A co-working venue by day and chic bar by night, Sa’min lives up to its name as a space for everyone.
San Juan is steadily becoming a center for the Metro’s hippest restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. With its sprawling and thriving neighborhoods, why wouldn’t it? From big collective spaces like The Corner House to smaller yet equally beloved dining spots like Lágrima, the city is rife with delicious (literally and figuratively) possibilities. One of the more recent additions to this collection of neighborhood spots is Sa’min —nestled within the ground floor of Wilson Park Square, it’s proving itself to be a noteworthy community staple in more ways than one.
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Coming To Fruition: The Birth Of Sa’min
Sa’min is the homegrown passion project of owner Jenell “Jen” San Antonio, who dreamed of opening a bar of her own since college—and, more specifically, one in the area she grew up in. In July 2024, after years of patient planning and saving, that dream became a reality.
And just as crucial to this story is the impetus behind the endeavor, which continues to carry her forward: the goal of creating an inclusive community that finds safety and comfort within the walls of Sa’min. Given Jen’s background, this emphasis on connection, acceptance, and egalitarianism comes as no surprise.
“My personal vision has always been to uplift women and the LGBTQIA+ community—being part of this community myself, it’s something I carry into every aspect of life, and now more than ever, into my business,” she tells Lifestyle Asia. “Sa’min was built with a vision of inclusivity—both in the space itself and the people behind it.”
In a male-dominated mixology landscape, this push to provide a platform for smaller communities is not only necessary, but incredibly refreshing. “From concept to execution, Sa’min has been shaped by a team of talented women and LGBTQIA+ team members, including mixologists, designers, creatives, and staff, pushing back against the norms of the industry,” she adds. “As a newcomer to this space, I’m also drawing from my own lived experiences within the community—and I hope Sa’min helps foster that same sense of belonging and empowerment in the food and beverage industry.”
You can see the commitment the moment you step inside the establishment, a team of hardworking women warmly greeting you as you enter, evidently in their element as they serve customers or mix drinks.
Step Inside The…Co-Working Space? Bar? Sa’min Is All Of The Above.
Sa’min is a bit of everything, a chameleon of a space that’s exactly what a customer needs at any given moment. From Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, it’s a co-working spot with aircon, unlimited coffee, and internet: essentially a go-to haven for remote workers and companies without a dedicated office. Customers pay a fee per head and gain access to all of this; a sweet deal that once again showcases Sa’min’s commitment to building an accessible space.
In the evenings—6 PM to 12 midnight from Tuesday to Thursday, and 6 PM to 2 AM on Friday and Saturday—Sa’min transforms into the bar Jen dreamed of all those years ago, complete with week-ender DJ nights. It’s a cozy, intimate space with soft, mid-century modern sensibilities and pops of color, thanks to some charming illustrated works. When our team visited on a late weekday evening, there were already a sizable amount of people unwinding in each other’s company: which should be an indicator of its rising status.
Sa’min stays true to its name—a playful contraction of the Filipino phrase “Sa amin,” which loosely translates to “Ours” in English. It hasn’t even celebrated its one-year anniversary yet, and Jen’s already been hard at work collaborating with other F&B establishments, creatives, mixologists, and DJs to create memorable experiences.
For instance, on May 1, 2025, Sa’min had its first bar takeover with mixologist Toru Ariyoshi from Kyoto’s famous Bees Knees speakeasy bar (a name that’s consistently been a part of The World’s 50 Best Bars since 2020). In the past, Sa’min has also hosted fun activities like journaling sessions, trivia nights, and tattoo artist pop-ups, with many more plans on the horizon.
Food And Drinks At Sa’min
One of the main fixtures of any bar—besides a great ambiance and community—are its drinks. Luckily, Sa’min delivers with unique Filipino-inspired concoctions that truly stand out. Each of its signature cocktails is nostalgia in a cup, inspired by the comfort food and desserts that many of our childhoods are comprised of. Let’s start off with the most interesting of the bunch, which is “Tinola ni Leticia.” A savory tribute to Jen’s mother and her wholesome tinola soup, the refreshing drink is made with egg whites, chicken broth, citrus, white rum, lemon, and ginger: fans of the soup should note that it’s a must-try.
“S.U.H.A.” is a light, sparkly cocktail that’s a great starter. The acronym references its ingredient of pomelo (suha in Filipino), but also stands for “Sipping Unassuming Healthy Alcohol”—a witty, tongue-in-cheek statement. Made with lambanog (a traditional Filipino liquor of fermented coconut palm sap), pomelo cordial, tonic water, and desiccated coconut salt, the drink truly is the love child of a Gin & Tonic and Paloma, as Sa’min describes in its menu.
Those with a sweet tooth will relish in the bar’s “Scrambol” cocktail—named after that all too vibrant and delectable frozen dessert iskrambol. Like its namesake, it has that addictive marshmallow-y, bubblegum flavor (complete with sprinkles). It’s made with whiskey, chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, and bitters, almost like the real deal.
Then there’s the more spirit-forward “XO,” named after the nation’s delightful coffee candy. It’s made up of mezcal, coffee liquor, Peychauds bitters, and butterscotch syrup, then served with coffee jelly on a metal skewer. Flavorful but well-balanced, it’s the drink for people who want that kick (or desperately need it for an all-nighter).
Lastly is “Tama Rin,” a humorous play on “tamarind” and the Filipino word tama—which could either mean “correct” or you’ve had a few too many drinks. Made with gin, coconut liqueur, lime, and tamarind, it’s a zesty and tart mixture that still remains pleasant on the tongue.
On top of these brilliant cocktails, Sa’min also serves classics like Aperol Spritz, Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Margarita, Paloma, and Martini—just in case you feel like sticking to the basics on some evenings.
As for food, the bar partnered with nearby restaurants Flossom Kitchen + Cafe, and oyster bar Oista, to form a diverse menu of bites. Pulutan like Patatas (Patatas Bravas), and Talong (Crispy Glazed Eggplant), and Tapa sa Tinapay (Tapa Crostini with Brie) make for hearty companions and easy eating while you sip.
A Third Place For Everyone
Sa’min is a place that manages to be customer-driven while still maintaining a sense of singularity, an unwavering faithfulness to its owner’s ethos.
“I’ve spent over a decade in the corporate world—which means I’ve been a customer for just as long. So when we were building Sa’min, we kept coming back to one key question: As customers, would we like this? That perspective shaped every decision—from creating a menu that’s approachable yet elevated, to designing a space that feels intentional and welcoming,” shares Jen. “The concept behind Sa’min is to be your third space—not your home, not your workplace, but still your go-to. A place where you can work during the day, unwind at night, and feel a sense of community throughout. That kind of thoughtfulness, I believe, is what makes us stand out in San Juan’s growing F&B scene.”
The strength of this bar slash co-working space slash everything-in-between is that it knows what it is and what it wants from this multitudinous, communal set-up; which means Sa’min is right where it needs to be—and what it needs to be—for the people of San Juan and beyond.
Photos by Lester Victoriano and Nina Capistrano, courtesy of Sa’min.
