Sometimes, we girls just want to have fun. As for retired party animals like me, there are some nights we just want to relive our younger years, but on a more wholesome scale—dancing until midnight, with proper libations in moderation, great company, and good music. I’m sure I’m not alone in my sentiments because there’s a weekly beeline at the hottest disco joint in town—The Studio Dance Club.

The Studio Dance Club is now open in their new location: Greenbelt 3Located at their new space on the third level of Greenbelt 3 in Ayala, Makati, the Studio Dance Club wows anyone who enters their establishment. With a disco ball hanging by the entrance, it’s so easy to spot along the row of restaurants. The glass windows and doors are inviting, while the velvet curtains cover the main area and provide a sense of intrigue and mystery. The Art Deco interiors are impressively done by their Interior Designer, Anna Jaurigue, with the overall aesthetic giving a social ambiance that’s both enthralling and exciting. They have three seating areas, the regular tables by the dining area (Php 750/head), the VIP tables by the dance floor (starts at Php 5,000/4 pax), and the elevated area with premium tables by the big windows (Php 15,000/7 pax). All rates are consumable.

Art Deco interiors add glitz and glam to the disco experience

Since its reopening, the Studio Dance Club has been attracting dance enthusiasts of all ages from all walks of life—from millennials and Gen Z-ers having a barkada night out, to seniors who enjoy ballroom dancing. I even saw a young adult with special needs busting his groove on the dance floor, surrounded by his family, having the time of his life. Talk about inclusivity! It was such a sight to behold. 

Disco balls and night lights all around for the full disco experience

As for its inception, it all began in 2020 at its previous location in LPL Tower (still in Makati), without the intention of making it a disco. The initial plan was to put up a ballroom dance club. Anna Mangulabnan and Bunny de Leon are the partners-slash-owners of the well-loved establishment, who met in grade school. “Anna and I went on a road and food trip to Pampanga in August 2019. On our drive back to Manila, I asked Anna if she knew any dance instructors (DIs) because I wanted to learn the Swing. She managed a ballroom venue 15 years ago, so I figured she would know some. During this verbal exchange, we hopped from ‘I want to dance’ to ‘Where do we even go to dance?’ Then it just dawned on us... ‘Why don't we put up a dance club?’" Needless to say, the rest was history.

VIP seats are closer to the dance floor

But just like anything grand and successful, Bunny and Anna also had their fair share of challenges, totally blindsided by the global pandemic that hit right after their opening. “On March 15, 2020, the government announced a lockdown. We had to close. I thought this would be a three-week break, so we bid everyone goodbye and prepared for a three-week hiatus. Who knew it was going to take three years?! In those three dark years, we would open and close operations as the alert levels eased,” Bunny reminisced.

DJ Nicolai Nielsen from Copenhagen, Denmark on deck

It may have been a rough start for Studio Dance Club, but even the darkest clouds still have silver linings. “One slow night, we had just one regular client and her two DIs. Playing our usual Afro-Latin set, we expected nothing eventful—until Anna's niece arrived with friends, requesting disco music. As they filled the dance floor, our regular walked out! We apologized, but that night sparked Disco Friday! Turns out, Anna’s niece brought the Ateneo Dance Troupe, who then spread the word, bringing even more friends!”

Friday nights are busy for the Studio Dance Club

Disco Friday is one of the busiest nights of the Studio Dance Club, and I love that the dance floor gets filled relatively early at 9 pm! The area is also sizeable so you still have some sense of personal space as you follow along with their amazing dance instructors. On top of that, the Studio Dance Club serves delicious food and drinks to fuel and sustain you for more time on the dance floor. My favorites are the lumpia, bagnet chips, nachos, chicken wings, and sausage. Try their frozen margarita, sangrias, and lychee martini for an extra festive and boozy night.

Dine, drink, and dance at the Studio Dance Club

My experience at the Studio Dance Club is filled with unforgettable memories and hours and hours of dancing, shared with the people I love. Anna and Bunny sure know how to curate a tasteful night out with good, clean fun. It’s the ultimate destination to dine, drink, and dance. The best part? You don’t even need to know how. You just need to round up your pals, line up behind the dance instructors, release your inhibitions, and get into the groove.

And just like that, disco is so back!

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Studio Dance Club is located at the 3F of Greenbelt 3 Mall, Ayala, Makati. Follow them on Instagram.

Afternoon Ballroom: Sunday to Saturday 2:00-6:30 pm

Evening Ballroom: Sunday to Wednesday 7:00 pm-12 mn

Thursday Swing: 7:00 pm onwards

Disco Nights: Friday and Saturday 7:00 pm-2:00 am

Reservations are highly encouraged.