X10 Social is the Best Chill Bar in BGC You’ve Never Tried

Those who know me are vividly aware of how much I dislike loud and packed places like Xylo and Revel in the Palace because of how much it drains my social battery. I tend to gravitate toward chill bars in BGC, and that’s how I stumbled upon a hidden gem that’s tucked in a corner of BGC, away from the boisterous crowd: X10 Social.

It’s rare to find a friendly neighborhood bar like X10 in a city that almost never sleeps like BGC, and even rarer to find a bar that cares about the food they put out.

I’ll stop yapping and explain why you should try this BGC bar at least once!

The Owners & Bartenders Are Meticulous About Their Ambiance

The ambiance, especially when the night has gotten long, becomes more of an afterthought for most bars. The comfort rooms in bars can become a hellhole; there will be drinks, food, and gunk scattered all over the floor when it’s already past midnight. However, X10 just might be the exception to this rule.

Their space, although limited compared to bigger places like Xylo or Yes Please, is well thought out and they have the convenience and enjoyment of their customers at the top of their mind.

They Consider Every Detail That Adds Value to their Customer’s Experience

• They keep the music volume at a level where you can enjoy the ambiance but still be able to talk to people without having to yell at each other
• If you’ve got bags with you, they have hooks placed right underneath the bar to keep them secure.
• When your devices are running low on battery, you could even ask the bartenders to help you recharge
• Best of all, they keep their restroom clean throughout the night, even during the busiest of days

For all these reasons, I’m giving their ambiance a score of 4 out of 5. The only thing preventing them from getting a higher score is the limited space. But sometimes, that can be a good thing, especially when you’re an introvert that just wants to visit a bar and chill.

The Service is Legendary & You’ll Feel Like You’re Part of the Family

I’ve been going to this bar for a while now, and not once have I ever felt disappointed at the end of each night. The kitchen staff, the bartenders, and the owners are some of the kindest people you’ll meet in the city.

When you’ve spent enough time at X10, you start to feel like you belong, and you’ll meet interesting people from all over the world. Sometimes, I don’t even go there to drink. I just sit down, buy food, and still go home happy.

At one point, when I’ve become a regular, they started to give me a taste of their family meal. For those who don’t know, family meals are homecooked meals that they make for themselves. Their family meals are often Filipino comfort food that just evokes a sense of nostalgia that even the foreign bar regulars routinely seek out.

They’ve Built a Diverse Community That Builds Genuine Friendships & Connection

One thing that stuck to me when I spoke to Gelo, the owner, is that he started this bar as an extension of his home, because they loved hosting people at their place and listen to the stories of their new friends. That’s why he called it X10 (as in extension) Social.

X10 does feel like you’re right at home; safe, comfortable, and you can come as you are without being judged. Every time I’m there, I meet new, interesting people from all over the world and have become great friends with some of them.

The service and community at X10 is an easy 5 out of 5. Can’t get any better than that.

X10 Serves Food that Can Rival Big Restaurants in Quality and Value

Let me preface this by saying that X10 Social’s food is no joke. You can tell by the tiniest and most technical details that they really care about their food. I’d even venture to say that they’ve got one of the best burgers in BGC.

Bar food is usually mediocre or just downright terrible, or they’re just there as an expensive way to fill someone’s stomach before a night of drinking. On the other hand, X10’s food is something truly special. I’m going to give their overall quality of food a solid 4 out of 5. Their menu is not pretentious, it’s just damn good food.

X10 Classic Burger – Php. 700, Rating 4 out of 5

Burgers are often messy, greasy and in Greenlight Burger’s case, salty and poorly executed. X10’s Classic Burger is its polar opposite. There’s no fancy sauce or gimmick to the burger at X10 social. It’s simple and stupidly good and it doesn’t leave you feeling bloated.

The burger buns absorb the juiciness of the meat, and the clean composition of the burger prevents any of the goodness from falling out. There’s no secret to this burger, other than the attention to detail they put into the dish, and it freakin’ works.

Personally, I rated this burger a 4 out of 5, and I’d highly recommend it as a strong contender for one of the best burgers in BGC. A friend I brought along rated this burger a 4.5 out of 5, and honestly, I get it. Its only fault is that you’d want to order more and it’s on the pricier side for those who are budget conscious.

Blue Cheese Burger – Php. 800, Rating 4.5 out of 5

I’m not going to lie to you, this burger is currently top 3 among all of the burgers I’ve tried. Blue cheese is a powerful ingredient, and in some cases, it can ruin a dish altogether. Many people are put off by its scent, but it packs flavor that you just can’t hate.

X10’s blue cheese burger feels light but it’s nothing short of indulgent. The bacon offers it a smoky and balanced saltiness without overshadowing the natural flavor of the patty. And the closer you get to the center of the burger, the more its taste transforms.

Bonus: Take a bite of the burger and follow it up with a tangy cornichon (baby pickles), and you’ll feel those flavors sing inside your mouth.

A member of our team demolished this burger in less than 3 minutes, and ordered a second helping.

It’s the dish of the night and I’m giving it a 4.5 out of 5. Is it worth the price? No question. You’ve gotta try this at least once in your life.

Cali Burger – Php. 700, Rating 3.75 out of 5

I know, it’s another burger, but that’s one of the bar’s specialties. X10 prides itself with good service, good cocktails, and awesome effin sandwiches.

What sets this burger apart from its other 2 counterparts are the pickled jalapenos that offers a different dimension to the burger and lifts it with a spice that kicks just right. Would I order this over the other two? Probably not. Is it still a great choice? Hell, yes!

I’m giving this a solid 3.75 out of 5. I’d order this again, but the other two choices are too good to pass up for this one.

Poutine – Php. 350, Rating 4 out of 5

Folks, I am a man of simple pleasures and I appreciate chefs that can turn a dish that’s known to be heavy feel so light. Every time I’m down at X10, I cannot help but order one of these. The fries are the right level of crispiness, and the gravy combined with the cheese is just the right level of savory and saltiness that pairs well with any alcohol they have.

Hang me for all I care, but something this simple shouldn’t be this good. It’s my favorite item in their menu, and I’ve ordered it more times than any other dish.

This is rightfully a 4 out of 5 dish.

Meatballs – Php. 680, Rating 3.5 out of 5

Their meatballs are one of those reliable comfort foods that you can keep ordering with every revisit because it’s filling, delicious, and easy to eat throughout the night.

This is probably my 2nd most ordered dish at X10, and I sometimes find myself craving this dish when I want something juicy, meaty and savory.

This was the most polarizing dish, because each member of my team rated it differently. We’re averaging this dish at 3.5 out of 5. Some rated it really high, while others said it needs another dimension of flavor to lift it.

Smoked Salmon – Php. 680, Rating 3.5 out 5

For those that have been reading on this website for a while now, you probably remember the horrid experience I had at Laduree when I tried their smoked salmon. This isn’t the case for X10. Their smoked salmon is flavorful, and the dill sauce and capers adds a new level of flavor that can make you keep eating it.

Personally, I’m not a fan of raw fish but I was able to keep eating this and the rest of the team agreed that this is a solid 3.5 out of 5.

X10’s List of Creative Signature Filipino Cocktails Are Classics With a Twist

I haven’t tried all of their cocktails, but out of every drink, my favorites are the Bonifacio Sour and Pandan Old Fashioned. We were able to take a picture of the Bonifacio Sour, but not the Pandan Old Fashioned.

Bonifacio Sour – Php. 420, Rating 3.5 out of 5

I’m no expert in cocktails, but I know that a good measure of a cocktail is when you can taste both the liquor and the mixes that come along with it. The Bonifacio Sour has balanced flavors all-around. It’s not too sweet, not too sour, and you can taste the amaretto and the bourbon without a single aspect of the cocktail overpowering the other.

Pandan Old Fashioned – Php 420, Rating 4.5 out of 5

Sometimes, the simplest drinks are the ones that hit the hardest. And that’s definitely what the Pandan Old Fashioned is for me. They took a classic drink (the old Fashioned) and put a Filipino twist on it. The pandan added an aroma to the old fashioned that didn’t take away from the flavor which made it a classic in the first place. It’s my most ordered drink at X10 and you should definitely give it a try. It’s a simple yet elegant drink that anyone will fall in love with. I’m rating this a 4.5 out of 5.

Why I believe X10 is the one of the Best BGC Hangout Spots

X10 Social is a Place Anyone Can Enjoy

I’ve never been a fan of bars in general, and I usually just drink with my friends. But now, I would find myself coming to this bar on a random Wednesday evening. It’s a bar that even introverts would enjoy, and not once did I ever feel like the night was wasted whenever I’m there.

They’re an Intimate Bar That Offers Private Events

From all the days I’ve spent hanging around this bar, I’ve seen different events that they’ve hosted. They’ve had corporate events, a lowkey bachelor’s party, a bachelorette party, numerous birthdays, and they even have their own events from time to time.

They had an incredible single’s night during February 13 as a way to welcome Valentine’s day.

Compared to huge places like Medusa, Revel in the Palace, or any bar at Uptown BGC, X10 looks and feels exclusive. You, your friends & families will have a night that you can only call, wait for it…

X10 has some of the best burgers I’ve eaten

Reading my review, you can tell that I absolutely loved their burgers. X10 Social’s food packs a punch, and they care about the quality of the ingredients they use for the food, just as much as the presentation. I’m not the biggest eater, but I can proudly say I’ve downed 2 of their burgers in a night.

X10 Social might be one of the best secret bars in BGC

They don’t market themselves heavily and yet they built a community of regulars that I can only describe as industry leaders and successful business owners. They’re not trying to position themselves as a speakeasy bar, but it’s a hidden gem in the outskirts of BGC that you should definitely visit at least once if you’re staying here.

FAQs

Where is X10 Social Located?

It’s located in Trion Tower 3, beside Uncle John’s. Closest landmarks around the area are SM Aura, Arya Plaza and Modern Fox.

Does X10 Social Have Parking?

They have free parking at Trion Towers. Just ask them about the commercial parking and tell them that you’re staying at X10.

How’s the Comfort Room Situation?

There’s only one restroom, but it’s well maintained and you won’t see a stain of vomit or pee anywhere. If you can’t wait to pee, Trion Tower 3 has a lobby comfort room.

What’s The Price Range of X10 Social?

Expect to spend somewhere between Php. 500 – 1,250 per person. But even with just one beer and a Poutine, you’d probably say it’s a night well spent.

Do They Offer Private Events?

If you’re looking for a more private event, you can even book the entire place. Just give them a message on their instagram!