Calling all hi-fi enthusiasts, vinyl lovers, or just people who want to spend a chill afternoon with coffee, drinks, and wonderful music. Vinyl records, or as it’s more colloquially known, “Plaka”, continue its comeback as vintage aesthetics find their way back to the mainstream. In fact, even today’s hottest recording artists are releasing albums on vinyl. Various cafes, bars, and “tambay” places offer records for sale or for play, along with a tasteful selection of drinks.
Check out our list:
1. Hello Phono
“A record bar for vinyl and hi-fi enthusiasts. We serve coffee, alcohol, and good music.”
Nestled on the second floor of Rib Shack restaurant in Quezon City, the record store seemed to be a secret spot for vinyl enthusiasts. Despite its secrecy, it has been gaining more traction nowadays, especially since they’re now inviting DJs to play music, as well as hosting special events.
If you’re looking for vintage aesthetics, then the nostalgic interiors, neon jukeboxes, cassette tapes, and lava lamps will make you feel like you were thrust back into the past (also, lava lamps? Hello? It’s just the perfect cherry on top.).
You can check out their FB and IG pages for events. If you want to drop by on a whim, it’s best to message their IG to know if they’re open!
Location: 2 Scout Rallos cor. Mother Ignacia street 1103 Quezon City, Philippines
“Your friendly neighborhood vinyl pusher…We BUY & SELL Vinyl Records!”
Brought to us by the world-renowned DJ Arbie Won, Treskul offers one of the widest selections of vinyl in the country. Their bar/café also provides good food and drinks, so your auditory and gustatory senses are covered.
Location: 641 Boni Ave, Cifra Building, Mandaluyong
Treskul also has another store in Ali Mall, Cubao, Quezon City
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday (1 PM to 9 PM)
3. 78-45-33
“With around 60 shelves of vinyl records that would amount to approximately 9,000 records, 78-53-86 can probably play different music every day,” NoliSoli.ph.
With great ambiance, exceptional drinks, and, of course, an outstanding selection of records, 78 Bar is the perfect place for hanging out while digging.
Location: QC: 78-53-86 St. Ignatius Village
2nd floor Linear Building
142 Katipunan Avenue St. Ignatius Village, Quezon City
BPI and PNB Bank on the ground floor
GH: 78-53-86 Greenhills
Fox Square building 3rd floor
53 Connecticut St. Greenhills, San Juan
It is the same building as Mien San and East West Bank, Connecticut
Operating Hours: Daily (2 PM-1 AM), yes, even on Sundays!
4. Satchmi
“Satchmi (Satch-mee) is a brainchild of a team brought together by a common infatuation, a company of old souls who thrive on marveling at beautiful things, romantic pasts, and uncommon luxuries. With discerning tastes and even quirky attitudes, the Satchmi team loves to treasure hunt for goods that are born out of someone’s unique obsessions, preferably handcrafted out of cherished traditions and expertise passed on for generations.”
Satchmi became popular by selling the classic Motorino along with their vinyl records, and they serve coffee too!
Location: 4/F Megamall Fashion Hall, EDSA cor Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Operating Hours: (10 AM-7 PM)
Trax Manila Records offers a massive collection of all original, Vintage Vinyl Records of all imported, no local pressing vinyl. They also provide information on vinyl grading, pricing, year of pressing, and country of production. If you’re a big fan of ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s music and pop culture, you’ll find a lot of disco and new wave from these eras as well as original soundtracks of films that were famous during those decades. And yes, a cup of coffee or an ice-cold beer is handy while enjoying music or digging.
Location: 60 Sapphire St. corner Sandalwood, Marikina City
Operating Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays (10 AM-7 PM)
Happy digging!
