Last Christmas, one of my male high school friends asked if our circle of friends was going to have a Christmas party. Come to think of it, a guy actually initiated the party, haha!
After some discussion, we decided to host it at Rue Bourbon in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, just a few streets away from Tablo. My friend saw a package at Rue that included a consumable amount and a videoke setup.
Location and Ambiance
You notice Rue Bourbon’s aesthetic the moment you arrive. Its bright red building stands out near Il Terrazzo, making it impossible to miss. Once you step inside, the vibe shifts completely.
The dim, moody lighting screams ‘New Orleans.’ If you’re a fan of The Originals, you’ll feel right at home. The old-school, grungy atmosphere feels so mysterious that you half-expect a vampire to walk around the corner. It offers the perfect ‘edgy’ party vibe for anyone tired of typical, brightly lit restaurants.
The Package
We booked the PHP 15,000 consumable package, which covers five hours of room use. While the room fits up to 12 people, only seven of us made it—the classic ‘adulting’ struggle! This package includes food, drinks, and a private videoke setup.
To secure the slot, one of my friends visited the venue, sign a contract, and pay a 30% deposit. Keep in mind that their policy forbids refunds if you cancel on the day of the event. If you bring a car, expect to park on the side street if their main slots fill up.
Videoke
The sound system honestly disappointed us. Despite our week-old reservation, the staff failed to prep the equipment. The videoke in our first room didn’t work at all, forcing us to move. In the second room, the audio functioned, but the microphone has grounded sounds and unusual maximum volume.
We eventually took matters into our own hands and tinkered with the wires ourselves. Finally, a tech-savvy staff member arrived to fix the issue, but the delay ate into our party time.
Room
We enjoyed a massive amount of space since only seven of us occupied a room designed for twelve. The room offered plenty of breathing room, and the air conditioning blasted freezing air—exactly how we like it. While the TV looked a bit small for such a large space, it displayed the lyrics clearly enough for us to sing along.
Food and Drinks
I can always count on Rue Bourbon for top-tier food and drinks. We hit the PHP 15,000 minimum because every dish on the menu tastes delicious.
Since the staff served the food slowly—thanks to the December Saturday rush—they extended our stay by an hour to compensate. I personally think the five-hour timer should only start once the waiter serves the first dish!
My high school friend who arranged almost everything came to this list of the food and drinks we will order.
Since we still had some consumable balance, we were looking for dessert or sweets on their menu, but we didn’t find any haha! I was craving a chocolate cake like the decadent ones from Nono’s.
Verdict
Despite the rocky start with the sound system, we had a blast. Rue Bourbon provides a solid choice for barkada reunions if you want privacy, great food, and a cool atmosphere. Their waiters are all friendly and game for cracking jokes with us, too!
