We found ourselves in the north on Oct. 8, stepping into the newly opened Quezon Club at Solaire Resort North. The night began, as all good nights should, at the bar. A few friends from the media were already there, laughter bouncing off the walls, whiskey glasses clinking, bartenders grinning as they poured us “just a small sample” of their signature cocktails. Somewhere between the Old Fashioned and the whiskey sour, I realized this wasn’t Makati or BGC. This was Quezon City, my own neighborhood, and for once, luxury and nightlife did not require a trip south.

The room glowed amber and gold, an Art Deco dream in motion. Velvet seats and brass accents framed a bar that pulsed softly with jazz. The vibe was refined yet easy, the kind of place where you could loosen your tie and still feel you belonged. The air carried the faint perfume of port wine and seared lamb, mixing with the hum of conversation.

Chef January Belardo’s menu felt like memory reimagined. A shrimp cocktail, bright and briny. Beef tartare that whispered rather than shouted. Then came the Quezon Club Salad, a tumble of Parma ham, duck confit, grapes, and apples over mesclun, glazed with a tang of yogurt. It was an unexpected harmony, delicate but grounded. Later, the lamb rump arrived, pink and tender, followed by a golden paella Valenciana fragrant with saffron and sofrito, meant for sharing but finished quietly among friends.

At the bar, head bartender Martin Protacio matched the kitchen’s rhythm with cocktails that told stories of the city. He spoke softly about blending local spirits and small-batch infusions, a craft mirrored in every pour. Each drink arrived with quiet confidence, never too sweet, always with a wink of surprise.

As the evening slipped into live music, Quezon Club changed again. The dining room turned into a small theater of light, one moment a low-lit jazz set, the next an experimental performance that seemed to draw the whole crowd in. It was immersive but never forced, like being part of a film you did not want to end.

To be sure, comparisons will be made. We had supper at Medusa Supperclub just last week, another newcomer in the south. While Medusa thrives in spectacle, Quezon Club stands on subtlety. It is more intimate, more grounded in its geography and soul, a northern take on refinement.

Here in Quezon City, elegance feels earned. The club does not pretend to be anywhere else. It belongs to the city’s new rhythm, its blend of grit and grace, its desire for something sophisticated yet familiar. And as we raised our last glass that night, surrounded by old friends and new faces, it felt clear: the north finally has a night of its own.

As the city gears up for Halloween next week, Solaire Resort North transforms its nightlife into a playground of mystery and revelry. At Skybar, the Black Swan Soirée invites guests to dress their darkest best for a rooftop costume party priced at P1,000 per head, inclusive of unlimited Bacardi-infused cocktails and exclusive bottle packages.

Over at Quezon Club, the festivities continue with themed performances and a highlight act by Daryl “MJ” Jackson, whose spot-on Michael Jackson impersonations promise a night of rhythm, nostalgia, and moonwalks under amber light.

Families can join the fun at Kids Club, which hosts a wizard-themed Halloween celebration filled with face painting, potion-making crafts, hat decorating sessions, and loot bags overflowing with candies and chocolates.