Manila’s First Hip-Hop Only Club Just Opened

Hip-hop only

Some places just feel different when you walk in. The music hits better, the crowd looks cooler, and the energy is the perfect mix of chaos and control.

That’s exactly what went down at the grand opening of Bando, the first and only club in Manila dedicated entirely to hip-hop.

Bando is what happens when eight visionaries—Kobe Paras, Anton Yalung, Gian Hernandez, Nikko Alcalde, LJ Canavan, Benj Sadic, Robert LaGuardia, and Lawrence Rufino—decide to build the nightlife scene they’ve always wanted.

It’s Renaissance art meets hip-hop energy. Think gold-framed oil paintings, dim moody lighting, and bass that makes your heart skip a beat.

“Music is the heart and soul of Bando. Our top priority is music curation,” says Robert. And he means it.

Since their soft opening in February, Bando has been home to some of the best DJs in the game—Duaneinsane, Steelo, Platon, Tomas Felix, Butta B, and more. And with plans to bring in international names, the Manila hip-hop crowd is in for a ride.

Built from the ground up

For Kobe, this is personal. “As friends who frequently went out together, creating a venue that exclusively celebrates our favorite genre—hip-hop—has always been a dream,” he shares.

It took a year of planning and grinding to make this happen, and now, every Thursday to Saturday, Bando is the city’s go-to spot for rap, R&B, and everything in between.

And if opening night was any indication, they nailed it. The drinks were flowing, the beats were tight, and Manila’s finest pulled up in their best.

Speaking of which—let’s talk about who did it best in the fashion department.

Kobe Paras

Liam Labrooy

Vlad Trofimov

LJ Canavan

Anton Yalung

Robert LaGuardia

Whether you’re a hardcore hip-hop head or just looking for a vibe, Bando is where you need to be. And if you weren’t at opening night? Don’t worry. The doors are open every Thursday to Saturday from 10 PM onwards.

Pull up, dress like you mean it, and experience the future of Manila’s nightlife.

Photography MEETKESO

Special thanks Charis Madelaine