, hip-hop and R n’ B to house. Not only that, “(but) by using grey and brown wooden floors, including padded-vinyl seating and tiled walls as well, together, all these elements form Labeled oozing with modernity.

We’ve created an angularly sinful effect that is destined to help our patrons forget the outside world,” Michael stated.

The bar’s name actually refers to customers labeling a bottle of liquor that they have purchased and having the place keep it for them. “Bottle Keep,” as the practice is more popularly known, is a service available here. But more than labeling a particular bottle and getting to drink it still the next time people visit, customers get to label their preferred choice; their style.

With two floors (a non-smoking ground floor where all the right goods are displayed and a smoking second floor that overlooks one of Cebu’s busiest streets), a bar, a lounge, a couple of restrooms and free wi-fi, Labeled is ready to accept visitors every day. The liquor store opens for takeout orders: 10 a.m. onwards. While the bar and restaurant opens at 5:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.