Bar and community space in San Juan serves ‘Tinola’ cocktail

MANILA, Philippines — For 34-year-old Jenell San Antonio, opening her very own community space and bar Sa'min (belongingness) is a dream come true.

"During my younger years, I went to a lot of bars like in BGC (Bonifacio Global City), Poblacion and here in San Juan,” San Antonio told Philstar.com.

San Antonio, a proud LGBTQIA+ member and women's advocate, opened Sa'min in July 2024, driven by the belief that a queer woman can thrive in the male-dominated bar industry. Most of her collaborators, from the staff and interior designer to the mixologist, are women or members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Tucked in the growing food scene along Wilson Street in San Juan, Sa'min offers "approachable yet elevated" cocktails that highlight Filipino culture and pride.

Philstar.com had the privilege of trying Sa'min’s “Mythical Five" cocktails, which patrons have been raving about since the bar opened a year ago.

Tinola ni Leticia is the bar's original signature cocktail that tastes like the Filipino dish, Tinola, with the accent of lemongrass.

Tama Rin, a play on its base flavor tamarind, is one of their certified bestsellers. This writer gobbled it like juice.

Skrambol is the most aesthetic of their drinks that is inspired by the Filipino iced refreshment, skrambol. It is a sweet, perfect starter cocktail.

X.O. has a flavor similar to rum and coke, but with a twist — a coffee-flavored jelly on a stick inspired by a local coffee candy. It’s smooth, and the jelly adds a unique and memorable touch.

S.U.H.A. is another bestseller with its distinct pomelo flavor. It is a truly refreshing fruity cocktail.

Apart from these interesting mixes, the bar also offers classic drinks like Amaretto Sour, Whiskey Sour, Negroni and Margarita, to name a few.

Patrons can cross order food from its neighbouring restaurants, notably Flossom, Tripods and Oista.

Aside from being one of the popular bars in the San Juan Area, Sa'min prides itself for being a community space.

"We have done some workshops like for journaling and flower arrangement, and we’ve also partnered with an offline hangout organizer. We’ve also hosted private functions like birthdays, bachelorettes, and despedidas. We want Sa’min to he a venue where people hang out and is open to all," Jenelle shared.

When asked about her future plans, Jenell said she wants Sa'min to continue growing its clientele and become a well-known community space and bar in San Juan.

Sa'min is open from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight on Tuesdays to Thursdays, and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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