“Alas, we’re at the end of the road for Route 196.”

For some, Route 196 is the place where they met most of their friends, where they celebrate music or even wallow in the corner while holding their beers– just going senti mode— but now, it’s all gone.

Today, Route 196 trended on Twitter when the news broke out about their closure after 15 years of sharing their space for OPM peeps.

“We may be walking towards a different direction for now, but we wanted to make sure you had something to always remind you of our crazy ride together, the things we learned, the noise we made, the rules we broke, and the friends we picked up along the way,” they stated.

In case you didn’t know yet, this music bar has been called a ‘home’ by many up-and-coming Filipino indie bands and artists. Before their music staled different known platforms, they mostly sang at the top of their lungs first at Route 196.

Among artists who have performed in the bar are She’s Only Sixteen, Oh Flamingo, Ebe Dancel, Sandwich,  IV of Spades, and many more. Saddened by the closure, a lot of Filipino artists took to social media to relay their memories of hanging out or performing at Route 196.

 

Most of the nights, Route would be packed with many patrons jumping and dancing together with the rhythm of live music. Add to the experience the good food being served and the midnight chats that remained on its walls.

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Paano ba magpaalam sa yo? Ang dami nating mga alaala. Katulad ng huling tugtog ng sugarfree doon. Yung mga kahon ng beer, sa bubong na dinadaan para lang umabot sa kusina 😂 O yung isang beses na sa gitna ng tugtog, lumabas ako para makantahan yung mga di makapasok. Kasi kahit malayo sila at di ko makita, nararamdaman ko silang lahat. Muntik pa nga akong madapa pabalik sa stage, buti na lang walang nakapansin. At yung napakaraming beses na buong lugar ay kumakanta, mula simula hanggang huling awitin. Gaano man karami ang tao, iisa lang ang tinig, iisa lang ang puso. O yung sa gitna ng isang tugtog, tumalikod ako kasi inaatake ako ng anxiety at di ko makalma ang mga kamay ko. Hinintay mo ako hanggang kaya ko na ulit mag gitara. Tapos, tuloy ang ligaya. Marami pa, pero yung iba, dahan dahan nang kumukupas dala ng panahon at patuloy na pag ikot ng mundo. Ang mahalaga, pinuno mo ang puso ko at ng marami pang iba ng pag ibig, pag asa, at tunay na kaligayahan. Napakarami mong napasaya at nabigyan ng tahanan. Siguro, ang pinakamabuti ay hindi magpaalam kundi ang sabihin sa yo to… Maraming salamat. Iingatan ko ang mga alaalang ito. Mahal kita. Hanggang sa muli, @route196rocks

A post shared by Ebe Dancel (@ebedancel) on

In line with their farewell, Route released limited-edition T-shirts designed by Rob Chan as souvenirs for their Katipunan regulars.

You can purchase the shirt via Manila Takeout, a design initiative that aims to support the restaurant industry. All proceeds from the shirts will be donated to their partnering restaurants and their respective service teams.

What is your most unforgettable experience at Route 196?

Let us know your thoughts or opinions by sharing them through the comments below! Or just simply hit us up on our Facebook or Twitter account, @udouph.