Over the past year, Poblacion has quickly become a hot spot for hole-in-the-wall restaurants and watering holes with new happenings popping up almost every month. Recently opened Run Rabbit Run is the latest addition to Poblacion and they call themselves “your new local neighborhood cocktail bar.”
Run Rabbit Run will lead you down the rabbit hole towards its Wonderland – a place to escape from the day’s worries, stumble upon a friend or two, and delight over their curated cocktails.
Step into their Poblacion hideout and see what they have in store:
Run Rabbit Run
4991 P. Guanzon st, Makati, 1012 Metro Manila
Operating Hours: Monday to Tuesday 6PM-1AM, Wednesday to Saturday 6PM-3AM, Closed on Sundays
Mobile: +63 908 897 0668
E-mail: drink@runrabbit.run
Facebook: RunRabbitRun.ph
Instagram: @runrabbitrun.ph
Website: www.runrabbit.run
Run Rabbit Run does not have any large outdoor signs, nor is their façade typical of the establishments in the area, so the chance of missing it is high.
Located on the same street as Dulo, look for a house with two bright red doors, and enter through the door on the right.
Spot their gold-framed logo to verify that you are at the right place.
The interiors are a mix of plush couches and wooden furniture.
Each piece is carefully curated from furniture shops all over the metro – Dapitan, Evangelista, Cubao – name it, they’ve been there.
Further inside is the main bar area, where patrons can choose to sit by the bar, or in the seats along the wall.
Their drink wall proudly displays their collection of whiskeys and gins, all ready to be turned into their cocktails.
Upstairs is a rooftop deck ideal for intimate gatherings, weather-permitting, of course.
Look for the third red door!
THE DRINKS
Run Rabbit Run takes pride in carefully curating unique creations for their signature cocktails. All of Run Rabbit Run’s Signature Cocktails are priced at ₱ 400 each.
Menu: Signature Cocktails • Classics and Other Alcohol
Jessica Rabbit • Bourbon, lime, and lemon oleo saccharum, rosso infused with cloves and star anise
Quite similar to an Old-Fashioned, this drink is a wonderful blend of spices without the strong taste of bourbon. Easily my favorite!
I love how they served it too! Vermouth is poured over dry ice for additional flair.
Chillin’ Like a Villain • Gin, peach syrup, citrus, egg white, sampaguita mist
A light, fruity, and floral drink – the whiff of the sampaguita mist augments the summery feel of the drink. Also, the addition of the egg white turns this smooth drink to something more velvety.
Mr. Truffles • Cachaca, Truffle essence, pandan syrup, pineapple, citrus
I love truffle in everything. Pizza, pasta, breakfast, desserts – you name it. But I’ve never had it in a cocktail. (That’s not saying much since I’ve been a teetotaler until last month) The white truffle essence adds a sensation of allure and whets the appetite. I felt the need to have something even more savory to pair with the drink.
The bartenders are trained by their Singaporean counterparts to ensure that the quality is consistent.
Kaya Toast • Spiced rum, kaya jam, peach liqueur, citrus, egg white, honey
A signature from their original location, Bitters and Love in Singapore, the Kaya Toast is an homage to its namesake and one of Singapore’s most popular breakfasts. This works best as a dessert cocktail.
Halo-Halo • Rum, bourbon, gula melaka, cream, vanilla liqueur, coconut nectar, homemade tapioca, beans, lemon bitters
If Singapore has their own signature drink, Run Rabbit Run made sure that the Philippines had its own too. Mix this as you would a regular halo-halo and drink through the straw to reach the sago. Among all the cocktails that we tried, the taste of the alcohol was most apparent in this drink.
If I had just one word to describe the cocktails from Run Rabbit Run, it would be: dangerous. Dangerous for someone like me who’s only learning to drink. There’s barely any burning sensation when I down the drinks, and the flavors blend so well that I can’t help but take sip after sip. And apparently, sugar and alcohol isn’t an ideal mix.
Shots (₱ 250 each, 30ml) • From L-R Ichiban (Gin, yuzu), Rum Rabbit Rum (rum, fresh banana, vanilla, lemon), Mad Hatter (Gin, basil smash)
Cleverly named, these shots pack a punch in both flavor and spirit. My favorite among the three is the Ichiban as I like citrusy flavors.
Soon, they plan to expand their menu to also include bar chow. For the meantime, they’re focusing on serving the best drinks.
When asked about the challenges of opening a bar in the Philippines, Fiona Fernandez, Events and Marketing Director, commented on the huge difference between the Singaporean and Filipino crowd. “In Singapore, people just drink until midnight and they’re done. Here, people come in at 11 and finish at 3, almost as if they didn’t have work the next day!”
FINAL THOUGHTS
I love the overall vibe of Run Rabbit Run. Its ambiance transports you from the bright streets of Poblacion to a moody, almost isolated but not lonely environment. Their music plays at just the right volume and is a great mix of indie alternative and EDM – from Glue by Fickle Friends to Million Bucks by Smallpools.
The creativity behind all their signature cocktails is an indication of their attention to detail and pendant desire to serve drinks only of the highest standard.
For something closer to a classic, order the Jessica Rabbit. For something new, have the Mr. Truffles. Budget at ₱ 800/head.
Live an Awesome Life,
Monique of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of Run Rabbit Run. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Check out their coasters with a cool reverse court card design!
