The Urban Roamer must make a confession. I love blues music, the most un-mainstream as one can be as far as musical tastes are concerned. As it is, it is frustrating that this music does not have even a little exposure in the city’s pop-infested radio stations or in the downsized record bars. Yet, it is also remarkable and surprising to see the blues scene in the city enjoying a solid and steady presence thanks to the musicians who have the passion for this music as well as the bars that have been supportive enough to hold blues nights for these musicians to belt out their blues.
Then came in 2011 the opening of a bar and restaurant right across the SM Mall of Asia called The Roadhouse Manila Bay. Finally, the blues in the city has a home it can call its own. With its tagline “blues, bikes, rock, and booze,” this restaurant-bar proudly stands out as THE place where one can listen to the blues not just on one night a week but 7 nights a week, with some good old rock and roll music on the side to liven up the nights.
Apart from the music, the interiors show that love for blues and rock as well as the walls are filled with photos of famous blues and rock musicians, concert posters, and even guitars embedded with autograph signatures of Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton.
In addition, The Roadhouse also stands out as venue that holds a special place for the city’s biker and racing culture, where motorcycle and racing enthusiasts feel right at home after a day’s work. I suppose it also helps that the waitresses here are dressed in black leather-type biker apparel too. Stepping in this bar reminds one of those American roadside bars frequented by tough-looking big guys that we see in one of those Hollywood films. Thankfully the atmosphere is cozy and less intimidating.
So if you are feeling the blues, do check out The Roadhouse Manila Bay located at the SM by the Bay near the MOA Eye. You can also check out their Facebook page and their website for more information.
© The Urban Roamer
