GotSoul Manila is a new urban dining destination made for the “soulful” individual who loves seriously good music and excellent cuisine.
Manolet Dario stands behind the DJ booth at GotSoul MNL, the new urban dining and Hi-Fi listening space in Forbes Town that he’s a venture partner in. He’s clearly in his element, spinning real vinyl on the turntable. The sound that fills the room is immersive, almost velvety, its audio quality pristine and powered by vintage Altec Lansing speakers from the 1970s, which are known for their warm analog depth, rounded bass, and crystalline highs.
“Stand over there,” Manolet says, pointing to the center of the room. “That’s the sweet spot.” I move. He’s right. The music settles perfectly—full but never overwhelming, cozy yet expansive. “That’s how we built this place,” he continues as the record spins to a stop. “[It’s] somewhere you can truly enjoy good music and still hear your friends. The decibel levels are controlled.” Later on, he clarifies that statement, pointing to the machines hanging in certain parts of the room—subtly positioned volume or sound limiters, their clock-like monitor suspended high on a wall, its red LED numbers fluctuating. That’s the moment I realize: they take their music here very seriously.
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DJs, Assemble
With such care for sound and music, it’s no surprise that the team behind GotSoul MNL is a group of friends who are all seasoned DJs. Their story really begins with Jojo Flores, a Filipino-Canadian DJ and producer who founded GotSoul Records in the 2000s. Based in Canada, Flores envisioned extending the ethos of his label into a physical space for music lovers and coffee enthusiasts. In 2021, he launched the first Café GotSoul in Montreal, a community-driven haven where sound and conversation could coexist. In 2025, he opened Café GotSoul in Boracay, a beachfront hub complete with a full menu and sunset DJ sets.
For Manila, the concept evolved. This iteration of GotSoul serves as an urban dining destination: a restaurant-café by day that transforms into a full-fledged Hi-Fi listening bar by night, with a stellar F&B program (more on that later). To bring this concept to life, Flores partnered with like-minded nightlife veterans whose decades of experience in various fields lend the concept its credibility. Namely, JP Enriquez, who stands as CEO and head of the tequila program; Chele Gonzalez, who heads the food program; Manolet Dario and Jason Soong, both of whom lead the music program and sound system; Benjo Marquez, who steers the architecture, music program, and whiskey and coffee program; and Dee Dario, who takes on the role of General Manager and oversees overall operations.
Manolet explains that while all partners have been fixtures in the scene for years, GotSoul MNL represents evolution rather than nostalgia. While it’s their way of preserving the discipline of past DJ culture—the kind that prioritizes selection, flow, and feel—they do so with the aim of introducing it to a younger, more discerning audience who are not simply looking for another new bar, but rather, a sensorial, community-driven experience.
And how are they drawing in that younger crowd? There are the more obvious, tangible factors: a thoughtfully designed space and a new menu by Michelin-starred chef Chele Gonzalez. But beyond that is an ethos that grounds everything they do: the partners behind GotSoul MNL are far from “gatekeepy.” While they spin on their dedicated nights, they actively invite younger DJs they respect to take the booth as well, wanting to offer a spot for those who treat DJ-ing as an art form, rather than mere background entertainment. You can check their weekly lineups on their official Instagram account here.
The Sound And Look Of Music
You could say that GotSoul MNL surpasses simply knowing good sound. It traces its very contours, deconstructs its machinations to create a space designed to bring out sound’s best characteristics—a spatial translation of aural precision. Though limited in size, it remains cohesive. Acoustic paneling lines the walls, engineered to enhance sound quality and insulation, yet sleek enough to serve as a design feature, rather than a mere functional necessity. Bold accents punctuate the dining area, most notably the striking red Key Chairs from Exploratory Projects, which give the room a playful, art-forward edge.
At the center of it all is the DJ booth, undoubtedly the space’s focal point. Behind it are shelves of vinyl from the founder’s personal collection, a visual reminder that GotSoul was born from genuine devotion to craft. Framing the booth are two formidable sound systems: a contemporary quadraphonic setup with TPI sound systems straight from the UK and vintage Altec Lansing A5 speakers.
With precise imaging, unmatched clarity, and a sound that’s easy on the ears (non-fatiguing), the TPI systems rank among the finest in modern audio technology. Though when it comes to showcasing the full breadth of older yet steadfastly superb audio systems, the rare Altec Lansing A5 speakers are gems. “These were used in the cinemas back in the day,” shared Jason Soong with Lifestyle Asia . “And what’s cool about this pair is when I had them serviced and refurbished, I found out that these speakers were actually sold by my dad back in the 70s. So this actually came from him 50 years ago, which I think is a pretty cool full-circle moment.”
Soong’s inadvertently personal ties with the vintage system add a layer of intimacy to the space, with history quite literally humming through the speakers. The sound that once filled cinemas decades ago now fills a room of curious listeners in BGC, giving a new generation the chance to experience high-fidelity audio the way it was meant to be heard.
Yes, it may all sound intimidating—the exacting standards of the sound engineering, the premium speakers, and the expert DJ partners who roam the space. But if guests could take away one thing from a visit, the group hopes it’s this: music isn’t meant to intimidate a gathering so much as enhance it. “We want our patrons to create beautiful memories [and] deepen interactions among friends. [The music and the sound] is more for the social aspect,” Soong expounds. And really, what better way to connect than over good music—and, of course, great food?
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The Food Has GotSoul
When you have Chele Gonzalez as one of your partners, good food is a guarantee. The Spanish-born chef, who has lived in the Philippines for over 15 years, is among the most acclaimed in his adopted home, with several of his restaurants earning distinctions at the country’s first Michelin Guide ceremony last year. Together with Chef Carlos Villaflor, a longtime collaborator in his award-winning kitchens, the chef has crafted a tapas menu that feels playful and joyful, presenting Spanish foundations infused with Filipino character.
Lifestyle Asia sampled several dishes during our visit, but a few stand out. The star of the night was the Jamon Explosion, a petite appetizer that absolutely lives up to its name. Reminiscent of a croquette, the delicate sphere is filled with manchego mousse and topped with savory jamon. The wait staff suggested eating it in one bite—and we did. Boom! A rush of creamy, salty richness flooded the palate. Decadent, yes. Regrettable? Not even slightly.
The Pulpo a la Plancha delivers exactly what you’d expect from chefs who’ve mastered their craft. The octopus is tender and smoky, elevated by fluffy potato espuma, bright lemon aioli, and a subtle kick of togarashi. There’s also the Sisig Pasta, which reimagines a Filipino favorite through exceptional pork and crisp chicharon folded into a luscious Alfredo sauce.
We also recommend the Wagyu Bistek, a generous cut of beef cooked to medium perfection, bathed in that iconic soy-citrus Filipino sauce, and served with garlic rice and charred onions. For sharing, the paellas are a must. After all, this is a Chele Gonzalez kitchen. We tried the Chicken Inasal Paella (yes, you read that right), a beautifully fluffy rice dish (complete with prized socarrat) that’s topped with grilled, juicy inasal-style chicken thighs.
The beverage program holds its own. With the help of sommeliers Cyril and Pierre Addison, Chele has curated a wine list of over 25 labels, each selected to complement the menu. For cocktail enthusiasts, sommelier and consultant Marina Wilkis (who previously collaborated with Chele in his other concepts) offers a lineup that ranges from polished classics to inventive, non-alcoholic mocktails for those skipping the booze.
To understand what makes GotSoul work, we don’t have to dig too deep. Return to the root of it: sound. Like the best music, it nods to the beloved classics but spins them (pun very much intended) into something entirely new—a layered structure that pleases the ear through thoughtful arrangement, with details that are wonderful on their own yet amount to something far greater when brought together. It’s a space where the analog past meets modern Manila; where music is treated as craft, not background noise; and where flavor and frequency share equal billing.
GotSoul MNL is located at FWH Unit 125 Forbestown Rd, Taguig, BGC, open daily from 5 PM until late
Photos courtesy of GotSoul MNL
