As Route 196 closes down, bands and musicians pay tribute to the QC bar

Route 196's closure certainly dealt a huge blow to the local music scene.

The live music spot on Katipunan Avenue Extension in Quezon City became something of a home for bands, musicians, and artists — of different music genres, at that. It was where they played their songs, tried out new ones, hung out with each other, and mingled with their fans.

On social media, musicians paid tribute to the bar that cradled the eksena.

"Goodnight route," Raymond Marasigan began on Twitter. "Thank you for the waves. Catch you on the next swell."

goodnite route??
thank you for the waves????????‍??
catch you on the next swell?? https://t.co/TgUzk3Kcmg

— Raymund Marasigan (@raymsmercygun) August 23, 2020

Meanwhile, Cheats vocalist Saab Magalona retweeted Route's farewell, said it was heartbreaking, and used the hashtag #ThankYouRoute.

Heartbreaking ???? #ThankYouRoute196 https://t.co/Fczt8IwZPa

— Saab (@saabmagalona) August 23, 2020

In her later tweets, she posted photos from Cheats' Route gigs and said, "I know we'll meet again."

Lots of really good @cheatsmusic memories too. I know we’ll meet again, @route196rocks ?? pic.twitter.com/UQBFjY5bWz

— Saab (@saabmagalona) August 23, 2020

"Bahay namin ang Route," Itchyworms said, tweeting the tribute video created by Also Guerrero.

Bahay namin ang @route196rocks.
(Video by @Alco_Guerrero)#ThankYouRoute196 #OPMlivesHere pic.twitter.com/2Eo3wAeCkc

— The Itchyworms (@theitchyworms) August 24, 2020

Nicole Sarmiento of Red Ninja Productions meanwhile made a bittersweet joke that would touch anybody who frequented Route.

"#AllRoadsLeadtoRoute but parked in Mcdo. Hahaha," she wrote, thanking Route 196 as well as the McDonalds branch on Katipunan Extension which became the unofficial parking lot of the bar.

#AllRoadsLeadToRoute but parked in Mcdo. Hahaha. #thankyouroute196 and McDo Katip extensión https://t.co/MJyv6BRyxM

— Nicole Sarmiento (@neekelita) August 24, 2020

Ebe Dancel meanwhile thanked the bar "for giving musicians like myself shelter. You and I will seee each other again."

"Just good night, never goodbye," he added.

Only fond memories. @route196rocks thank you for giving musicians like myself shelter. You and I will see each other again. Just goodnight, never goodbye

— Ebe Dancel (@ebedancel) August 23, 2020

"This is breaking my heart," Quark Henares meanwhile tweeted. "Route 196 was home to me."

This is breaking my heart. @route196rocks was a home to me ???? Thanks to @jpbalboa and co. for building it, and to @jugsjugsjugs @itchykel @sultada @tmacvibe and team for carrying the torch. OPM owes you more than you will ever know. https://t.co/dAT72lsG3d

— Quark Henares (@quarkhenares) August 23, 2020

Before it became a hotspot for live music, Route 196 was a small quiet space where acoustic and folk music could be enjoyed. In 2006, a group of Pinoy Rock fans turned it into a bar that served good food and good music. Later on, members of Itchyworms bought the bar and not only continued but grew it to become the legendary bar that it is.

Route is only the latest among establishments that announced closure, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, Cubao favorite Today x Future and San Juan establishment Moksha announced they were permanently shutting down. It was followed by Poblacion faves Polilya and NoKal followed. — LA, GMA News