Howzat Sports Bar

I've always wanted to go to London just to get a taste of the British pub experience. After reading one too many Georgia Nicolson books, I've been obsessing over how eggs and soldiers, authentic fish and chips, and bangers and mash would taste like. Luckily, Jake's friend Mike brought us to Howzat Sports Bar and it was probably the closest thing to an authentic British pub you can get here in Manila.

It's right along an unassuming side road in Kalayaan Avenue near Rockwell and you can park on the street. From the outside, it looks like your average Kalayaan bar.

 

Upon heading in, we were assaulted by the noise of screaming British men and clouds of cigarette smoke. Being a sports bar, everyone was drinking beers and smoking cigarettes which makes it an instant hot box despite the air conditioning. And because it's a British-owned pub, all the men were staring intently on the LCD screens practically covering all walls of the place. There was a Manchester United VS Liverpool footie game going on. It's quite refreshing seeing men excited over soccer instead of basketball, for a change.

Soccer paraphernalia everywhere! It seems British expats have formed their own soccer league and meet here to eat British comfort food prepared by Chef Walt, who I assume is British and owns the place.

We ordered the roast beef sandwich with your choice of fries or mashed potatoes and sweet peas. It was HUGE. I didn't get to finish mine. The beef to bread ratio was more than the average and there were probably three layers of tender, tasty roast beef to fill you up. It's perfect with a glass of draft beer, based on what these two boys ordered.

I took mini-breaks while eating my sandwich to check out what the men were yelling about. They're fiercely supportive of their soccer teams. My knowledge of soccer only extends to David Beckham and his underwear, so... I just stared blankly all night.

The comprehensive menu! They also have Filipino and Indian dishes. I want to order Grimsby fish and chips next. And maybe sit outside so I won't reek of cigarettes.

After dinner, we headed to The Reserve along Ortigas Home Depot to meet up with the rest of the boys 'cause it's Mike's birthday treat. Happy, funny times :-)

Caipirinha and Bloody Mary cocktails over beer!