NEW: A Relaxed Speakeasy Hidden In A Heritage Home

Earlier this year, JC Cabel Moreno (known as ‘King’ to family and close friends) opened Cabel, a family restaurant celebrating Mindaoan cuisine in a heritage home just behind Malacañang Palace.

More recently, he opened the Thirsty King, a speakeasy that serves bespoke cocktails, signature bar chow, and wholehearted inclusivity. The speakeasy got its name from the owner himself — King — and how they want to cater to people who want “to relax and unwind their busy minds after a day’s work”. These people are, as King says, “thirsty for calmness”.

“It’s a go-to place if you feel like having a glass or two any time of the day. It’s a small cozy area, no loud music and a reserved atmosphere,” King shares. “It’s a good place to hang out after work where you can read a book with your favorite local drink.”

Acknowledging that their restaurant Cabel champions Mindanaoan cuisine and a lot of people from Southern Philippines abstain from alcohol due to their religious beliefs, King and his team made sure to keep their customers in mind.

“The South, like many regions, is a melting pot of cultures and is diverse and home to people of various religious backgrounds and beliefs,” King explains. “We are proud of our unique convergence rooted in our commitment to inclusivity and providing a diverse dining experience. While Cabel draws inspiration from the rich and diverse culinary traditions associated with the South, we also respect the fact that not all of our patrons may share the same dietary or lifestyle choices.”

To address these concerns, their team carefully made sure that the “restaurant and speakeasy bar are physically separated within the same building.”

“This allows us to maintain the integrity of the dining experience in the restaurant while providing a distinct area for those who wish to enjoy alcoholic beverages in the speakeasy,” he adds. “Our restaurant and speakeasy offer a diverse menu that highlights the culinary traditions of the South, including a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails that ensures that all patrons can enjoy our restaurant, regardless of their preferences.”

King adds that their staff is also well “trained to accommodate the preferences and lifestyle of all customers”.

“Our goal is to provide a unique and inclusive dining experience that celebrates rich culinary traditions while also offering a separate space for those who wish to enjoy alcoholic beverages in a speakeasy setting. Diversity and choice are essential, and we aim to accommodate the preferences of all our patrons with respect.”

At the Thirsty King, diners can enjoy signature drinks highlighting local flavors and homegrown products such as tuba (alcohol derived from coconut sap), gin, lambanog (a byproduct of tuba; sometimes used interchangeably with tuba in Luzon), and calamansi. 

Some drinks are even inspired by and named after members of their family, like the Miguelito (Bombay, GSM Blue, Tonic water, and fresh calamansi extract), inspired by his brother Miguel Cabel Moreno (owner of Palm Grill) who loves calamansi and a good drink after a long day; the Chester (tuba, orange juice, and grenadine), which is a tribute to the eldest of the second generation of Cabel family); and the light and refreshing Maria-Rita (lambanog with triple sec, lime juice, and a slice of lime), which was named after two ladies from the Cabel clan: Maria Isabel, King's youngest sibling, and his cousin Margarita.

As good as their signature cocktails are their bar chow — complementing the goodness of local flavors and putting the ‘happy’ in happy hour. The Chicken Skin is coated in beer batter, giving it a light yet crunchy exterior and it comes with house-made vinegar. The Sambal Squid, a family favorite that’s also served at Palm Grill, is sautéed in margarine and garlic before being tossed in their house-made sambal for a hot and savory kick. And for those who want to get the best of local Filipino culture, Thirsty King’s Street Food Platter is the perfect sharing pulutan (bar chow) with fish balls, kikiam, squid balls, and kwek-kwek with a special homemade sawsawan (dipping sauce).

King says, “Our well-trained staff ensures top-notch hospitality, making it an exceptional destination for an unforgettable evening out. Thirsty King's ambiance strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and an inviting atmosphere, creating an ideal gathering place for meetings, catching up, or simply creating more cherished memories.”

“Thirsty King offers a genuinely unique experience [because] our speakeasy perfectly complements our South-inspired cuisine, featuring classic and beloved Filipino pulutan thoughtfully curated to pair with expertly crafted cocktails, resulting in a delightful culinary fusion.”

Thirsty King is located inside Cabel Restaurant at 1153 J.P. Laurel Street corner Aguado Street, San Miguel, Manila. It is open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, contact (02) 8550-1781. Instagram: @bycabel.ph.

Photography by Justin de Jesus