ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Café 360º in Rizal

I’ve been meaning to visit ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Cafe 360º for a while now. This special events place located in my husband’s hometown of Binangonan has become one of the most popular spots on social media this past year because of the stunning views it offers. The relatively new café perched on a hill offers a 360º view of Laguna Lake, Sierra Madre Mountains, Pililla Windmills, sunset, moon, and city lights.

However, I’ve been wary of visiting because I heard it gets fully booked especially during weekends. That’s not surprising as it’s one of the few art galleries/museums that has been able to operate since the pandemic started, since Rizal is located in an MGCQ area. The cafe offers open-air dining, which feels much safer compared to dining in indoor restaurants these days.

Anyway, I finally got to check it out during a weekday visit with Angono-based friend Celine and I understand what the hype is all about. With all the prohibitive travel restrictions and the lack of scenic places in Metro Manila, this overlooking café offers a refreshing view that will give you that distinct travel vibe without being too far from the metro. The ride going there is pretty fun too.

ArtSector Gallery

ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Café 360º is located inside Eastridge Village, a private subdivision that also contains Thunderbird Casino & Resorts Binangonan and the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs.

The entire space was designed by Antonio “Tony” Leaños, a multi-awarded visual artist and the same architect behind Pinto Art Museum, which is widely considered one of the must photogenic museums in the metro. With its clean lines, whitewashed look and open-air balconies, ArtSector has a similar aesthetic to the Mediterranean-inspired facade as Pinto.

In terms of size, ArtSector is much smaller than Pinto Art Museum and displays fewer artwork pieces. It mainly serves as an events place for weddings, debuts, and special events, thus giving casual visitors some nice photo opportunities in and out of the main building.

The place is ideal for couples out on dates or small groups of friends who just want to enjoy a meal, drinks, photo ops, admire some modern artwork, and enjoy refreshing views away from the city for the weekend.

Chimney Café

Chimney Café serves both hot and iced brewed coffee, Cafe americano, Cappucino , Latte, and chocolate from P99 to P225 each, as well as tea and soft drinks.

Mainstream local beers (San Miguel Light, Tiger Light, San Mig Apple and San Mig Pale Pilsen in can) cost P79 – P89 each. They also have cocktails anbd mocktails for P159 each), mocktails and wine (Chardonay, Merlot, Muscato) P299 per glass or P995 per bottle)

Their food changes depending on the month. Their January to Feb menu had a range of soups, salad, sandwiches, Pizza and Pasta, appetizers and some main dishes. Some of the more interesting sounding dishes were the Philly Cheese Sandwich (P225), Pizza Margherita (P299), Seafood Aglio (P259), Lemon Grass Wings (P199) and Porchetta (P259). They also have pancit canton (P99), Pork Barbecue (P59/pc), Tapsilog (P199) and 6″ Solo Pizza slice for P99.

ArtSector Levels

ArtSector has five main levels. The 1st level, where you can park and enter, contains a small front rock garden with cactus and agave, and entrance rock with stairs.

The 2nd level contains an entrance balcony, Gallery 1 and the bar counters where you can order food and drinks.

This leads to the main dining area and Gallery 2, with a view of a Big Rock w/ a waterfall like fountain. The second level also contains an outdoor rock garden, Terraces at the Rock Balcony, Rock Balcony, as well as a Private Room w/ bathroom, for meetings and events.

The 3rd level has a small side balcony, Fireplace, Gallery 3, Gallery 4 and several dining areas spread about the space.

The 4th level is the main outdoor roof deck facing Antenna Hill and Laguna Lake.

A stone step stairs leads up to the 5th Level, which offers a 360 degree view of the landscape.

Tips for visitors

We planned our visited on a weekday, near opening time. While it was still pretty hot outdoors when we first arrived, the benefit is that we got to enjoy the place mostly ourselves. I’ve seen photos online of the place (in pre-pandemic times) when it used to get packed, and it didn’t look very enjoyable, to be honest.

When I arrived, the cafe was empty except for a few people. It got cool and breezy enough to hang out outside around 3:30 to 4. We decided to leave once more larger groups started trickling in around 4:30 to 5 pm for sunset views.

It’s really best to visit during weekdays to avoid long waiting times. According to the parking attendant on duty, the place gets fully booked very quickly during Saturdays and Sundays and parking can be problematic, with a line of cars snaking in just to get in to the parking area. When the café is full, the establishment stops accepting guests and will only new guests when others leave. There’s a shaded waiting area with monobloc chairs near the parking area where people can wait.

All visitors need to leave an I.D. with the subdivision guard and show their ArtSector stamp to claim their ID back. If you don’t have a stamp, you will still have to pay a village fee of P200.

According to museum proprietors, Eastridge subdivision is now strict with walk-in guests because some guests say they are going to ArtSector but instead only stay in the lots in front and leave their trash behind. For motorcycle riders, take note that village guards are strict with motors with open mufflers.

Another tip for riders. There are 2 entrances to the village that you can pass. If you’re coming from Angono, you pass Col. Guido (near Scrapyard Cafe) going up. Once you reach the Eastridge Guardhouse, turn right on the 1st street to Artsector, opposite from Falcon Crest.

An alternative route if you’re coming from Antipolo is to pass through Manuel L. Quezon Extension to reach the back subdivision gate which is very near the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs. While some parts of the road were under construction, I found this route more scenic and more pleasant because it was not as congested as the main highway that passes through Cainta and Taytay. The incline going up is also not as steep as the Angono route.

Passing the back entrance also gives you a chance to pass through the peaceful subdivision longer to get to the cafe. You’ll pass by signage leading to Thunderbird Resorts, a road tunnel and wide pine tree-lined roads.

New Normal Guidelines

• No mask/face shield , no entry
• Temp check, 1 meter social distancing
• Guests are asked to throw their own trash
• The cafe is currently self-service. Guests should claim their packed food at Bar 2
• During MGCQ, no kids are allowed

General Guidelines

• Not following gallery rules can get you banned from ArtSector (especially for those who cause a disturbance to other guests)
• ArtSector may not be suitable for small children due to its height and balconies.
• Parents or guardians are required to look after their children
• No climbing of windows & walls (ArtSector is not liable for any casualties or accidents)
• Please do not touch the paintings/artworks.
• No running, jumping, stomping and shouting.
• No big bags inside. No changing of clothes.
• No big tripods, no bringing of props. They have special photoshoot rates (and outside photographer with corkage)
• No pets inside. They do allow small pups below 3 kilos, w/ diaper who can fit inside a dog bag carrier on WEDNESDAY ONLY & owners need to sign an agreement
• Do not bring outside food and drinks inside. A 30% CORKAGE fee applies (300 each corkage for cake, wine, flowers, drone..)
• No smoking SMOKING in all areas.
• Do not leave your things/food unattended. ArtSector is NOT accountable for losses inside the premises & in your vehicles.
• Guests can only park around ArtSector (except at the back). They ask visitors not to block the driveway of neighbors.

Gallery hours

• Open from Tuesday to Sunday: 1:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Closed on Mondays for Private Events.

Ticket prices

• Walk-in only. No reservations. First come, first served.
• P200 each – regular rate
• P225 each- holidays

Photoshoots & Special Events

• Outdoors Events Fee: Php 10,800, 1st 5pax + 500 per head (in excess of 5 pax), 5 hours, in excess of 5 hours additional P1500
• Special Event Fee (available on Mondays only)
• Mondays: Php 19,800 1st 5pax + 500 per head (in excess of 5 pax), 5 hours, in excess of 5 hours P1500 for 5pax
• (Tue-Wed-Thur: for approval, Php 28,800 1st 5 pax + 500 per head)
• (All Areas not available on F-S-Sun & Holidays)
• With Bond: Refundable if there is no damage in ArtSector (50% of events fee or lower if no props)
• Food from menu OR if outside food CORKAGE 30% up
• CORKAGE if with outside photographer/videographer
• If there are props, big tripod, lighting, photographer, changing of clothes = photoshoot rate

Address and contact info

ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Cafe 360 is located in Lot 18 Block 178 Eastridge Executive Village, Col. Guido Rd, Tayuman, Binangonan, Rizal. It’s near Thunderbird Resorts and Casino, 30 minutes from Pinto Art Museum and 15 minutes from Mission Hills Antipolo.

How to get to Art Sector Gallery and Chimney Cafe

There are 2 guardhouses in Eastridge

• If coming from Angono, when you reach the Eastridge guardhouse, turn right on the 1st street to Artsector, opposite Falcon Crest.
• If coming from Antipolo, after entering through the Eastridge guardhouse, pass the Thunderbird sign and go straight through the tunnel until the zigzag road. Turn left when you see ArtSector sign opposite Falcon Crest and go straight to a white house.

By public transportation

• Shuttle to Thunderbird, then taxi, Grab or Angkas app to ArtSector.
• UV Express from Megamall or Starmall Crossing going to Binangonan or Antipolo or Angono (SM)
• To Scrapyard beside 7/11 Angono corner Col Guido Road, ride a trike to ArtSector
  -trike from Antipolo church: P 150
  -trike from Pinto Art Museum, P 250
  -Grab from Mission Hills Antipolo P 200 plus

By private transportation

• From Binangonan: Take Quarry Road, turn left to Eastridge Village, enter guard house, go through tunnel up to zigzag road then turn left before Perlie’s Restaurant, then go straight to ArtSector.
• From Antipolo: Take Mahabang Parang Angono Road, turn right to Eastridge Village, go through tunnel up to zigzag road then turn left before Perlie’s Restaurant, then go straight to ArtSector.
• From Angono: Take Col. Guido Road to Eastridge Village, turn right after Perlie’s Restaurant, than straight to ArtSector.