4 Ingredients for a Successful Rock Bar

Do you want to start your own business in Cebu? Would you want to own your own rock bar? Then here are some tips that might help you.

But before that we need to acknowledge the rock bars that have become pioneers and established the rock bar formula here in Cebu.

Right now Cebu has three main rock bars, that would be The Monastery, KOA Treehouse and Handuraw The Events Café. A special mention goes out to The Headquarterz and Villa Musika who are slowly carving their names on the Cebu rock scene.

So are you ready to rock? Here are some tips on how to be successful in the rock bar business.

1. Location – The Lahug – Gorordo stretch is slowly becoming Cebu’s very own art/ rebel/ musicians hub. So having your own rock bar along the KOA Tree House to The Monastery area will always be a good sign your business will be a boom.

Though right now, there is promise that the location of the Headquarterz will be the next hub for rock bars but we still have to wait and see.

Then Villa Musika because of its location in Opon makes it also another destination especially those rocker dudes out in the island.

2. Ambience – Gone are the days that you just throw in some tables and chairs then you’re good to go for a rock bar. The present day rock bars need some sophistication. This is where the ambience comes in.

Some commonality among the rock bars right now, they are usually converted old houses. So that’s an obvious way to go.

Ambience also tells you that your rock bar should have a concept. Designing the walls with art, sculpture, installation like what Handuraw Pizza Gorordo is a good example.

3. Food – This one is truly a game changer. When rock bars started having their own special menu. People saw the change and started to dine in rock bars. What happened is that rock bars now had 2 types of people coming in, the first type came in for dinner between 7-9pm and the second type came in at 9-12pm for the events.

This new found versatility has enabled rock bars to last longer and don’t need to fold up even if the art and music scene goes bust.

4. Outdoor area – By putting in a place where people can just drink and talk, the rock bars added another component to its versatility.

Let’s face it, people usually just want to drink and chill and don’t want to listen to bands. Having an outdoor area for dining and drinking gives them another choice to stay.

I hope you have learned something new. So start planning for your own rock bar!

About the author: N.M. CABANGBANG or “BANGBANG” has been writing about events, art and culture for MetroCebuNews since June 2014. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at the University of the Philippines Cebu and was the chairperson for two major student organizations, namely Fine Arts Student Organization (1997-1998) and Nagkahiusang Kusug sa Estudyante political party (1998-1999).

Since 2010, he has been an ART teacher at B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy and is also the football coach for the school’s women’s team.

He is also the singer/songwriter of the rock & roll band PALTIK which has released their self-produced album, “Here Come the Guns of the South”.

He is happily married to his beautiful and talented wife, Rizza Del Castillo –Cabangbang and lives with their three beloved dogs: Choknut, Cream-O and Moby.