IN A nearly hidden nook in Matina Aplaya, inside a large commercial space in the middle of a mixed commercial-residential neighborhood, the Weekend Bar is an oasis for those wanting to chill the night away.
The Weekend Bar 2.0 is the second iteration of a popular beach-vibe themed watering hole located inside the Melocoton compound also in Matina Aplaya. The bar which used to be open only on weekends (hence the name Weekend Bar) was a popular place for young millennials.
For Ralph Yap or “Raprap” to friends along with his partners, they decided to move to a new and larger location. They traded the beach vibe feel to a hip retro-lounge style.
“We wanted to change the market, dati mga millennials, now we are targeting the working adults, the yuppies,” Raprap said during one evening at the new Weekend Bar.
From a 20 table set-up, the bar now has about 40 tables in a 130-square meter space. He retained the old Weekend bar bestsellers such as the sizzling bulalo steak, chicken tandoori, and the buffalo wings. Added were new dishes such as the “Heart Attack” his version of the pinakupsan na baboy (rendered pork belly).
The bar is also open on weekdays (except Mondays) unlike the previous weekend-only bar.
“Some of our young customers remain, but we have our new clientele coming over to the bar,” Raprap says.
He says Weekend Bar offers something new to customers.
“We have a unique place, things you can no longer find in other bars,”
The billiard table and the gaming arcade console in the bar harks you back to the good old days of billiard bars and gaming arcades which used to be plenty in the city.
There is an acoustic band playing plus one of the biggest draws, they have a wide selection of reasonably priced hard drinks at a lower cost compared to other bars and liquor stores.
Raprap, a 30-year-old chef who now ventures into Davao’s bar scene, said putting a location in Matina Aplaya is a gamble, far from Davao’s central business district and the crowd has been coming, the Weekend Bar has established its identity.
“We set up the bar business because it’s a challenge and as chef I want to change the notion that those who drink they do not appreciate good food. Here in the Weekend Bar we do not serve your typical pulutan,” Raprap said.
His advice to bar owners, Raprap said one should be very consistent in running the business.
“Since bars are a competitive business, consistency in what you do is very important, like preparing the bar, the food, maintaining cleanliness, bar owners do not work regular hours, it’s a sin to be lazy in this business and you always have to innovate,” Raprap added.
Raprap who once had a catering business said that one takeaway from the bar business was giving yourself a room to nurture. “You must give yourself a space to grow, it’s not just the place that has to improve and grow but you, you also must grow.”
Weekend Bar 2.0 is located at C55 Building, Matina Aplaya, the landmark is the Lots for Less Matina (bar location is at the back) special thanks to Carlos Ramos and Jha Palanca.