About Art Bar
Art Bar is a Philippine specialty retailer of art materials, stationery, craft supplies, and creative tools. It operates as a dedicated retail concept under National Book Store, one of the country’s largest bookstore and office supply chains. Art Bar caters to professional artists, students, hobbyists, designers, architects, crafters, and journaling enthusiasts by offering a curated selection of local and imported art brands that are often unavailable in standard bookstores.1
In addition to its physical stores across the Philippines, Art Bar sells through major e-commerce platforms, including Lazada Philippines, where it is listed in the Stationery, Craft & Gift Cards category.2
History
Art Bar was established as the dedicated art and creative supplies division of National Book Store to address the growing demand for higher-end art materials beyond traditional school and office supplies.
Unlike a typical bookstore, Art Bar focuses exclusively on creative products, ranging from beginner-friendly supplies to professional-grade materials. Over time, it expanded into several major shopping malls throughout Metro Manila and other Philippine cities, becoming one of the country’s best-known specialty art retailers.3
Business Model
Art Bar operates as a specialty retailer rather than a manufacturer. Instead of producing its own products, it distributes and sells merchandise from numerous international and local brands, including:
- Fine art materials
- Drawing and sketching supplies
- Painting equipment
- Calligraphy tools
- Graphic design materials
- Crafting supplies
- Journals and planners
- Premium stationery
- Technical drawing instruments
- Canvas and paper products
Its product assortment ranges from affordable student supplies to premium professional-grade products.
Product Categories
Art Bar’s catalog typically includes:
Traditional Art
- Acrylic paints
- Watercolors
- Gouache
- Oil paints
- Brushes
- Palettes
- Easels
- Canvases
Drawing
- Graphite pencils
- Colored pencils
- Charcoal
- Pastels
- Fineliners
- Technical pens
- Sketchbooks
Craft Supplies
- Craft knives
- Cutting mats
- Glue
- Adhesives
- Modeling clay
- Sculpting tools
- Decorative paper
Stationery
- Fountain pens
- Brush pens
- Highlighters
- Journals
- Notebooks
- Planners
- Stickers
- Washi tape
Design & Architecture
- Technical drawing tools
- Rulers
- Triangles
- Templates
- Marker paper
- Layout pads
DIY & Hobby
- Scrapbooking materials
- Calligraphy supplies
- Card making
- Decorative accessories
These categories may vary by branch and online inventory.
Target Market
Art Bar serves a broad creative community, including:
- Professional artists
- Fine arts students
- Architecture students
- Interior designers
- Graphic designers
- Illustrators
- Hobbyists
- Calligraphy enthusiasts
- Bullet journal users
- Crafters
- Teachers
- Schools
Retail Presence
Art Bar operates standalone specialty stores, many of which are located adjacent to or within National Book Store branches. Flagship and larger branches are known for carrying a wider assortment of imported brands and specialty supplies than typical bookstore locations.4
Besides physical stores, Art Bar maintains official online storefronts on major Philippine e-commerce marketplaces, making its inventory available nationwide.3
Online Presence
Art Bar products are available through:
- Physical retail stores
- Official Lazada store
- Other Philippine online marketplaces
The Lazada store offers products such as:
- Papers
- Sketchbooks
- Pens
- Paints
- Brushes
- Adhesives
- Filing supplies
- Craft materials
- School supplies
Inventory is updated according to product availability and supplier stock.3
Reputation
Art Bar has developed a reputation among Filipino artists and stationery enthusiasts for:
- Carrying imported brands that are difficult to find elsewhere
- Offering a broader selection than general bookstores
- Stocking both beginner and professional-grade supplies
- Providing a one-stop destination for art and craft materials
The retailer is frequently recommended in Philippine stationery and art communities as one of the country’s leading specialty art supply stores.
Significance
Art Bar has contributed to the accessibility of specialized art supplies in the Philippines by making international brands more readily available through both physical stores and online shopping platforms. Its presence has supported artists, students, educators, and creative professionals seeking materials beyond standard school supplies.
See also
- National Book Store
- Lazada
- Stationery
- Art materials
- Craft supplies
- Calligraphy
- Bullet journaling
References
- An arts and crafts paradise in Serendra: Art Bar | Philippine Primer
- Art Bar – Quezon Avenue, Manila, Philippines – Reviews, Ratings, Tips and Why You Should Go – Wanderlog
- Buy Art Bar Filing & Document Presentation for sale online | Lazada Philippines
- Art Bar – Quezon Avenue, Manila, Philippines – Reviews, Ratings, Tips and Why You Should Go – Wanderlog
