Back in the 2010s, there weren’t many spaces dedicated to making the LGBTQIA+ community feel safe and free. But in 2016, a new spot emerged in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City, not only inviting everyone to dance and be merry but also to unite with the community. Nectar Nightclub arrived during a time when Manila’s gay clubbing scene was in a dry spell, far from the heydays of queer clubs in Malate.
“The gay community didn’t have a club,” David, one of the owners, tells Style Weekend. “What was around were drag theaters or comedy bars. They’re more of a place to watch a show. We really wanted to bring back the gay clubbing experience.”
The launch of Nectar Nightclub in 2016 was a proud moment for the LGBTQIA+ community, as it became one of the pioneering queer establishments in a major city at the time. Since day one, the Pride rainbow flag has adorned its facade, proclaiming the venue as a safe space and marking the end of the community’s existence in secrecy.
According to David, only a few elements are needed to create clubbing magic—music, interiors, and location, among others. While Nectar Nightclub had all that, what truly set it apart was its inclusive nature. Its arrival also coincided with the rise of dating apps in the mid-2010s, making the club a perfect spot to meet new people—not just queer folks but also allies of the community. This created a unique weekend experience for anyone who stepped through its doors.
“Nectar came at a time when people were going out again. There was a physical place once more to make new friends and meet potential dates,” David says. “Our target market was our people. We weren’t trying to go mainstream. We were trying to find our own community, which we did.”
Drag artists’ playground
Believe it or not, during its initial months, Nectar Nightclub didn’t feature drag artists. It wasn’t until they hosted American drag queen Alaska that they decided to incorporate drag performances into their nightlife. Alaska had just won RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 2.
“We booked her thinking she would do a full one-and-a-half-hour show. It turns out, she just does two numbers,” David recalls. “So, to build a complete show, we got Jon Santos to host and hired local drag queens that we knew from the community. We put together a show really quickly.”
And it was a huge hit. From that point on, Nectar Nightclub began cultivating its own drag community, turning its stage into a platform for budding Filipino drag artists. This also marked the inception of the Nectarines—the club’s pool of drag artists it nurtured and supported.
One of Nectar’s major contributions to the local drag scene is the Drag Cartel, a drag competition held during its Poison Wednesday Nights. For many Filipino drag artists, the competition was instrumental in elevating Filipino drag to new heights, before shows like Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den entered the scene.
“That’s where we discovered Marina Summers, Minty Fresh, and Odasha,” David muses. “These were all baby queens who did drag for the first time at Nectar.”
One for the road
Last November, Nectar Nightclub announced that it will close its doors by the end of 2024 due to the planned closure of The Fort commercial complex. But the party isn’t over yet. For its remaining days, the club has lined up a series of events. Among the highlights are its Last Dance on Dec. 30 and its New Year’s Eve 2025 party on Dec. 31.
Apart from witnessing stellar drag performances and dancing the night away, one of the best ways to get the full Nectar experience is by trying its cocktails. Its signature mix, the Blue Frog 2.0, is for the brave of heart, a legendary drink with origins in Malate’s Bed club. Another must-try is the Poisonous Nectar, a refreshing cocktail made with mango, coconut, and rum.
When asked about the legacy Nectar is leaving behind, David said they aren’t leaving anything behind because the club will be back soon.
“When we started, our goal was to be an LGBTQIA+ nightclub—a dynamic, full-service, fantastic, fabulous nightclub,” he says. “Now, as we prepare to close, we see ourselves as the epicenter of LGBTQIA+ culture in the nation. We’ve become a cultural institution within our community.”
“We are not just a nightclub,” he adds. “We’ve become part of the shared experience of the queer community in the city. We are not leaving a legacy because we are not leaving. We’ll be right back.”
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