There are nights when you want a proper plan, and there are nights when “let’s grab a drink somewhere nearby” is enough. Engkanto Taps Bridgetowne seems built for the second kind, with fresh beer on tap, food for sharing, and enough options to make the usual after-work drink feel a little more interesting.
Located on the Ground Floor of GBF Center 1 in Bridgetowne, along C-5 Road, the new branch brings Engkanto’s taproom experience closer to Quezon City, right near the Pasig border and Opus Mall. Whether you already have a favorite pour or still choose beer based on which name sounds the most fun, here are five things worth trying.
1. Start with a beer flight
A beer flight is probably the best move if you’re not sure what to order yet. Instead of committing to one full glass, you get to try four different beers in smaller pours, which is useful when the tap list has everything from easy lagers to fruitier, bolder, and more experimental styles.
It’s also a nice low-pressure way to figure out what you actually like. Maybe you’re a lager person. Maybe you’re more into hazy IPAs than you expected. Maybe you’ll discover that ube works surprisingly well in beer. There’s only one way to find out, and thankfully, it comes in small glasses.
2. Try the local flavors that don’t feel too gimmicky
Engkanto has a few pours that lean into Filipino flavors without making the whole thing feel forced. Paint Me Purple Ube Lager is the obvious one, especially if you’re curious about how ube translates into beer. There’s also High Hive Honey Ale for anyone who prefers something a little smoother and more approachable.
The nice thing about a menu like this is that it gives you something to talk about while you drink, which is half the fun. You can order based on flavor, curiosity, or pure vibes, and all three are valid.
3. Check what’s new on tap
The core beers are there for a reason, but the more exciting part of any taproom is finding out what’s currently available. Engkanto also rotates in limited releases and collaborations, including brews that use local ingredients.
That means your first visit doesn’t have to look exactly like your next one. There may be a new stout, a seasonal release, or something with a flavor combination that sounds slightly risky but ends up being the table favorite. Craft beer rewards the curious, and this is the kind of place where it makes sense to ask what’s new before ordering.
4. Order a beer cocktail when you want a change
Beer cocktails can sound like a strange idea until you remember that beer already has a lot of flavor to play with. At Taps Bridgetowne, the signature cocktails use Engkanto beers as part of the drink, which gives the bar menu something a little different from the usual highballs and espresso martinis.
The Sampa-Loca Highball mixes Green Lava Double IPA with agave syrup for a zesty drink, while Nutty & Nice-presso uses Nutty & Nice Choco-Nut Stout for a creamier take on an espresso martini. They’re good options for anyone who wants to try Engkanto but isn’t necessarily in the mood for a full pint.
5. Make it a proper hangout, not just a quick drink
A good taproom needs food, because nobody wants to drink on an empty stomach and pretend that chips are enough. Taps Bridgetowne has bar chow and dishes made for pairing with beer, so it works whether you’re dropping by for one round or settling in with friends.
Happy Hour runs from Monday to Thursday, 3PM to 6PM, which makes the place especially tempting for early drinks after work. The branch is open daily from 3PM to 2AM, so it can also work for late catch-ups, casual dates, or those “one drink” nights that somehow become three.
Engkanto Taps Bridgetowne is located on the Ground Floor of GBF Center 1, Bridgetowne, C-5 Road, and updates are available on Instagram.