Manilla has one of the best nightlife in Asia for several reasons:
- Party atmosphere:
Filipinos are famous for their fun and outgoing personalities. They love to drink, to dance, to sing, and to play music. Clubs in Manila are rarely uptight or boring, and dress codes are almost never implemented. The ambiance can get really wild, especially in the more local venues with fewer expats (in Quezon City for instance).
- Cheap prices for alcohol, entrance fees, and taxis:
Even high-end nightclubs will only charge a 10$ entrance with 2 strong drinks included. You can easily get yourself drunk for 30 dollars in Manila, which is the price for one cocktail in some bars in Singapore.
Filipinos are famous for their fun and outgoing personalities. They love to drink, to dance, to sing, and to play music. Clubs in Manila are rarely uptight or boring, and dress codes are almost never implemented. The ambiance can get really wild, especially in the more local venues with fewer expats (in Quezon City for instance).
- Cheap prices for alcohol, entrance fees, and taxis:
Even high-end nightclubs will only charge a 10$ entrance with 2 strong drinks included. You can easily get yourself drunk for 30 dollars in Manila, which is the price for one cocktail in some bars in Singapore.
- Foreigner-friendly:
English is spoken everywhere in Manila, even by security guards or taxis.
English is spoken everywhere in Manila, even by security guards or taxis.
- Rather easy to meet pretty girls that are not prostitutes
While prostitution is big in Manila with several red-light districts, you also have a great dating and flirting scene with normal local girls.
- Clubs and bars open late and every day:
While prostitution is big in Manila with several red-light districts, you also have a great dating and flirting scene with normal local girls.
- Clubs and bars open late and every day:
You can go out any night of the week in Manila, you'll always find a crowded bar or nightclub. Also, there are no real curfews: Many clubs close at 6am, a few keep going until 8am.
There are a few negative sides about Manila though. The city is still developing and you won't see the kind of sophisticated bars and clubs as you would in Singapore, Bangkok or even Jakarta.
Hotels are usually a bit more expensive than elsewhere in Southeast Asia and their quality is average. The internet is terrible, even when advertised as being fast. During the day, you may spend a lot of time in traffic (not as much as in Jakarta anyway). There is a metro system but it is packed and hot. The food is not great unless you are a fan of junk food/fast-food chains.
Finally, security is an issue but it is quite exaggerated in my opinion. As long as you stay in the safest neighborhoods (like Makati) and use reputable taxi companies, you are not particularly at risk.
If you want to know more about Manila nightlife, this review will cover everything you need to know to party hard and to have fun. Where to Party in Manila?
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Metro Manila is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. It is actually made of several cities including Manila itself, Makati, Pasay, Taguig and Quezon City. You cannot visit everything in one night, of course.
The nightlife is active in the following areas, by order of personal preference:
Makati
This is the main business district in Metro Manila and it is home to many expatriates. Within Makati, you should head to the subdistrict of Poblacion to find the most happening bars and clubs.
Not far from there, on P Burgos Street, the nightlife is much seedier. This is a red-light district area full of gogo bars, freelancers and brothels.
The hotels I recommend near Makati nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'M Hotel - US$100/night
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1898 Hotel Colonia En Las Filipinas - US$60/night
⭐⭐Green Suites Makati - US$30/night
This is the main business district in Metro Manila and it is home to many expatriates. Within Makati, you should head to the subdistrict of Poblacion to find the most happening bars and clubs.
Not far from there, on P Burgos Street, the nightlife is much seedier. This is a red-light district area full of gogo bars, freelancers and brothels.
The hotels I recommend near Makati nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'M Hotel - US$100/night
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1898 Hotel Colonia En Las Filipinas - US$60/night
⭐⭐Green Suites Makati - US$30/night
Bonifacio Global City (BGC or The Fort)
This is a newer business district that currently competes with Makati. It is more modern and attracts younger Filipinos and expats. It is built on a grid, meaning it's easy to go from one place to another. It's probably the safest area in Metro Manila. The clubs and bars are located either in The Fort Strip or in The Palace Complex (#1 nightlife spot in Manila).
Accommodation is hard to find in BGC, especially in the budget segment. The available hotels near the nightlife are all quite expensive, for instance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shangri-La at the Fort - US$250/night (it has a cool hidden bar inside called the back room)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seda Bonifacio Global City - US$150/night
This is a newer business district that currently competes with Makati. It is more modern and attracts younger Filipinos and expats. It is built on a grid, meaning it's easy to go from one place to another. It's probably the safest area in Metro Manila. The clubs and bars are located either in The Fort Strip or in The Palace Complex (#1 nightlife spot in Manila).
Accommodation is hard to find in BGC, especially in the budget segment. The available hotels near the nightlife are all quite expensive, for instance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shangri-La at the Fort - US$250/night (it has a cool hidden bar inside called the back room)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seda Bonifacio Global City - US$150/night
Ermita/Malate
These are two districts of Manila located next to each other near the Manila Bay. They attract budget travelers, backpackers, tourists and Koreans/Japanese businessmen. It is also where most government buildings are. The area can be considered a red-light district with its Korean-style karaokes and its pubs with freelance prostitutes. You also have some street prostitution and a few popular expat bars. For partying, go to Adriatico and nearby streets.
The hotels I recommend near Ermita/Malate nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pan Pacific Manila - US$170/night
⭐⭐⭐ Hop Inn Hotel Ermita - US$40/night
These are two districts of Manila located next to each other near the Manila Bay. They attract budget travelers, backpackers, tourists and Koreans/Japanese businessmen. It is also where most government buildings are. The area can be considered a red-light district with its Korean-style karaokes and its pubs with freelance prostitutes. You also have some street prostitution and a few popular expat bars. For partying, go to Adriatico and nearby streets.
The hotels I recommend near Ermita/Malate nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pan Pacific Manila - US$170/night
⭐⭐⭐ Hop Inn Hotel Ermita - US$40/night
Quezon City
It is actually the most populated city in the Philippines, before Manila. It is very authentic, mostly residential, with at least 10 good nightclubs, dozens of bars and a few karaokes/massage parlours.
The crowd is usually young and almost 100% local. Prices are low. There used to be a red light area with naked striptease but it was closed down by the Mayor a few years ago. To party, you can go to Tomas Morato Avenue, Timog Avenue, Quezon City Avenue and Cubao X (for hipsters).
The hotels I recommend near Quezon City nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Novotel Manila Araneta Center - US$110/night
⭐⭐⭐ Red Planet Aurora Boulevard - US$30/night
Secondary nightlife areas:
Pasay/Parañaque are two municipalities located around the airport in the South of Manila. That's certainly not the most recommended area, except if you are looking for sex. In particular, you have the EDSA International Entertainment Complex, a sort of smaller local version of Nana Plaza with 6 bars lined up next to each other. You also have a few bordellos and gogo bars scattered around, for instance, Universe Strip Club or Air Force One KTV.
Ortigas Business District (Metrowalk): Several local bars with live music. Fun and good-natured atmosphere.
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Filipino girls are very friendly and they are interested to meet foreigners. Most are quite religious though (Catholic), and living with their families. For this reason, one night stands and hookups are not that common unless you go to the right clubs and bars (or if you pay a sugar baby, for instance on SeekingArrangement).
A good idea is to download a few dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Badoo or Skout. Those apps work best if you are living in the Philippines or at least in Asia.
If you are only a tourist, then I would recommend the very popular FilipinoCupid instead. It can have up to 5,000 girls online, and many among them do not mind if you live abroad. Ideally, you should register on the site a few weeks before landing in Manila so you can already organize a few dates.
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It is actually the most populated city in the Philippines, before Manila. It is very authentic, mostly residential, with at least 10 good nightclubs, dozens of bars and a few karaokes/massage parlours.
The crowd is usually young and almost 100% local. Prices are low. There used to be a red light area with naked striptease but it was closed down by the Mayor a few years ago. To party, you can go to Tomas Morato Avenue, Timog Avenue, Quezon City Avenue and Cubao X (for hipsters).
The hotels I recommend near Quezon City nightlife are the following:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Novotel Manila Araneta Center - US$110/night
⭐⭐⭐ Red Planet Aurora Boulevard - US$30/night
Secondary nightlife areas:
Pasay/Parañaque are two municipalities located around the airport in the South of Manila. That's certainly not the most recommended area, except if you are looking for sex. In particular, you have the EDSA International Entertainment Complex, a sort of smaller local version of Nana Plaza with 6 bars lined up next to each other. You also have a few bordellos and gogo bars scattered around, for instance, Universe Strip Club or Air Force One KTV.
Ortigas Business District (Metrowalk): Several local bars with live music. Fun and good-natured atmosphere.
Meeting Girls in Manila
A good idea is to download a few dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Badoo or Skout. Those apps work best if you are living in the Philippines or at least in Asia.
If you are only a tourist, then I would recommend the very popular FilipinoCupid instead. It can have up to 5,000 girls online, and many among them do not mind if you live abroad. Ideally, you should register on the site a few weeks before landing in Manila so you can already organize a few dates.
Best Nightclubs in Metro Manila
I list here my favorites ones, starting with the best. I usually go clubbing with 1 or 2 persons maximum so I tend to prefer when there is a dancefloor, a nice bar area and where it is easy to meet new people.
Black Market
The current trendy club in Manila among expats and hip Filipinos. Music is anything but EDM. Lots of pretty girls but not so easy to chat with them.
XX XX and 20 20
This popular expat haunt consists of the 20 20 bar and the XX XX club. Underground vibe, with techno DJs mostly. Nice courtyard that welcomes events once in a while.
Xylo at the Palace (ex-Valkyrie)
Located in The Palace in Bonifacio Global City, it is huge and modern with a great party atmosphere. If you are new in Manila, Xylo is my first recommendation as you can meet girls easily. It is also connected to The Island Pool Club and Revel.
Cove Manila
This new luxury place features an indoor beach club and a huge nightclub. Very impressive décor and an upmarket crowd (many Koreans). It is opened just 3 nights a week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and it often has special DJs or parties.
Core Nightclub
Located in Quezon City, about 30 minutes from Makati without traffic, Core is worth a visit if you want to experience another side of Manila nightlife: Younger, cheaper and probably crazier. In Quezon City, you can also check URBN QC and Guilly's.
Revel
Revel is crowded with 30+ years old executives and expats. It could be a fantastic club but there is almost no dancefloor so unless you book a sofa, you don't really feel comfortable. It is connected to Valkyrie and The Pool Club. Easy for meeting girls.
ZZYZX
This little club in Malate is packed every night of the week. Though targeting mostly Koreans, it is still one of my favorite places to party in Manila, especially on weekdays. You have a lot of pretty girls but 90% of them are freelance prostitutes.
URBN
URBN is more like a pub turned nightclub after midnight. Located next to the Fort Strip, it is considered to be a pick-up joint by many expats.
Clubs usually close around 5am-6am. If you want to keep going after that, you can go to LA Café (open 24-hour with many freelance prostitutes) or Bronx in P Burgos Street. (also a bar with working girls).
Best Bars in Metro Manila
In Poblacion, there are dozens of nice bars, walking distance to each other. The current best ones are Ms Gee, Boogie, NoKal, and Pura Vida.
In BGC, check the bars in The Fort (Early Night?, Bank Bar, The Keg, Draft) or in the Forbes Town Center (Tipsy Pig and several others).
Manila is one of the best places in Southeast Asia for live music. You can listen to any genre in hundreds of bars, but these are the current top spots:
Rock Music: Craft, The Brewery @ The Palace, Handlebar
Oldies/Retro: Strumm's
Indie Rock/Acoustic: 12 Monkeys, Saguijo, Route 196
Jazz, World Music, Reggae: Tago
- P Burgos Street in Makati: This is a rather colorful street, with mostly gogo bars, massage parlours and street prostitution.
- EDSA Entertainment Complex in Pasay: A similar, yet cheaper alternative to Burgos
- Malate/Ermita: A mix of everything from street prostitutes, Korean KTVs, spas and freelance bars
There are also a few independent massage parlours scattered around in the city. The most famous one is probably Flight 168, which is attached to the KTV Air Force One. Several services are included there for a price starting 90$. Some cheaper alternatives exist such as Starfleet in Parañaque (Nuru massage), or Kremlin, Wilderness and Pegasus on Quezon Avenue (Quezon City).
In the past 10 years, the local governments of some municipalities have put pressure on venue owners in an attempt to curb prostitution. This can be seen in Malate/Ermita and Quezon City where most gogo bars and naughty massage parlours have shut down. Police raids are rather common in such establishments.
In terms of striptease, there is only one place full nudity in Manila. It is called Universe and it is located in Pasay. Horizon Gentleman's VIP Club has real pole dancing shows, Las-Vegas style, but the girls don't strip naked.
Some gogo bars in Burgos street are hotter than others. In particular, Bottoms Bar where ladies' drinks can create miracles and make bras disappear.
Karaoke and Digital KTV
Popular family karaokes in Manila include CenterStage (Pasay and Makati) or the chain Music 21 (several locations).
If you are more interested in sexy karaokes with hostesses and hot lady companions, most of them are in Ermita/Malate (Korean and Japanese). You also have a few in Burgos Street (Makati), in Quezon City and around the airport.
In Ermita/Malate, you can just walk on Adriatico, Mabini, Bocobos and Remedios street and you'll see a lot of them with girls waiting outside in sexy dresses.
In general, you pay an entrance fee of 500PHP. This gives you access to free booze and food for a certain amount of time in the common area. The common area is quite similar to any bar with hostesses/bar girls except that you can sing. There might be a show sometimes (just singing). You can call the girl you like, chat with her and buy her ladies' drinks. You can also get some private time with her in a room, but this generally does not include anything sexual. The girl will usually give you her phone number and you can meet her outside for lunch or dinner. What happens next is just between you and her.