The Island Opens Hip Tequila Pop-up Bar, Hola Chica

Where: The Island, Uptown Bonifacio Information Center, 9th Ave cor 36th Street, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig, Kalakhang Maynila
Operating Hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays, 6 pm onwards
Price per head: Php500+ for food and drink
Contact Number: 0917-689-8888
Signature drinks: Last Mariachi, Shiso Me Sour, Mr. Bigote, Oaxaca Old Fashioned, and shooters, Tequila Swerve and Tequila Pickleback

The Island in BGC recently launched a new hangout place, the pop-up bar called ¡Hola Chica!. Hola Chica is a Mexican-inspired tequila bar straight out of a neon dream. Its interiors come to life with its vibrant aesthetic—pictures and murals of Mexican sugar skulls and motifs beautifully-illuminated in hues of multiple colors.

Click here to learn about tequila  

Apart from the tequila by the bottle or straight-up shots, Hola Chica offers a wide-array of tequila-based concoctions that will excite your palate.

If you’re in for tequila classics cocktails, grab a glass of Margarita, Paloma, and Tequila Sunrise priced at P250 to P350. These classic drinks will keep you and your friends coming for seconds or thirds throughout the night.

For the experimental palate, here’s what we liked on the menu:

Last Mariachi (P400) is Hola Chica’s play on the classic gin cocktail, the Last Word. Instead of gin, they used tequila to elevate the cocktail together with the other ingredients, Chartreuse, green apple syrup and juice, and Maraschino liqueur.

Tommy’s Margarita (P450), it’s a Margarita with the omission of Cointreau but made with Patron Silver, lime juice, and agave.

Shiso Me Sour (P400), a crowd favorite. Made with Jose Cuervo Traditional Silver, Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal, pickled ginger, shiso leaf, lemon juice, passion fruit juice, and sugar syrup. It’s complex with herbal kick from the shiso leaf. You’ll end up sipping more than twice to discern the taste, and before you know it, you finished the glass.

Mr. Bigote (P400), (Mr. Mustache) their take on a stronger Negroni, hence the name. It’s a mix of Boulevardier and Mezcal Negroni in a glass, who wouldn’t love that! Using Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal, Cocchi Americano, Martini Rosso, and chocolate bitters, this drink is what you go for when you’ve had a bad day as it will get you smiling in no time!

Oaxaca Old Fashioned (P300), named after the southern state of Mexico and the heartland of mezcal, this drink is spirit-forward with a smoky overtone. Made with 1800 Reposado, Del Maguey Mezcal, agave syrup, Angostura bitters. if you like deep, woody profiles, this one takes the cake.

Now, for some Tequila shots. Be warned; tequila gained a notorious reputation for massive hangovers and a lot of regrets because of shooters. We still like our tequila sipped and savored not knocked back with a wince and a wedge of lime. Hola Chica’s Tequila shooters are cocktails in shooter portions, and they use 100% Agave tequila’s so if you down more than a few, the hangover will be your fault, not the menu.

Tequila Swerve (P150 | Jose Cuervo Traditional Reposado, Lychee Liqueur, Campari) – It has a softer woody profile with a bit of a fruity and bitter note from the lychee and Campari.

Tequila Pickleback (P150 | Jose Cuervo Traditional Silver, Pickled Jalapeno, and Pineapple Juice) – their tequila version of a classic pickleback shooter (a shot of whisky chased by a shot of pickle brine). Albeit a bit daunting, has a sweet, pleasantly-surprising kick. It has a spicy finish that’s mellowed down because of the pineapple juice, so it’s relatively refreshing to drink.

If you’re looking for an intimate hub to let loose and be free, check out Hola Chica on your next night-out with your friends at The Island. With tequila and mezcal on the menu, it’s bound to be an awesome night!

Follow more news about Hola Chica at The Island’s Facebook Page.