Featured image from @clubbodegazc
Club Bodega: A Haven of Inclusivity in Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City, a metropolis rich in diverse cultures, religions, and dialects, is home to Club Bodega—a haven where inclusivity and innovation are paramount. Amidst the city’s unique traditions and perspectives, Club Bodega has created a space where every individual feels welcome, celebrated, and empowered to be themselves.
Our Midnight Takeover in Mindanao began in Zamboanga, with a warm welcome from Club Bodega on October 27. From the moment Midnight artists Curse & Bless and Florence Amoroso arrived, experiencing exceptional hospitality at LM Hotel, we knew this would be a special experience.
True to our Midnight Takeover mission, we aimed to discover hidden gems, explore the local nightlife, and connect with talented artists from across the Philippines. Club Bodega was more than just a venue; they actively collaborated with us, sharing our enthusiasm for Zamboanga’s unique character.
The Club Bodega team went above and beyond, from meticulous event planning to thoughtful gestures that continued into the second day of our visit. Their dedication to Zamboanga was evident in every interaction.
A highlight was meeting key figures in the city’s nightlife, including DJ Allen Zobel and MC Brian Deleña. Allen and Brian’s infectious enthusiasm and local knowledge enriched our experience. They ensured we not only enjoyed the event but also discovered some of Zamboanga’s best-kept secrets. On our second day, Brian hosted a gathering of top Zamboanga DJs, including Mark Corinth and Fat Chi Chow. We spent time together, shared stories, and discussed our future goals. This was a great way to experience the local music scene and atmosphere.
On the first night, we also met Reiza and Alexia, key figures in Club Bodega’s success. What started as emails and group chats turned into a night of engaging conversations and mutual admiration. We interviewed Reiza, gaining insights into the club’s strategic marketing, innovative branding, and curated musical selections.
Catering to a Diverse Clientele
Club Bodega uses a straightforward yet effective strategy to cater to its diverse clientele: embracing the uniqueness of each individual. They understand that Zamboanga’s diverse cultures are a source of strength, and strive to create a space that reflects this. Their tagline, “a fun & safe space that’s yours as much as ours,” perfectly summarizes their commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
Unique Branding that Appeals to a Broad Spectrum
I think what makes us different is from the start we really just wanted to NOT be just another bar and I think we have achieved that. We also try our best to be as affordable as possible. And we make sure ideas are fresh and we keep them coming there are times where we have events and we’re not 100% if it will click but we still risk it not overthink and the results are always great in the end.
Club Bodega’s branding is a refreshing change from the typical club scene. Their focus on affordability, creativity, and a relaxed atmosphere sets them apart, attracting a diverse crowd, from Gen Z and millennials to established professionals. They prioritize fresh ideas, constantly evolving to keep things exciting.
We were particularly impressed by Club Bodega’s unique branding, which balances minimalist and maximalist design elements. The venue’s concrete walls, the Berlin-inspired underground techno bathroom, and the iconic IBC water tank repurposed as a DJ booth all contribute to the club’s distinctive ambiance.
Industrial Design that Inspires
Club Bodega’s industrial design showcases resourcefulness and creativity. Inspired by childhood parties in an old bodega, they transformed the space into a welcoming venue. The rugged aesthetic evokes a comfortable vibe, a contrast to the often flashy and intimidating atmosphere of other clubs. [ zoom in / click photo ]
DJ Selection: Balancing Diversity and Crowd Appeal
Club Bodega thoughtfully selects DJs, recognizing Zamboanga’s diverse musical tastes. Their guest DJs represent a wide range of genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone. They prioritize the overall experience, aiming to create a welcoming atmosphere where people can relax and enjoy the music.
Club Bodega’s dedication to diversifying Zamboanga’s nightlife is shown by hosting large events such as Luna and SOL Music Festival, featuring diverse genres beyond typical Top 40 playlists.
Future Plans: Expanding Horizons and Introducing New Genres
Club Bodega’s goals extend beyond the current scene. They plan to bring international DJs to Zamboanga, introducing new genres and broadening the musical experiences for their patrons. They hope to continue expanding their offerings, showcasing Amapiano, Afrobeat, Baile Funk, Hip Hop, House, Techno, and more. Their ultimate goal is to inspire people to explore new sounds and expand their musical preferences.
Renowned artists such as Patty Tiu, Katsy Lee, Nix Damn P!, Mark Thompson, and DJ Love have performed at Club Bodega, adding to its reputation as a hub for exceptional talent.
Club Bodega: A Hub for Inclusivity and Innovation
Club Bodega is a prominent example of inclusivity and innovation in Zamboanga. Their commitment to diversity, unique branding, and innovative approach to DJ selection have made them a beloved destination for both locals and visitors. Their future plans to bring international DJs and introduce new genres further solidify their position as a trendsetter.
Club Bodega is more than just a club; it’s a community, a gathering place, a celebration of individuality and self-expression. In a world that often divides, Club Bodega unites, creating a space where everyone feels valued. As they continue to grow, Club Bodega is poised to remain a beacon of inclusivity and innovation for years to come.
Through our interactions with Reiza, Alexia, Allen, and the Club Bodega team, we gained a deep appreciation for their dedication to creating a welcoming space where everyone feels celebrated and empowered to be themselves.
CONTEXT / INTERVIEW WITH REIZA
- As a marketing strategy, how do you cater to Gen Z, millennials, and an ever-evolving demographic, despite the different cultures, religions, and dialects in Zamboanga City?
- What makes Bodega’s branding unique, and how does it appeal to your target market?
- The industrial design of Bodega is often praised for its innovation and aesthetics. Can you provide insights into the thought process and creative inspiration behind the venue’s design?
- How do you select the DJs and guest DJs that perform at Bodega? What criteria do you consider?
- What are your plans for the future of Bodega’s DJ lineup? Are there any specific DJs or genres that you would like to bring to the club?
That’s actually the beauty of it. Zamboanga is such a diverse city, and we wanted to create a space that not only embraces the differences of the people living in it but celebrates them. Just people coming, having pure fun, and no judgments. We need more of that, not only in the nightlife industry but everywhere!
Our tagline is “a fun & safe space that’s yours as much as ours,” which is the backbone of the small community we’ve built. I think it came from that, and it stuck. Another tagline we always use is “Club Bodega, always giving you the escape you deserve.” We just really wanted to give people that, you know? A common place for all to just be themselves and enjoy, no matter their background. We just really want everyone to have a great time while in Club Bodega. BDG energy is truly different. The respect for the place and the people is amazing.
To be completely honest, we don’t really have a strict or one-page marketing strategy. We just go with whatever we feel will flow with our vision as a collective and as a group. We all have takes on every minor detail; we talk it out, which makes the outcome a lot better because truly, four brains are better than one. And at the end of the day, we just have fun with it.
I think what makes us different is that from the start, we really just wanted to NOT be just another bar, and I think we have achieved that. We also try our best to be as affordable as possible. And we make sure ideas are fresh and keep them coming. There are times where we have events and we’re not 100% if it will click, but we still risk it, not overthink it, and the results are always great in the end.
For the industrial design of the place, it’s actually a funny childhood story. We started drinking and hosting parties in our old bodega as teenagers, which led to the name Club Bodega, and from there, we just stuck with it. Our mood board during building this space was more on the rugged side; it has to look like a bodega, and we worked from there. We wanted it to be just very chill, and we wanted people to come inside and feel homey and comfortable—a space that’s not too flashy and not intimidating at the same time. We also wanted to look different. At the same time, we were also on a tight budget as young entrepreneurs. We were underdogs, and we still are actually. So it made sense to make it look like a bodega with our budget. Inspiration is everywhere, in our everyday lives, Pinterest, our travels, bars we go to, people we talk to, films we watch. You just gotta look and take things in, and you’ll get inspiration.
We’re a bit picky with our guest DJs, and Zamboanga is such a tough crowd to be honest, but we don’t really have a one-list criteria or preference on selecting our guest DJs. We do try to be as diverse as possible. We get artists we really love, and if we love their sound, we’ll book them. Other times, we just know that our crowd will love and enjoy their sound, so we get them as well. As long as people have fun, then we’re happy.
For future DJs, we are hoping to start getting international ones. Logistically, it will be kind of hard, but I believe we can do it one day, soon maybe in 2024. We love keeping it fresh and new, so hopefully, that’s something we can do soon. We’d love to continue and keep introducing new genres to Zamboanga like Amapiano, Afrobeat, Baile Funk, Hip Hop, House, Techno, and more. We just want more people to be open to exploring new and good music and not to just stick with what they know or what they usually hear.
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