Mystropical Cocktails Bar

Lalao Bridge 5F8P+35P Siquijor Circumferential Road

Mystropical Cocktails Bar — the blue tables by Lala-o Bridge — is a total immersion in life in the Philippines: an ephemeral street bar open every day from 4.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. The bar is run by Stéphanie, born and raised in Siquijor and renowned for her kindness and the quality of her cocktails, with Joan looking after the tables. You will have the joy of tasting local and international spirits while watching the sunset. A show not to be missed...

The island's highest score, by a wide margin

5.0 out of 5 from around a thousand Google reviews. No other bar on Siquijor comes close: San Juan's big names sit between 4.0 and 4.6. A 5.0 held across that volume of reviews is not a beginner's fluke, it is consistency.

What to drink

The cocktails are the subject of nearly every review, always with the same remark: they are not watered down — "not watered down but perfectly balanced," as one guest puts it. The mojito is the most ordered, and Mystropical's own menu marks it — along with the Mango Mojito, the Mango Daiquiri, the Whisky Sour and the Amaretto Sour — as a best-seller. The Island Potion is the house creation reviews name by name, and it carries the same best-seller star on the menu.

What it costs. Every cocktail is ₱200 with the house spirit — Tanduay, El Hombre, White Castle, Walsh, Cossack or London Gin — except the Cuba Libre, at ₱125. Ask for an imported bottle and the price moves with it: ₱245 for Bacardi in the Classic Mojito, ₱255 for Bacardi in the Mango Mojito or Mango Daiquiri, ₱265 for Cachaça in the Caipirinha, ₱195 for Bacardi in the Cuba Libre, ₱285 for Jose Cuervo, Jack Daniel's or Absolut (Tequila Sunrise, Margarita, Whisky Sour, Sex on the Bridge), and ₱275 for Disaronno, Absolut or Bombay (Amaretto Sour, Mystical Blue, Calamansi & Basil Smash). The seven signature Potions are all ₱200: Island, Love, Mystropical, French, Asian (gin, Thai basil), Secret and Spicy — the last two come with chilli. Without alcohol: mocktails at ₱155 and ₱175, mango or banana shakes at ₱195. Straight shots run from ₱95 (Cossack vodka or White Castle whisky) up to ₱225 (Don Papa rum, Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, Jack Daniel's or Absolut). Not on the printed list: describe what you feel like to Stéphanie in a single sentence and she'll build you a custom cocktail on the spot, fresh, fruity or a little stronger.

What to eat

Three plates, all made to order. Fresh sea urchin: six pieces opened in front of you, on crushed ice, with fresh calamansi (₱300) — this is the speciality, marked as a best-seller on the menu, and almost nowhere else on the island serves it. Crispy lumpia: eight hand-rolled spring rolls with Thai sweet chilli and garlic vinegar (₱300). Tropical fruit platter: mango, watermelon and orange, cut to order (₱400).

Two sets: Duo at ₱650 (one plate and two local cocktails) and Table at ₱1,250 (two plates and four local cocktails). The fruit platter adds ₱100 in either case.

Where and when

At Lala-o Bridge — which Google now labels Sunset Bridge — on the circumferential road in San Juan. These are the blue tables: you cannot miss them. Open every day from 4.30pm to 12.30am. Phone: +63 960 274 0066. GCash and cash accepted; the ice and the drinking water are both made from purified water.

The 4.30pm opening is not incidental: it is set by the sun going down. Arrive around 5pm to get a table facing the sea before sunset, and allow about an hour if that is all you are here for.

What it is, and what it is not

A street bar, not a resort lounge. No air conditioning, no entrance fee, and things to pick at rather than a restaurant menu. The bar is run by Stéphanie, born and raised on Siquijor, whom reviews name personally with unusual consistency, and her team will happily steer you by what you like. This is an immersion in Filipino evening life, at the roadside, with locals at the next tables.

If you want sport on screens and a pool table, go to Get Wrecked instead. If you want live music every night and a full menu, Baha Bar.