In the heart of the Ortigas Home Depot lies what is easily one of the most exciting places for beer lovers in the Metro: Pivo Restobar. Offering more than a hundred different kinds of imported beers, Pivo can and will satisfy your thirst for anything alcoholic.

The bar opens for dinner just after the sun sets, providing a very cozy and laid-back atmosphere with dim lights and cool music. If you’re after more privacy, a mezzanine area equipped with comfortable L-shaped sofas set around low tables give the phrase “sit back and relax” greater meaning. The warm waiters are excellent at making you want to drink: if you’re not careful, you’re looking at a night of inebriation. But then again, that might be exactly what you’re after.

The star of the show is the alcohol. Serving up drinks from all over the world, Pivo has beers from Belgium, Australia, and Germany. It’s a feat in itself to actually read through all the drinks Pivo offers on their menu.

The Franziskaner beer (P188) from Germany is a refreshing break from the local beers one is accustomed to. The thick wheat beer looks cloudy and has a robust taste, and goes down smooth.

The tequila-infused Desperados beer (P245) from France, served with a slice of lemon in the neck of the bottle, tastes more like an alcoholic soda than a beer; it’s a fine drink that defies classification. It has a distinctly sour lime flavor that will take a while to leave your mouth. Easy to gulp down, it’s the type of drink that makes one ask for more.

Nothing goes better with great booze than great food, and Pivo has a lot of that to offer. One of their biggest hits is their Buffalo Wings (P320). The chicken is soft and juicy, but the magic is in the sauce. It has a spicy, tangy flavor that’s just right, and as if that weren’t enough, the wings come with creamy ranch sauce as well.

The Blue Burger (P320) has a big, juicy 100% beef patty topped with blue cheese and caramelized onions. The resulting mix of flavors is rich and tasty. The fries on the side, however, are a bit oily.

For the indecisive, Pivo also has Three in One Pizza (P390). It is combination of Pivo’s Pepperoni, Bacon Cheeseburger, and Garlic and Anchovy pizza. The crust is thin, light and floury, with good texture, and the toppings are spread generously over the thick cheese.

Although slightly expensive, the experience of drinking foreign beers accompanied by excellent dishes is very much worth the price. Open 6pm onwards from Monday to Saturday, Pivo Restobar gets filled up with people rather quickly, and it’s not hard to see why.