The story of Dillingers 1903 has never been a straightforward one. In 2010, it began as a bar — loud, alive, and packed, with crowds overflowing into the outdoor hallway of Greenbelt 3's third floor — and went on to earn a reputation as a mainstay of Makati's dining and nightlife scene.

Founded by Sean Fariñas and his friends, Dillingers has withstood shifts in trends and in the social habits of Filipinos, continuing to serve steak, drinks, and nights of lively celebration while evolving alongside the city.

By the late 2010s, only a handful of loyal regulars remained — until videos on TikTok brought in a new crowd looking for Makati bars that served American-inspired comfort food at great value, according to Mr. Fariñas. The newfound success was cut short in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic nearly claimed the business; Dillingers barely survived while other restaurants closed down. In 2024, it had recovered enough to undergo a renovation.

"After everything this place had been through, I felt that 'okay' wasn't enough. We owed it to the brand. We owed it to our loyal customers. We owed it to the new generation discovering us," Mr. Fariñas told the press during a media event marking the restaurant's 16th anniversary.

Today, he sums up the journey simply: "From packed hallways, to empty nights, to TikTok videos, to a pandemic that almost shut our doors forever. But Dillingers is still here."

For its 16th year, Dillingers is opening a second branch in Nuvali — a mixed-use township development in Laguna, south of Metro Manila — targeted for November, bringing the brand's signature food, drinks, and social dining experience to a new destination and, for the first time, beyond Makati.

Upcoming Menu

On Sept. 28, BusinessWorld was given a taste of the improved menu at Dillingers 1903 in Makati, helmed by corporate chef Kevin Villarica.

"I'm not here to make big changes," he told BusinessWorld. "I just want to strengthen what we already have."

Among the starters, the spinach and artichoke dip paired with crostini makes for a good palate opener, while the mushroom soup is authentically thick and creamy. The truffle fries — surely a response to truffle's status as a trendy ingredient — are a serviceable snack likely to be ordered by customers there for drinks.

Speaking of drinks, a must-try would be the specialty cocktails concocted by award-winning mixologist Allan King Roxas. One standout is the stylish Lavender Haze, which mixes London dry gin with crème de cassis, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and, of course, lavender syrup, plus a bubble on top that pops into a misty haze.

The steaks are the star, however. The tomahawk is cooked to perfection, and the juicy prime ribeye is sure to satisfy any meat lover. Priced at P1,750 — with steaks of similar quality costing far more at other restaurants — it is no wonder they have become Dillingers' main attraction. The truffle pasta, creamy yet nuanced in its use of the distinct flavor, is another must-try.

Aside from the Nuvali branch, Mr. Fariñas said the team is working on a new concept called Room 1903, which they hope to open in the fourth quarter of the year. It is set to offer "a more intimate and elevated expression of the Dillingers spirit while staying rooted in the brand's passion for food, drinks and hospitality" — essentially a smaller, high-end spinoff of the restaurant.

Promos Over 16 Days

Rene Sebana, Dillingers 1903's vice-president for operations, said the 16th anniversary year will be an eventful one. The restaurant is launching a promo series called "16 Days of Dillingers," with special offers across its food and beverage items.

Scheduled for Oct. 1 to 16, one promo will price the pastas — usually around P300 to P500 — at P160. Another will offer cocktails at P60 a glass, while the coveted steaks will at some point be available for just P1,600. The pricing extends the same value proposition — American-inspired comfort food at accessible prices — that Mr. Fariñas credited with drawing Dillingers' TikTok-era crowd.

"It will be a 16-day celebration where we give back to our regulars through these promos on our classics and bestsellers," Mr. Sebana said. He added that the improved menu will launch on Oct. 16, the official celebration of the anniversary.

Mr. Fariñas said the motivation to finally grow the brand after more than a decade stems from honoring everything it has been through.

"Ten branches is our big-picture goal. Hopefully, Nuvali will only be the beginning of many more branches to come," he said. "Dillingers has never just been a bar or a restaurant. It's a story, and after 16 years, we're still writing it."

— Brontë H. Lacsamana

Source: BusinessWorld