GotSoul MNL in BGC: A Hi-Fi Listening Bar for Modern Tapas and Soulful Nights
In most restaurants, music stays in the background. At GotSoul MNL, it moves with the food, shapes the mood, and becomes part of the experience itself.
Located in Forbestown Road, Bonifacio Global City, GotSoul MNL is a Hi-Fi listening bar and modern tapas concept that brings together elevated analog sound, soulful hospitality, and a menu inspired by Spanish and Filipino flavors. It is designed not only as a place to eat and drink, but as a space where guests can listen, gather, discover, and ease into the rhythm of the day, whether over coffee, tapas, cocktails, wine, or late-night music sessions.
IMAGE from GotSoul MNL
Behind this concept is Jojo Flores, a Filipino-Canadian DJ, producer, and founder of GotSoul Records, which began in 2000 as a record label focused on underground deep and soulful house. With nearly 45 years of professional DJ experience, Jojo has built a career shaped by vinyl culture, global travel, and the belief that music connects people across cities and communities. From Montreal to Brazil, South Africa, Europe, and the United States, his travels helped shape the GotSoul identity—one rooted in sound, community, and shared experience.
Jojo Flores / IMAGE from GotSoul MNL
After opening Café GotSoul in Montreal with his brother Toddy, Jojo eventually brought the concept to the Philippines, a country he has long considered part of his personal and creative journey. Born in the Philippines and raised in Montreal, he had been returning to the country as an artist for many years, building friendships with promoters, musicians, and like-minded creatives. What began as a record label eventually grew into events, merchandise, cafés, and now listening spaces in Montreal, Manila, and Boracay.
The concept traces its roots to the global culture of listening bars, particularly the Japanese jazz kissa, where sound is treated with care and intention. At GotSoul MNL, this inspiration is reimagined in a more social and community-driven Manila setting. Guests can enjoy the clarity of the music without losing the ease of conversation, creating a balanced environment where sound, lighting, furniture, design, food, and drinks are all given equal attention.
At the center of the space is the listening area, with the DJ booth serving as one of its defining features. Framed by records and supported by two sound systems—a contemporary quadraphonic system and a vintage Altec Lansing A5 setup—the venue offers an immersive Hi-Fi experience that allows guests to appreciate music in a more intentional way. Depending on the time of day, the space can feel like a relaxed restaurant lounge, a listening room, or an intimate dancefloor.
IMAGE from GotSoul MNL
The interiors follow the same thoughtful rhythm. Clean lines, sleek textures, and bold accents give the space a polished yet energetic character. The vibrant red Kay chairs from Exploratory Projects, in particular, add movement and personality to the room, echoing the lively soundscape that defines GotSoul MNL. Circular tables and booth-style seating also allow the space to feel both intimate and social, making it suited for quiet listening, casual catch-ups, and evening gatherings.
IMAGE from GotSoul MNL
IMAGE from GotSoul MNL
Food plays an equally important role in completing the experience, shaped by Chele Gonzalez, who brings together his worlds of cooking and music. Known for his work in the Philippine dining scene, Chele is also a longtime DJ and music selector. Before becoming a chef, he was already deeply involved in electronic music, having been part of the 1990s underground scene and the evolution from disco to house, deep house, minimal, and techno. This musical background gives GotSoul MNL another layer of personality, allowing its menu and sound direction to feel connected rather than separate.
Chele Gonzalez / IMAGE from GotSoul MNL
At GotSoul MNL, Chele does not see himself only as a chef, but as a curator of both food and music. His approach to the menu is relaxed, personal, and expressive. The food is meant to be approachable and shareable, with Spanish and Filipino flavors presented through a modern global lens. It follows the spirit of tapas—small plates, comforting flavors, and dishes that naturally pair with drinks, conversation, and music.
Guests may begin with the Kingfish Tostada, a bright and flavorful bite-sized starter layered with fresh kingfish, crisp tortilla, corn guacamole, and pickles. The crunch of the tostada contrasts beautifully with the smooth, subtly sweet guacamole, while the pickles add a refreshing acidity that keeps each bite light, lively, and appetizing.
Kingfish Tostada (Php 290) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
The Tuna Tataki Kinilaw is also a great choice. It is a refreshing tapas plate that brings together the clean richness of tuna with the bright, zesty notes of lime, cilantro, and pickles. Each bite offers a lively balance of acidity and freshness, making it an ideal starter to awaken the palate before moving on to GotSoul MNL’s richer dishes.
Tuna Tataki Kinilaw (Php 490) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
For hot appetizers, the Octopus Croquetas offer an indulgent burst of warm, comforting flavors, combining tender octopus with creamy béchamel, black ink, and garlic mayo. Crisp on the outside and rich within, each bite delivers a savory depth that makes it a satisfying choice for those who enjoy bold, seafood-forward tapas.
Octopus Croquetas (Php 350) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
For heartier dishes, the Iberico Steak Bicol Express offers a rich and distinctly Filipino take on steak. Tender and melt-in-your-mouth, the Iberico cut is complemented by a smooth pinakbet purée and pickled green chili, creating a flavorful balance of richness, spice, and acidity. It is a satisfying main plate that brings together Spanish influence and familiar local flavors in a refined yet comforting way.
Iberico Steak Bicol Express (Php 850) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
Finally, in keeping with GotSoul MNL’s Spanish-inspired approach, the Chicken Inasal Paella offers a comforting Filipino twist on the classic rice dish. Its smooth, almost creamy rice is made even more flavorful by the smoky, savory notes of chicken inasal, creating a warm and satisfying plate that brings together Spanish tradition and familiar local flavors in one hearty dish.
Chicken Inasal Paella (Solo: Php 390) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
Behind the kitchen’s consistency is a collaborative team that includes Chef Frederick, who help bring the concept’s creative direction into daily operations. For Chele, the strength of GotSoul MNL lies in this balance: music gives the place its soul, while food completes the ecosystem. The result is a dining experience that feels polished but not intimidating, creative but still comforting.
Beyond food, GotSoul MNL also builds its identity through its beverage program. Guests can enjoy wine, signature cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, craft coffee, and whiskey and tequila selections.
Some of the must-try non-alcholic drinks include the crisp and spicy Filipino Ginger Ale and the delicious and healthy Pandan Kombucha.
For those who prefer spirited drinks, the GotSoul Highball is an excellent choice, made with Dewar’s 12, calamansi, and soda. Fresh, citrusy, and easy to enjoy, it carries a distinctly Filipino groove that lifts the soul. Finally, Acid Jazz completes the selection with Mezcal, dayap, and wasabi-nori. Sour and smooth with an umami touch, it offers a more adventurous sip that mirrors GotSoul MNL’s playful blend of music, flavor, and local character.
From Left to Right: Filipino Ginger Ale (Php 200), Pandan Kombucha (Php 180), Acid Jazz (Php 450), and GotSoul Highball (Php 400) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
As the evening deepens, GotSoul MNL reveals another side of itself. Selected nights feature music selectors and DJs who guide the room through jazz, soul, funk, disco, house, and electronic music. This makes GotSoul MNL more than a restaurant or bar. It is a concept space built around music, community, and shared experience.
For Japanese guests, the connection may feel both familiar and fresh. GotSoul MNL honors the listening culture that inspired it, while giving it a distinctly Manila character—warmer, more social, and more open to conversation. In that sense, it becomes a Filipino interpretation of the Hi-Fi listening bar: respectful of its roots, but alive with its own rhythm.
At GotSoul MNL, sound is not just ambiance, and food is not merely an accompaniment. Together, they create a full sensory experience—one that invites guests to listen closely, eat well, and feel the music as much as they hear it.
