Tipples and Turbulence: This Bar Housed in a Passenger Plane Hits Both With One Stone

Mosphil by RRR
Palacio de Memoria, 95 Roxas Boulevard, Tambo, Parañaque City
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mosphilbyrrr
Open from 6 to 11 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday

(SPOT.ph) Manila’s bar scene is finally picking up the pace once more. There’s no better time to frolic around the city and discover new spots in which to flag down bartenders and toast to topnotch tipples, what with the return of the industry giving way to more out-of-the-box ideas. See: a bar inside of a plane.  

Pre-war mansion Palacio de Memoria along Roxas Boulevard, said to be home to Manila’s only auction house of fine European antiquities and an ecclesiastical museum, houses a delicious destination for your next night of debauchery right within its expansive and slightly secluded property.

Also read: Manila's New Art Destination Is a Restored Pre-War Mansion

Within a passenger plane in Palacio de Memoria you'll find a cocktail bar that'll take you back in time:

Mosphil by RRR is a cocktail bar developed by Poblacion veteran Mike Hearn of Run Rabbit Run in collaboration with Palacio de Memoria’s Camila Lhuillier-Albani. The bar sits inside a decommissioned Antonov 24-B Russian aircraft that once flew under the now-defunct airline Mosphil Aero, which had routes from the southern Philippines to Malaysia.

“Mosphil is all about old soul fun—it’s got a retro vibe to it,” says Hearn. “When you step onboard, you really get the sense of being back in an airplane or airport lounge, and it’s the type of place that lets you step back in time and forget where you are.”

Inside, you’ll find the plane adorned with a laid-back, cozy 1960s and 1970s aesthetic—antique carpets, comfy leather sofas, theater lounge seats, mid-century vintage trinkets, and statement light fixtures. The experience captures the vibrance and style of an era gone by—where in-flight cocktails were savored thousands of miles up.

“What would it be like to go back in time and fly in the '60s and '70s, where passengers could drink, converse, and walk around? That’s exactly the feeling we want people to feel when they step into the plane,” Hearn describes.

Mosphil is committed to the theme: bookings are confirmed with boarding passes, bartenders wear waistcoats and bow ties, and diners are encouraged to join in on the theatrics as well—the cockpit is open for those who’d like to play pilot for a hot second. It’s all shiny, fun, and exactly the type of space you can lose hours in.

With Run Rabbit Run at the helm of the bar program, expect nothing less than timeless crafted cocktails of the highest quality. The Classics menu (P450/cocktail) has a list filled with every kind of classic cocktail in the book—Martini variations, a perfectly executed Old-Fashioned, and a punchy Whiskey Sour, among others. For nights when you want to enjoy the simple luxury of an excellent cocktail, this is the place.

Mosphil isn’t just about the classics; the bar also pays homage to the aircraft it sits in with its Signatures menu (P450/cocktail), inspired by places, people, and the art of flying. The Manila International is a playful concoction of passion tea infused gin, pineapple juice, lemon juice, coconut syrup, and egg white. The torched cinnamon stick has an aroma reminiscent of toasted coconut—a great sensory complement to the fruity, tropical flavors of the cocktail. Dessert lovers ought to try the Destination Paradise, which combines Havana rum, lemon juice, pineapple syrup, banana liquor, rose petals, and a dash of aromatic bitters for sweet and floral notes in your drink. The more you get into it, the more it tastes like pineapple rum cake.

Mosphil’s Special menu (P450/cocktail) is a monthly seasonal selection inspired by popular travel destinations, featuring cocktails these locations made famous. When the bar first opened, the theme was Italy. Currently, the menu welcomes guests to France. There are Henny-based libations made with vanilla liqueurs and star anise reductions like the Vieux Carré and Bonafide Bonaparte, and there are refreshing options for those who like lighter notes. The French 75 is rich, sweet, and indulgent, combining Grey Goose vodka, amaretto, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and a touch of soda water. Gold flakes adorn the exterior of the flute to give it a bit more oomph.

The food is currently overseen by Chef Margarita Fores’ The Loggia, a neighboring Italian-Filipino restaurant housed in the property’s lanai. Antipasti, dips for sharing, and pizza is available for quick bites as you sip away.

For Hearn, Mosphil stemmed from a love for going out and knowing you can return to a place for its great drinks. “We try to build a sense of familiarity, despite the space being novel and quirky. We want our customers to know that when they come to Mosphil, they know exactly what they’re going to get: authenticity, great cocktails, and excellent service.”

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