Mansion Sports Bar and Lounge (now Monarch Manila) — Restaurant in Makati

Hoppin' spot to hang out with friends or colleagues after work. It's a small space that has a lot going on in it. Two pool tables, a DJ, two dart boards, a fairly impressive bar. Not a lot of room for seating or even standing, but they do their best. Cash, credit card and probably e-wallet payments accepted. It claims to be a sports bar but it really wants to be a club instead. The only sports-related aspect of the bar are the TVs surrounding the bar showing sports.

I came here to check out the pool tables. They're not very high quality. Kind of cool looking but not very good quality. I'm sure they get a ton of use if my brief time there was any indication, and I don't think a ton of money is spent on keeping them in prime condition. Not a spot for shooters but good for casual play among friends. Looks like the tables can be reserved by groups for a period of time.

Didn't try the food but the bar service was respectable. Because the space is so small overall, and because of the bank of large flat screen TVs above the bar showing sports games (hence the sports bar label) most of the area behind the bar is filled and stacked with various types of cocktail and beer glasses/mugs. Like, insanely so. I guess it works but I wonder how many they knock over when they're busy!

I tried their Paloma. Tasty though drier/more bitter than I would make it. I'd suggest keeping the flavor profile the same but rimming the glass with sugar or a sugar/salt (or sugar/chili pepper) blend rather than just straight table salt. The margarita was good. Cazadores tequila is featured in both and is fine for these kinds of drinks. The margarita had more of the familiar slightly sweet and lime taste, but they didn't use a mix for it, which I appreciated. On both drinks they rimmed half the glass with salt. Literally. Not just the lip of the glass, but down the side at least halfway, which I find both vaguely unsanitary as well as awkward. I don't feel like licking the side of the glass before each sip. Awkward.

Prices seem on par for Manila. Upscale...

Great interior but very poor customer service.

Staff needs more training in clearly communicating their services and rules to their customers, as well as learning how to handle customers without a condescending tone. Each of their staff we spoke with were telling us different rules and guidelines that misinformed us about their bar policy and game rules.

We initially asked if take out food was allowed in their bar, and one waiter told us yes. So we proceeded to walk 30 mins down the street to get our take out from another restaurant, and when we came back to their bar, upon entering, we were stopped and told that take out food was not allowed. I clarified to them that I would not have walked that far if they had not miscommunicated their rules with me, which is why I asked before going out. Girl staff mj walked up to us again and told us that after talking with the first waiter who had told us take out food was allowed (who didn’t bother to come out from their staff room while we were all talking about the miscommunication), to his understanding, we asked if they allow their own food to be taken out. I was insistent in implying that that is not the same question I asked him, as I asked if take out food was allowed in their bar, not if they allow their food to be taken out (which are two completely different questions), but mj forcefully insisted that I asked a different question, putting words into my mouth. They did not bother to apologize for the miscommunication on their end. They only apologized when I stated that there was a miscommunication, which shouldn’t be coming from the customer, but from their team.

All of this wouldn’t really have bothered us as much as it did, if the staff handled it well and with utmost respect and...

I've been here twice and have been very impressed. I live in Bonifacio Global City, and this place is like all my favorite neighborhood places under one roof. The "M Bar" is a sports bar like Skinny Mike's, the "M Dining" area is a restaurant/nightclub style area with tables and open space not unlike Dr. Wine or Bank Bar, and the "M Lounge" is a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge similar to the Back Room at Shangri-La.

They also have two private rooms: a karaoke room and a function room. Both private rooms allow smoking. They run air purifiers so it isn't so bad, but if you or your guests are particularly sensitive, I'd look elsewhere. There is no smoking or smoke odor anywhere else.

The beer is absolutely fantastic, with several varieties of Paulaner and Weihenstephaner ON TAP! That's hard to find anywhere outside Germany, let alone in the Philippines.

The food is gourmet. I loved the Deviled egg dip, and the wings are some of the best I've had anywhere. The bacon on the Mansion Burger was delicious!

Drinks aren't cheap, but they're less expensive than at similar places in BGC like Dr. Wine and Electric Garden. The food promos are great, like 50% off wings and some other items three nights a week!

The staff is very friendly, and they haven't seemed understaffed at any point. The cocktails are well crafted. TJ and Andre make great cocktails. Karen, Nica, and Ahnj are very hospitable.

The only real complaint I have is that it can get a little cramped around the billiards tables both playing and as a patron having to move out of the way.

Oh, and that it doesn't open until 5pm! I might hang out here all...