Coffee Drinking Experience @ Starbucks

"Where will we meet?"

"Starbucks."

That is a typical conversation between me and a friend planning to meet up.

Starbucks isn't only the place to grab your favorite coffee and beverages, but it is the perfect place to hang-out, meet your friends, do business, date --name it. In my case, it is one of the place where I can work. Some branches within Metro Manila are open 24 hours. You can basically stay in the store for as long as you want. Well, just make sure to order something as a courtesy if you intend to stay longer.

Starbucks Robinson Galleria - Veranda

Raffy busy texting @ Starbucks Robinson Galleria

Below are the Starbucks branches that are open 24 hours (within Manila):

Insular Life Building

G/F Insular Life Building, Ayala Ave. corner

Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

893-6714

M - Fri    - opens 6:00am - 24 HOURS

Sat        - until 7:00pm

Sun        - closed

People Support Center

G/F People Support Building, Ayala Avenue corner

Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue. Makati City

751-0041

M - Sat        - 24 HOURS

Sun            - 6:00am - 12:00mn

Easton Place - Valero             

G/F Easton Place, Herrera Corner Valero St.

Salcedo Village, Makati City

889 - 8291

M - Sat      - 24 HOURS

Sun           - up to 2:30am only

Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Blvd.

Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Blvd., Brgy.  

Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City

584 - 1905

M - Th      - 6:30am - 2:00am

F              - 6:30am – 24 HOURS

Sat         - closes at 1:00 pm

Sun          - closed

Emerald Building - Emerald Ave.         

G/F Emerald Building

Ortigas Center, Pasig City 

631-2936

M - Th      - 6:00am - 3:00am

F             - 6:00am - 24 HOURS

Sat          - closes at 1:00am

Sun         - closed

Ortigas Home Depot - Julia Vargas Ave.        

Ortigas Home Depo, Doña Julia Vargas

Cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Town Center, Pasig City

910 - 5283

M - Th      - 7:00am - 3:30am

F - Sat     - 7:30am - 24 HOURS

Sun         - 1:00am closed

Raffles Corp. Center - Emerald Ave.         

Raffles Center Bldg. Emerald Ave.,

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

584-3340

M - Th      - 6:00am - 3:00mn

F             - 6:00am – 24 HOURS

Sat         - 1:00am closed

Sun         - CLOSED

Net Quad 

Net Quad Building Fourth Ave & 30th St,

Bonifacio Global GF, Taguig City 

555 - 1317

M             - 6:00am - onwards

T - F         - 24 HOURS

Sat           - closes 5:00pm

Sun          - closed

My order is usually a caramel macchiato or cafe mocha (hot, iced, or frappe). I rarely request for another flavor. I sometimes request to have it twice blended for a finer or smoother taste (for frappe). You can also create your own concoction  for added variety.

Starbucks have this comfy and relaxing atmosphere. It just feel like home.  And the baristas are friendly and sociable. 

I had a conversation with a client who was located in US. I don't know if he was joking or something, but he  acted surprised that there is Starbucks in the Philippines. "You have Starbucks?", he asked. "Are you kidding me? Of course, we have--it's almost everywhere. I can't start working without a cup of Starbucks coffee!" I replied.  That was an exaggeration of course. 

Starbucks HK

When me and my girl friends Ivy and Belle landed in Hong Kong on a vacation, the first store we looked for was Starbucks. We were so happy to find one just a walking distance from where we stayed. The coffee was a bit strong compared to what is being served here in the Philippines, which I thought was better. And the cheesecake with real berries, yummy!

Starbucks began brewing in the Philippines in December 4, 1997 at 6750 Ayala Building in Makati City. On its website, it says that the Philippines is the third market to open outside North America.  The overwhelming crowd flocking in a Starbucks store shows  that Filipinos are indeed coffee fanatic not to mention Starbucks lover. Not to over-analyze this scenario, coffee drinking is always at its best at Starbucks.

Featured beverages

It's almost end of the year, when the wind is cold and you started hearing Christmas carols. Starbucks are once again offering seasonal beverages: Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, and Peppermint Mocha. My fave? The Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha.