Pavement Records: More than a Record Shop in Cebu City

As a local in Cebu City, I find that it is my responsibility to look through the nooks and crannies for its hidden treasures. Among these treasures is a record shop along Pres. Quirino St. called Pavement Records. As someone who likes music and drinks, I appreciate this place so much for having both.

It is a bit difficult to find because it’s not on the main road and every corner in that neighborhood looks the same to me. For those not familiar with the area and for non-locals, I think that the best way to locate it is through Castle Peak Hotel, one can enter on the street across to easily navigate its location. You can also look their location up online.

I got to visit this place back in July for a date with my partner. This was on our long list of date spots for a while, and it was a spontaneous decision that I’m glad I agreed to. I remember that night we had dinner, went out to the movies to watch Nolan’s Oppenheimer, then got gelato. To end the night, we were looking for a place to have a drink and cool down. Safe to say, Pavement Records did not disappoint.

They have records and record players available for purchase. I’m not a huge vinyl record fanatic nor do I know much about it, but as a fan of music, I appreciate how the records are categorized so it’s easy to spot a record based on genre and taste. I also liked how the genres vary, that way, it caters to people with different taste preferences.

While searching for good music, they also ensured that you’re listening to good music. A DJ was in charge of the vibes and music was playing and I was there, fighting my urge to dance. Although, I might have gotten away with a little sway.

A little sangria never killed nobody

A perfect pair to good music is a good drink. They always say, “life is about enjoying good drinks” or something in that sense and I couldn't agree more.
I came here for the drinks after a long night and I had a glass of Sangria. It was a refreshing drink and it was exactly what I needed. We paired it with sliced sausages that came with a delicious garlic dip.

They have more options for quick bites, but after a long night, we were too stuffed to try more. I am looking forward to coming back here in the future so I could try out some of the other options. They also serve coffee and I was really tempted to get a cup, but decided that caffeine in the middle of the night would not be very beneficial.

Check their menu out.

It wasn’t bad at all, my partner and I had a seat for a while to chat then went around to scan for some records. We got to talk to some people as well and it is a perfect place to chat with someone who has a similar interest in music and to meet new people with that interest.

It is true that music brings people together. Music preference is a great conversation starter and you can tell so much about a person based on who they are listening to. It makes me appreciate not only the similarities between people, but also the differences. As I scan through records in different genres and artists, it’s like I have uncovered the complexity of humanity and how different we all are based on the music we listen to. From The Carpenters to Travis Scott, they have different sounds, different audiences, and provide different experiences. I had an epiphany while scanning through the records that the music I listen to is weird, boring, or shallow for some people and that is not a good thing nor a bad thing, it’s just what it is- we are all different.

I am glad that this place provided me with that insight, a good time, and a story to tell. It was a pleasant evening and I had a fun time just absorbing all the good energy of the place.

I feel like what sets it apart from other places is how it provides an experience not just a purchase; here, you can have either or you can have both. It’s just a good place to chill and listen to music while having drinks.

At the end of the night, we didn’t purchase a record since we do not have a record player to start with. We have always wanted to get a turntable, but considering we live in a studio apartment and the space a turntable and a record collection occupies, we decided against it. However, it is something that we really want and we hope we could make space for in the future.

Overall, it’s just a good way to end the night. The drinks, the music, the people; the whole aura of the place is pretty laid back and yet alive and active. It gave me a reassuring welcome. I would definitely go back. I haven’t been back there since last July, but I’m really keen to go again and I really recommend it if you are in the city or around the area. They are open Mondays to Saturdays at 4:00 in the afternoon to 1:00 at night.

I hope that this blog was enough to express how much I enjoyed the night and what a great place it truly is. This is the first experience I have shared here on The Hive and I felt more encouraged to write this down from the feedback of my introblog. I am very grateful to be a part of this supportive community and to share my experiences to others. If you have read this far, I appreciate it so much. I hope that my content can provide almost a tour of my homeland and others can see its value as much as I do.

Here’s to more stories to share!