The Curator bar stepped into the international spotlight sometime in July 2023 by securing the No. 34 spot on the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Bar list. This significant achievement, celebrated at the Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong, also brought home the Best Bar in the Philippines award.

Co-founders David Ong and Bernice Tiu accepted this milestone, marking not only The Curator's success but also a significant moment for the Philippine bar industry, with The Curator being the sole Filipino bar on the top 50 list.

Meanwhile, The Back Room, a Prohibition-inspired speakeasy located at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, claimed the No. 74 spot on the 51 to 100 list. Overall, this marked a year of triumph as the Philippines regained recognition as a promising destination.

The 2023 Asia’s 50 Best Bar awarding ceremony served as a grand celebration of the region's bar community's resilience, marking its first full-scale gathering since 2019.

Amid this achievement following another challenging year, David wasted no time in continuing to promote the country's bar industry while relaying his journey and dedication to its ongoing evolution.

"We're always happy and excited about it," David responded when asked about winning the award. The Curator has been part of Asia’s 50 Best Bars list seven times since 2016. "But this time, it was different because The Curator has been open for 10 years now, and our spot on the list this year is well-deserved, in my opinion. Our team worked hard for it as the industry continues to evolve."

Pandemic and the bar industry

According to Statista, a German online platform specializing in market research and data analysis: “In 2020, the combined sales of cafes and bars in the Philippines reached $1.1 billion, reflecting a significant decline from the previous year. The decrease was attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in heightened social distancing measures, causing reluctance in visiting restaurants among Filipinos.”

Statista had reported a steady annual increase in sales since 2016, but the pandemic brought about a sharp decline. Bars, considered non-essential establishments, either closed or operated at reduced capacity during the restrictions. Even as restrictions eased, many consumers remained hesitant to go out, leading to permanent closures of some bars.

Toward the end of 2022, a robust trend known as "revenge spending" emerged, driven by the extended lockdown periods in the country. Collins Dictionary defines this term as "spending excessively after a period when one has had limited opportunities to spend."

Early this year, various industries, including cafes and bars, experienced a strong rebound, signaling a more optimistic outlook in achieving pre-pandemic numbers.

For David, the bar scene underwent significant transformation as well, reflecting shifts in people's evolving tastes, extending beyond food to include beverages. Consumers now embraced travel, fine dining, and the enjoyment of high-quality drinks, prompting the Philippine bar industry to elevate its offerings and continue evolving.

From coffee to cocktails

David pursued Interdisciplinary Studies at Ateneo De Manila University in 2006 and Psychology at The University of British Columbia in 2010. Laying the foundation for his journey, David's first exposure to the industry came in 2007 when he worked as a barista in Vancouver, Canada. However, it was a celebration in Shanghai, China three years later that introduced him to the world of cocktails.

Fast forward to 2013, David opened The Curator with a modest vision of delivering outstanding coffee and cocktails. Initially nestled inside Cyrano Wine Shop and Deli in Legazpi Village, Makati, the bar steadily gained a cult following. While it served coffee during the day, by night, it transformed into a cocktail haven, offering unique experiences to Filipinos.

Everything changed in 2015 when they participated in a festival in Singapore and later attended a gathering in New Orleans in the US. These experiences exposed them to the international bar community and ignited their desire to put the Philippines on the map.

"In 2016, we made it to Asia’s Best Bars list, and our goal shifted from merely making good coffee and cocktails for ourselves, friends, and family to putting the Philippines on the map," David explained. "Not to make it a cocktail destination but to show the world that something extraordinary is happening here."

By 2019, David's influence extended beyond The Curator, with his bar in Poblacion called Oto also earning a spot on the list. "Our entire philosophy shifted from putting the Philippines on the map to inviting people to come and explore the Philippines, and that's our goal now more than ever," he further emphasized.

Beyond The Curator and The Back Room, David hopes the world will discover other bars in the Philippines, including The Blind Pig, Southbank, Bar Flora, and many more.

He emphasizes that the Philippines possesses world-class talents, thanks to its exceptional hospitality culture. However, these talents often lack the platform to be seen as much as The Back Room, Oto, or The Curator.

Filipino hospitality and beyond

If there's one philosophy that defines the industry, it's hospitality.

As part of its brand ethos, The Curator focuses on enhancing the overall experience, evident even in their logo. "It's a coffee cup and a coupe glass. So, coffee and cocktails, right? You can also see the ampersand," David explained. "Our focus is the ampersand as the bar needs to add value to the experience. For us, that's the experience that we give and provide.”

Beyond the interiors, music, design elements, and even the cocktail menu, the bar industry is about people. David sees it not as mere competition but as a supportive community.

He elaborated: "One wonderful aspect of our bar industry is our willingness to support each other. Everyone is just a phone call away – literally. Whether you need them to join for guest shifts or if you're curious about a recipe, the support is there. While there's competition, it's mostly about sharing, brotherhood, and camaraderie."

Within The Curator, David maintains a tight-knit team of 20 people, including business partners, bartenders, and staff members. Some from the pioneer batch remain on board, with one even becoming a partner. Even as former members move on, their strong bond persists.

"We're fortunate to have a low turnover. But when people leave, we support them, understanding their quest for greener pastures," he said. "Our brand identity remains robust, and our culture endures. The people serving you contribute significantly to the experience, and while they change, we continue to evolve."

David himself has evolved over the past decade. "My skill set, knowledge, and ability to innovate have undergone significant improvement since day one. I've evolved not only as a person in this industry but also in my personal life. I believe every person who's been part of this journey feels the same way."

Starting with a passion for great coffee and cocktails, which has since evolved into a movement to shine a spotlight on the Philippine bar industry, David, together with The Curator and Oto, continues to push the industry forward, inspiring the next generation of Filipino tastemakers.