Step into MGallery Admiral Hotel Manila’s lobby and spot a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. One particular section swings open – no password, just curiosity – revealing a dark corner where Ruby Wong beckons her guests to an elevator or staircase.

A good speakeasy provokes a mild sense of rule-breaking, and Ruby Wong’s Godown nails it from the start.

We chose the staircase lit by an eclectic mix of paper lanterns overhead and faux cobblestones below. A cast-iron “manhole” cover stamped “Ruby Wong’s Godown Noodle Alley & Bar Spectacular” hints that you’re about to leave Manila and emerge into old-school Kowloon.

Upon your descent you’re greeted by an unassuming noodle shop; strewn across the room are Ming-style tall chairs, antique vases, and red-luck ornaments as the kitchen peers beyond a glass window panel. A faint smell of broth drifts in the air, but it doesn’t linger.

As you continue further, you’ll find yourself in the bar, which lures you deeper into its dim corners and plush seats, each area made to feel like the best in house.

Soft music offers just enough volume to set the vibe and mask conversations, but still low enough to allow intimate gossip and group discussions. You’ll find low seats that can fit small groups with tables at the sides for larger gatherings, while more discreet pockets in the corners of the bar offer privacy for four to six-tops.

MGallery’s World Cocktail Months

World Cocktail Months (yes, plural) is MGallery Hotel Collection’s annual tribute to mixology innovation.

This year, the brand tapped French lifestyle house Maison Sarah Lavoine to design an exclusive line of glassware and Citadelle Gin for a limited-edition line of cocktails. These cocktails are available at MGallery Hotels until Aug. 31, 2025, including Ruby Wong's.

At Ruby Wong’s, each limited-edition cocktail comes with a “Bites Pairing” designed to either echo or contradict them, costing P700 (alcoholic) or P500 (non-alcoholic).

Timeless Negroni x Manchego Pommes Fondant

We first reached for a classic, Timeless Negroni, and we were impressed by Ruby's layered reinterpretation of the cocktail bar mainstay. While Citadelle Gin’s juniper-forward profile sets the foundation, the pineapple-infused Campari introduces a tropical bitterness that is a welcome surprise but doesn’t overwhelm. The vermouth adds depth without flattening the citrus lift. Overall, it’s a well-balanced drink that will not disappoint Negroni lovers. But those who are not used to its bitter, herbal notes may find this an acquired taste.

As for its bite pairing, think of another bar classic: fries. But consider the Manchego Pommes Fondant as a mature, sophisticated take. Instead of plain, deep-fried potatoes, these are seared, braised, and baked – resulting in a crisp crust with a soft, fluffy interior. Flavor-wise, the decadent fattiness from the potatoes was offset by the sharp, salty, and buttery Manchego shavings on top. When consumed alongside the Negroni, the Pommes Fondant absorbed the bitter edges of the cocktail, succeeding in providing an interesting contrast. The fattiness tempered the bite of Negroni, while amplifying its complex profile at the same time.

For those seeking an elevated take on classics, this pairing will not let you down. It’s familiar but still holds a hint of mystery and surprise, much like the atmosphere of Ruby Wong’s.

Evergreen x Yuzu Wasabi Chicken

The most refreshing of the lot, Evergreen uses Kaffir lime-infused premium Flor de Caña rum and green mango cordial to mimic acidity without over-relying on citrus to capture attention. With the Giffard elderflower lending subtle floral notes of rose and a hint of lychee, the drink seamlessly integrates all elements – no burn, just a steady hum. It’s a great starter cocktail, especially if you want to effectively clear the lasting flavors of your last meal, to be replaced with an herbal, floral mix. These notes flirt with your senses, from the nose to the palate, catching on your tongue just long enough to leave you longing for another sip.

Lightly battered and perfectly crisp, the Yuzu Wasabi Chicken calls back to the cocktail’s citrus flavor but packs a light punch to balance the scales. The yuzu’s floral and sweet brightness mirrors the lime and herby flavor of the cocktail, while the wasabi mayo adds a little jolt, enough to cut the oiliness but still restrained. Fortunately, fried chicken is a forgiving vehicle for such bright flavors, so it still ends up as a safe and comforting but in no way ordinary choice on the menu.

This pairing is built on alignment: citrus to citrus, crisp to crisp.

Honey 75 x Salad de Crevettes

Texturally, Honey 75 is one of the most sophisticated cocktails in the lineup. Thanks to the olive oil fat-washing of the Citadelle gin, the mouthfeel is rounded and plush, coating the palate without being greasy. The faintly briny taste and honey syrup combine to form a sweet-tart flavor profile, while the Pommery champagne turned the cocktail into an effervescent dessert. Make no mistake, however, beneath the sweet sparkle of this drink lurks a strength that will have you crawling out of Ruby Wong’s if not taken seriously. But this one is a guaranteed crowd favorite as the creaminess persists throughout the tasting experience, making it an easy drink to consume and love.

The Salad de Crevettes acts as a saline counterpoint: prawns lightly dressed in citrus and garnished with a generous dollop of caviar. The subtle but ocean brininess of this dish balanced the sweet, creamy cocktail as they both competed for undivided attention. The fat-washed gin lingers, then the sea-forward taste of the Salad de Crevettes coats the tongue in succession, especially as the caviar pearls unravel. That is, until you take another sip of the Honey 75 – and the battle goes on.

This pairing revels in opposition, for those who favor a contrasting pairing rather than one that echoes.

Crystal Diva x Smoked Salmon Croquettes

One of the bolder cocktails in the mix, Crystal Diva is, quite simply, a diva that takes no prisoners. The Tio Pepe Fino Sherry and Citadelle Gin combine in a frenzied alcoholic storm that almost dares you if you can consume more. It's accented by jasmine-lemongrass cordial that adds floral notes minus the sweetness, but these are rendered barely noticeable as they go up against the formidable flavors of the two alcohols. This bone-dry cocktail is a wine-lover’s cocktail – high in acidity and packs a punch with a phenolic finish that lingers on the upper palate. In other words: it’s intense. Order it if you like your cocktails loud, proud, and unconcerned with subtlety.

Crystal Diva's pairing, the Smoked Salmon Croquettes, are crunchy on the outside, velvety on the inside, with a mild smokiness that doesn’t dominate. The fattiness counteracts the sherry’s dryness, providing mouth-coating relief between sips. It’s a classic fat-cutting-dryness match, but it’s not quite harmonious as the cocktail overshadows the dish a bit. Still, this dish cushions the blows from the Crystal Diva, ensuring you can walk away from Ruby Wong’s with your wits about you.

Smoke & Mirrors x Tako-Yaki

This showstopping cocktail is a complex mix that had us sitting back and nodding contentedly.

Smoke & Mirrors boasts a mix of Talisker 10 and Jameson whiskey, sweetened and aromatized with clarified lemon, Dionysus vanilla, and lavender bitters, then smoked under an edible jelly film. Peaty, sweet, floral, and citric – each note is sequenced deliberately and arrives in layers. The body is medium-heavy, and the finish is long and warming. It’s like crashing a vintage Jaguar into a lemon orchard before coming to a halt in a lavender field, a hint of smoke emerging from your car as you walk away – the progression of citrus, smoke, and florals lingering on your palate.

The Tako-Yaki, which is actually grilled octopus and leeks yakitori, is charred just enough to carry a Maillard depth while it pairs well with the sweet grilled leeks. Simple and straightforward, the dish leaves little to the imagination. Compared to the complex drink, the Tako-Yaki felt a little anticlimactic. Still, the simplicity has its place, resetting the palate after each sip.

Final Thoughts

Ruby Wong’s Godown is no ordinary bar. Entering the speakeasy and settling into its mysterious, alluring atmosphere is already an experience on its own.

Each cocktail tells a story and every pairing has its audience, whether you’re a classics lover reaching for the Timeless Negroni, a low-key drinker who appreciates the refreshing Evergreen, someone who wants a cocktail with a complex story like the Smoke & Mirrors, a sweet-seeker falling in love with the Honey 75, or a diva who finds yourself magnetically drawn to the Crystal Diva.

MGallery's World Cocktail Months end on Aug. 31, 2025, but this experience is definitely just a start. Ruby Wong, after all, still holds plenty of secrets up her sleeve, and you’re sure to discover them with every visit.

For reservations, book here or call them at 09178298434. Learn more about Ruby Wong's Godown by checking out their website and following them on Facebook and Instagram.

Location: Ruby Wong's Godown, Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery Collection, 2138 Roxas Boulevard, Malate, City of Manila 1004

Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, from 5 PM to 1 AM