Sala by Seva: This new San Juan bar invites you to stay for a good time and a long time

Husband-and-wife duo, head chefs Neil Dy and Amanda Hao, told PhilSTAR L!fe that the bar concept “came organically” over the past two years through talks and feedback from Seva's regulars.

"When we began crafting Sala’s first menu, we looked back on our journey with Seva and paid close attention to what our guests had been quietly asking for, like drinks they missed and flavors they craved," Dy said.

"Seva has always been about our guests, and Sala by Seva continues that philosophy," added Hao. "It’s about filling the gaps, creating space, and giving our friends and friends of friends exactly what they’ve been looking for."

Like the global dishes at Seva, the cocktail menu—helmed by Head of Beverage Juliana Guzman—is just as fun as it is precise. It has something for every kind of drinker—whether you’re in the mood for something light and fruity, or something stronger and boozier.

Juliana approaches each drink thoughtfully and intuitively. "Each one is made with balance and intention, designed to be approachable yet layered and familiar," she said in an interview with L!fe. "Every cocktail on the menu has its own personality."

If you're up for something that gives off a distinctive note, try Balsamic Sour. “Think of it as a salad, reimagined as a cocktail," she explained. "It's paired with salted strawberry garnish to complement the vegetal notes, so it leans adventurous but remains approachable and almost always surprises people with how easy it is to drink."

For an option that easily pleases, go for Whisky Tea & Cheese. "This cocktail highlights Japanese whisky through a fruity, tea-forward profile, balanced by an addictive salted silk cream that adds richness and texture," Juliana said, describing it as "gentle, comforting, and elegant."

Craving something refreshing after a tiring work day? Order the Mango Highball—a tequila highball layered with cardamom and kaffir lime. "These notes complement the sweetness and tartness of the mango shrub sorbet that you mix in," shared Juliana. According to her, the entire cocktail tastes lighter as it melts.

If you like some hints of coffee in your drink, the White Russian in Mont Blanc is for you. It's Sala's refined take on the coffee cocktail: amped up with in-house coffee liqueur and vanilla cream, and then finished off with some orange and cinnamon.

There are also His and Hers for date nights. His is Sala's version of the Boulevardier with hojicha milk clarification, mezcal, and some chocolate, while Hers is its floral and fruity take on the classic martini with some plum wine and peach.

To complete the experience, Sala serves snacks that are easy to share. Among the menu must-tries are the Hot Crab Dip, which features blue crab from Negros, mozzarella fresca, and leeks served with toasted sourdough bread; Crispy Potatoes, which are double-fried and topped with crispy shallots, and served with leek aioli; and Mussel Pops, which are beer-battered mussels served with basil aioli.

With its bites and booze as well as curated music and warm service, Sala lets you chill in a spot that magically feels slow yet vibrant at the same time. "It’s really a place meant for comfort—for settling in and unwinding," Jonah Chantong, operations manager, told L!fe. "Our hope is that it always feels like being welcomed into a close friend’s home where the bartender knows what you like and the atmosphere invites you to stay."

Sala is tucked inside Seva, which is located at 2F LYH Building 714 Jose Abad Santos St., San Juan. It's open from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Fridays to Saturdays, and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. For inquiries, contact 0917 804 5662 or message them on Instagram.