IF ONE looks to hot soup for comfort when sick, Jazz Chillin’ Restaurant & Music Lounge should be one’s go-to fix when the nostalgia hits hard. It’s not just a place solely for older folks wanting to spend a night reminiscing their younger years but it’s also a spot where young professionals can gather around for the food, drinks and quality live music thus, making new memories of their own.
What can one expect in a place like this? The name of the music lounge leaves little room for questions, really.
Every night, talented musicians take the stage and serenade the customers. Think of a hotel lounge, except that this one’s actually tucked inside a spacious, private compound along the relatively quiet Rahmann St. The parking space can easily accommodate 20 vehicles, and the place can seat up to 40 customers. These are actually some of the place’s features that make it a favorite choice for exclusive functions.
The interior design exudes a coziness that pays tribute to music lounges in the ‘90s; well carpeted, a few curtains, an art décor that’s easy on the eyes with its strokes of blue and green, and lastly, a large tree illuminating the place with that relaxing shade of yellow.
The live music by the talented guest musicians is both diverse and flexible: Reggae on Mondays, Bossa nova on Tuesdays, Jazz on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Mixed on Thursdays and Piano on Fridays.
The food is direct-to-the-point delicious. Some worth checking out are the Nachos, Sizzling Pork Sisig, Native Chicken Soup, its House Ribs and the “Kapal Muks”—an entire pork face, deep-fried until it’s gloriously golden. That last one is the stuff of perfect beer pairings and dreams. The drinks are extensive as well from juices and shakes, to beers and cocktails. To finish it all off, the halo-halo is a winner.
What this hangout presents is a soothing alternative to the loud parties that “Mango Avenue” (Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City) can be quite capable of producing on a nightly basis. Not that parties are a bad thing, it’s just that options are always welcomed. When the mood is right, the music lounge—just about two to three blocks away from the main street—is capable of switching gears. On some nights, customers happily jam to the live music and get to sing their favorite songs on stage.
That’s basically it at Jazz Chillin’. One sits comfortably, eats and drinks to his heart’s content, converses with loved ones or new friends, appreciates the quality live music and enjoys the overall experience. Repeat the cycle until you’ve decided to call it a night.
Providing an alternative to Cebu’s bustling nightlife, Jazz Chillin’ Restobar is located on Rahmann St., Cebu City and is open from Monday to Friday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.