Coffee, Music, and Ukelele: Uke Box Caffé Now Open in QC

A new coffee concept along C5 road combines drink, food, and music for the caffeine lovers seeking to kick back with good tunes and company.

Uke Box Caffé opened last May and since then, has been pleasing its earliest patrons with coffee, live music, open mic nights, and yes—lots of ukelele (or 'ukulele' in Hawaiian), a string instrument similar to a guitar and typically made of wood.

The new coffee shop stands out among the many popping up all around the metro by providing ukelele lessons and a recording booth; live music is also a highlight at Uke Box Caffé–they have regular open mic and jam sessions to pair with your soothing cup of coffee (or two). Displayed and being sold at the cafe are HUNI ukeleles, which are handcrafted by Cebuanos of UkeCebu, which showcase the refined creativity of local craftsmanship. At the cafe, they encourage you to play your instrument before you buy.

To spread even more ukelele love in Manila, they have offered a crash course in ukelele to show anyone can play this instrument, a kids' ukelele workshop, and a basic ukelele workshop where students could learn and bring their own ukelele, or buy their very first one at the coffee shop. They also offer private lessons and host master classes from their own lineup of ukulele artists.

For the thirsty ears, there's the ukelele love all around the store. For hungry bellies, their lineup of brews, blended drinks, pastries, pastas, and sandwiches. At their brew bar, have a cup of coffee that uses fresh beans from Sagada (P130), Mt. Atok (P130), Mt. Matutum (P130), and Mt. Kitanglad (P130). Cold Drip (P130) is also available, and can be ordered with Dark Chocolate (P160).

Hungrier appetites can try their popular Monte Cristo (P250) sandwich or another best-seller, the pasta Bolognese (P250).  For the dessert lovers, pair your coffee with the Uke’s Signature Cake (P185), Ferrero Cake (P210), or have Gelato (P120) that comes in flavors like Belgian Chocolate, Mascarpone Cheese, Stracciatella, and Sea Salt Caramel.

Visit Uke Box Caffé at Unit 12 187 Village Center, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Brgy. Bagumbayan QC (C5 Libis, southbound lane). The cafe is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 12mn, and Sundays from 12nn to 9pm. Call 374-7467, like on Facebook (/ukeboxcaffe), and follow on instagram (@ukeboxcaffe). Live and jam sessions of the cafe can be accessed on Soundcloud (soundcloud.com/uke-box-caffe)