Reggae Nights at Balay Tubay Bistro asta Galeri – El Nido, Palawan

Music, Food and Travel come together. If you can associate Boracay with pop and trance songs, I can say that Reggae music puts everyone ‘in the mood’ to go out and mingle. The party scene in El Nido is not as wild as compared to Boracay. Here in El Nido, people just go in a bar, sit down, drink, talk and enjoy good music.

I spent my last two nights in El Nido at a place called ‘Balay Tubay‘. I’ve read about it before in other websites, but I didn’t want to go there alone.

I first met Tobias and Chris (from Germany) when I took the El Nido Tour A package. I saw them again two days after when I was in The Art Cafe waiting for my dinner. They invited me to come with them to Sea Slugs. Apparently, they were able to meet more German travelers while doing Tour B. The funny thing there is almost all of them are from the Southern part of Germany. Is this a grand German meet-up in El Nido? Hehe. It simply means that El Nido truly captured a big market for foreign travelers. El Nido, Palawan wouldn’t be voted as the #1 Best Beach Destination in Philippines for nothing.

We went straight to Sea Slugs to meet up with new friends. I spotted three chinese travelers, one Irish lady and four Filipinos. We were exchanging stories about our travels. I think half of the group are part of the workforce and the others are long-term travelers. Some were telling us how last year they had booked last minute all inclusive holidays to other beach locations. They went to the Maldives and said it was very beautiful but that the beauty of El Nido, Palawan truly stands out. They found the all-inclusive style a relaxing way to holiday but also loved the freedom of backpacking styled travel. I love the variety. Once they were done in settling the bill, the group went to Balay Tubay.

Like what I mentioned earlier, I’ve heard of Balay Tubay. I am just happy that I saw Tobias and Chris again. Reggae music, finally! Time to experience a fun night life – El Nido, Palawan style!

“This place is different, but I like it” – I told myself upon entering Balay Tubay. A young waiter made us feel welcome and he is smiling all the time. As usual, the music of The Beatles, U2 and Bob Marley  are the most requested songs for the night.

When we arrived, the band performing is playing acoustic songs. Later that night, the Reggae fever dominated the place and almost everyone’s dancing.

There is a simple art gallery at the other side of the place.

Sorry for the crappy pics lol. Better visit the place on your own and share the good shots 😛

We’re impressed with the bands who performed so we went back the next night – our last 😐 This time, I tried the El Nido Pizza. Forgive me, but I forgot the name of the band who performed the best reggae set. It also reminded me that we have good Pinoy Reggae music like the hits of Tropical Depression, Blakdyak, Brownman Revival and Jeck Pilpil & Peacepipe. This particular OPM Reggae song got stuck in my head:

Of course, my favorite Reggae hits like Baby, I Love Your Way by Big Mountain (my wedding song – chos!), Sweat (Ah la la long) by Inner Circle and the Bob Marley favorites Is This Love, No Woman No Cry and I Shot the Sheriff where played on both nights. Their band’s rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody made the audience really screaming for more. Another plus is their fun performance of classic Filipino hits of The Hotdogs and VST & Co. that even foreigners were dancing to it. Nakakatuwa! 😀

Since my last two nights where spent enjoying reggae music, I really had a month-long El Nido trip hangover. When I get the chance to return in El Nido, I will surely go back in this place to enjoy good music. It also helped that I have the best companions.

^ Just noticed RR Enriquez and Mercedes Cabral in the video hehe

Have you been to Balay Tubay in El Nido? Can you suggest any other places within Metro Manila or any part of the Philippines that plays mostly live reggae music?