An Awesome Lifestyle Weekend at Swell Bar and Cafe Subic

I’ve spent almost two weeks studying for so many exams, and by Friday, I wanted to just escape Manila and anything that reminded me of calculus. When I was offered a weekend in Subic, I was a little hesitant because I didn’t want to spend three consecutive weekends on the road.  Yet with all that pressure, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend a weekend away from my handouts. And so off to Subic we went! Read more…

My companions for the trip were Francis, Jaypee, Franz, Len, and Justin, and our weekend started in the terminal of Victory Liner in Cubao. Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales is less than three hours away via SCTEx. From the bus stop inside SBMA, we walked towards the beach where Swell Bar and Cafe is strategically situated.

The modern, classy aesthetics of Swell Bar and Cafe really is surf shack-themed, with heavy hints of the beach bars in California. The daytime feel is breezy and easy going, while the nighttime feel is more chill out than rave.




We were served light snacks from their appetizers selection and some refreshments. I got a Coke Zero by default, but I got envious with the shakes and giant iced teas they ordered! 

We then settled into our room at the Boardwalk Inn. The good thing about Swell Bar and Cafe is that it has a “sister” hotel that makes it an overall lifestyle weekend destination. (By the way, Boardwalk Inn will be due for an awesome facelift soon, so you guys watch out for that.)

After resting a little, it was time for lunch. I will do a feature of their sumptuous menu choices on a separate post, but here’s a glimpse of what we had:


Filling lunch was done, and it was time to chill out. We hung out all afternoon, but we eventually gave in to the tempting call of the beach.
It was Saturday, and everyone was in the mood to drink but me because of my stupid allergies. That evening, we were presented with Swell Bar and Cafe’s wide selection of cocktails that my companions tried.
Thankfully, no one was awfully hung over the morning after, so we all tried Swell’s paddleboards. And I did learn how to stand on one and actually paddle it, thanks to the calm waters. By the way, the cool thing about Swell is that long as one’s a customer, use of a paddleboard is free!

After lunch and some duty free shopping on our second day, Len and Gianne Montelibano, the operations manager of Swell herself, gamely and sexily posed for a bikini pictorial by the beach! (Well, if you must know, Swell’s where the girls are at. Heck, I’ve seen them!)



We then freshened up, packed up and bade Subic farewell. It was an awesome weekend at Swell Bar and Cafe, and I can’t wait for a repeat! Cheers to Swell and to new friends!
SWELL BAR AND CAFE Bldg 664 Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales (Google Maps)Hours: breakfast until after midnightContact: +63 47 250 2221 or through Facebook
Special thanks are due to Gianne and Martin Montelibano of Swell Bar and Cafe for having us that weekend and to Francis Romero of Achievers' Circle. This post features the awesome photography of Franz Lopez. Do check out his portfolio here.