The Philippines is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches, unique landscapes, and best of all, a fun-loving culture and lively nightlife scenes. Even in the smallest of villages, there will be something going on, even if it’s just a makeshift karaoke setup at the town’s lone gas station. Whether I was stomping to techno in a Metro Manila nightclub or jamming to budots with local fishermen at a night market, Philippine nightlife always delivers. All you need are a few San Migs and the company of the incredibly fun-loving Filipino people. Without further ado, here are the best places to have a good time in the Philippines, from its urban jungles to paradise beaches. Tagay!

And hey, if this post helps you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. It allows me to keep providing free travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of these links.

---

10. Iloilo City

Not many international travelers make it to this gem of Panay Island, which is a shame, as it might be my favorite big city in The Philippines. Iloilo has become one of the most progressive and modern cities in the country. It is a perfect example of old meets new, with gorgeous historic neighborhoods like Molo and Jaro coexisting alongside sleek and shiny modern districts. I loved Iloilo for its creative scene, encompassing every aspect of life from cuisine to art. This is thanks in large part to its huge university population. Naturally, this also leads to an electric nightlife scene.

A great area to experience Iloilo’s nightlife scene is along Festive Walk in Mandurriao. This walking street is lined with restaurants, street food, and a number of bars and nightclubs. This safe, modern, and clean area is a one-stop shop for a good time in Iloilo. Since Iloilo remains largely off the radar of international tourists, the prices still cater to a local crowd, making it budget-friendly for foreign travelers.

If you do find yourself in Iloilo, don’t miss out on Guimaras Island, a short 15-minute ferry ride away. It is one of the best hidden gems of the Philippines, home to stunning beaches and a fraction of the crowds you’ll find in social media darlings like Siargao and Palawan.

9. Coron

Now, onto the island vibes. Let’s kick things off with this small, beachside town that has a surprisingly fun nightlife scene. What it lacks in mega-clubs and fancy bars, it makes up for with its local hotspots and an intimate community of locals and travelers. The hub of nightlife here is located in Coron town near the port. This is the backpacker hub where most of the hostels, hotels, restaurants, and bars are located. Many of these hostels also double as bars, making them great places to meet fellow travelers to experience Coron’s nightlife with. Outpost Hostel is one of my all-time favorite hostels in the Philippines. Its rooftop pool and bar makes for an excellent place to kick off any night out in Coron.

I really enjoy the vibe of Coron. It’s not too busy, and the longer you stay on the island, the more likely it is that you’ll meet locals who make you feel at home. Everyone here is friendly and it’s inevitable to run into familiar faces on a night out. Your boat captain, your hostel receptionist, your tour guide, your tattoo artist, and so on. In my opinion, the limited number of places to go actually makes things more fun. The party condenses into one or two clubs by the end of the night, so you’ll have a good crowd to end the night. Maybe it will get redundant after weeks of being here, but since most people are only passing by for a few days, Coron’s nightlife scene is perfectly adequate for short-term travelers.

8. Angeles

The nightlife in Angeles is booming, but tends to cater to a different type of traveler. Rather than young backpackers and solo travelers, it is home to expats. The main fare in Angeles are sports bars, videoke lounges, and live music venues. Fields Avenue is a a famous entertainment district where you’ll find a high concentration of nightlife establishments. This street turns into a walking street during the nighttime hours, so it’s worth wandering around here and soaking in the electric, and often intense, energy.

Although Angeles is far from my scene, it’d be unjust to leave it off this list because it is objectively an elite nightlife hub.

7. Siquijor

Stepping foot onto Siquijor was reminiscent of being in Boracay 20 years ago, or Siargao 10 years ago. Tourism evolves quickly in the Philippines. While it brings a lot of benefits to the economy, a selfish part of me always misses when the islands felt a little more idyllic and under-the-radar. Siquijor, known as the Witches Island and once a taboo among Filipinos for its deep-rooted mysticism and shamanism, seems to be trending among foreigners in the same direction as Siargao.

For now, most of the tourism is limited to San Juan, about 15 minutes away from Siquijor’s port. Here is where you’ll find the majority of bars. The concentrated nightlife scene makes it easy to have a fun night out here. I’d recommend catching a sunset drink at Coco Rico or Rum Bar, then popping over to Baha Ba’r for dinner, live music, and drinks. Afterwards, head back towards Coco Rico, The Wave, or Wakanda for a lively atmosphere. JJ’s Backpacker Village tends to be where most people go to keep the party going and hit the dance floor. Like Coron, the small but condensed nightlife scene makes it easy to get to know everyone on the island fairly quickly.

Mad Monkey Siquijor is an excellent place to stay, although further away from the nightlife hub of San Juan.

6. Panglao Beach

Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and adorable — or ugly, your call — tarsiers have attracted people from all over the world to this hub smack dab in the center of the Visayas Islands. Alongside Bohol’s rise in popularity, Panglao, a smaller island just off the coast of Bohol has become a destination of its own. The main tourist hub of Panglao lies along the stunning white sand beach of Alona. It almost feels like a mini-Boracay along this mile-long strip of beach. The energy gets particularly vibrant around sunset, when live music starts to fill the air and San Miguels start getting passed around between friends.

Staying at Mad Monkey Panglao or the newly-opened Partylandia Hostel would be the best option for travelers looking to meet people to hit the bars with.

5. Cebu

Cebu City itself isn’t much of a draw to travelers, but is an inevitable stopping point for anyone backpacking through the Visayas. As the second-largest city in the Philippines, it naturally has an energetic local scene of its own. However, as the second-busiest airport, it also brings in tons of travelers, even if it is for nothing more than a one-night layover en route to the Visayas’ more tropical destinations. Might as well put that one night to good use, hey?

Cebu has a varied nightlife scene, and one that is growing rapidly. Trendy bars and speakeasies are popping up across the city. Before long, Cebu might give Metro Manila a run for its money as the top nightlife destination of the Philippines. Mango Avenue is a classic destination lined with karaoke and sports bar type establishments, while Cebu’s IT Park has become the go-to for young professionals and trendy travelers.

If you have a chance, don’t miss out on Cebu’s Sinulog Festival. It is the largest festival in the Philippines, and one of the wildest times out there. It is akin to Brazil’s Carnaval, a week-long “religious” festival that is highlighted by ear-splitting drums, extravagant costumes, non-stop dancing, and lots and lots of drinking. Although it can be chaotic and overwhelming, it is the liveliest time to be in Cebu, and a must for anyone looking to party Filipino style.

4. El Nido

El Nido is much more than its otherworldly landscapes and breathtaking beaches. It is also a bumpin’ good time, home to a vibrant nightlife scene. Even the island-hopping tours that one can embark on during the day can quickly turn into a boozy good time. After sunset, the restaurants and bars start to fill up and naturally, so do the dance floors. As soon as the music starts spinning, Filipinos will stampede the dance floor. The ball is in your court to match their energy.

Frendz Hostel is the undisputed best place to stay in El Nido, but tends to be booked up weeks or even months in advance during the high season. If you don’t mind staying outside of El Nido beach, then Maya Hostel is another excellent choice about a 15-minute walk away, and within minutes of the quieter, but still beautiful, Corong Corong Beach.

For me, an ideal night out would be too watch the sunset from La Plage on Corong Corong Beach. They have a DJ that spins some fun, tribal beats for their sunset session. Afterwards, head to El Nido Beach to have a few drinks at Tribu Bar, Yacht Wreck Bar, or whatever else catches your eye. Treehouse and Ap Kala are a little fancier, but both are gorgeous and have solid happy hour deals. Once you’ve had your fill, hit up one of the nightclubs along Hama Street. Amigos is popular with backpackers. Sava Bar is more upscale, but still a good vibe, especially on the weekends when they have a more Latin and Tribal house playlist. I don’t have a personal preference regarding the nightclubs. Just find one that has the music and vibe you’re looking for, and dance the night away.

3. Siargao

Ahh, Siargao. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Siargao, especially as it continues to skyrocket in popularity. The surf haven of Siargao Island is among South East Asia’s current backpacker hotspots. While I’m personally not the biggest fan of Siargao, it is hard to deny that it is one of the best places to party in the Philippines. Everyone knows where to party on any given night, as the bars seemingly take turns hosting the nightly party, guaranteeing a jam-packed dance floor no matter where or what.

Life is simple in Siargao. It’s easy to see why it has attracted people from far and wide. Surf and swim during the day, hit up the Afam Bridge for sunset vibes, and then party the night away. You can check my travel guide to Siargao here for a complete guide on nightlife and where to find the party on any given night of the week.

2. Boracay

As tried-and-true as a travel destination can get, you know what you’re signing up for when you head to Boracay. It may be tacky, crowded, and expensive, but I just keep finding myself back to Boracay time and time again. This paradise island knows how to have a good time, and its nightlife scene is ever-evolving. I mean, this tiny island even has its own brewery now, and I highly recommend checking that out if you want a break from the San Miguel and Red Horse lifestyle.

There are so many beachside bars along Boracay’s White Beach and it is hard to go wrong. Typically, I’ll grab sunset drinks from one of the beach clubs on Station One, like Club Paraw, Mai Tai, or Cafe Got Soul. After dinner, pop over to Exit Bar. Finally, Epic Bar is where you’ll want to be to go dancing. Om Bar is another option if Epic Bar is too packed. Looking for an afterparty? Most people will head to Club Galaxy to keep the night going.

And hey, why limit yourself to the nighttime? Boracay also has party boats and booze cruises to kick off the party during the day. It’s a nonstop party on this stunning paradise island, still the premier beachside party destination in the Philippines.

1. Metro Manila

Metro Manila remains the undisputed hub of Philippine nightlife. Everything can be found in the sprawling Philippine capital city. I’ve spent months living in Manila, and though it has many, many things to complain about, the dining and nightlife scene is far from one of them.

For backpackers and international travelers, the best area to stay in would be in Makati’s Poblacion neighborhood. The nightlife scene in Manila centers heavily around this neighborhood, and you can check out my complete guide to Makati’s nightlife scene here. For the tl;dr, kick things off at The Spirits Library or Run Rabbit Run for a moody atmosphere, artisanal cocktail, and groovy live music. Head over to Sanctuary to catch a rooftop vibe, or move into one of the Philippine folklore themed bars like Agimat at Ugat or Apothecary.

Next up, the nightclubs. Octopus is a techno club that can rival those in Europe. Apotheka is another fun, techno club with a smaller, more intimate dance floor if you are looking for a grimy, rave setting. New places are popping up all the time in Makati, and other nightlife districts in Metro Manila are on the rise. Bonifacio Global City has its fair share of upscale cocktail bars, my favorite being Hotel Bar. Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City is a great place to go for a much more local crowd. In Metro Manila, you have got options, and in the Philippines, you will have a roarin’ good time.

More on the Philippines

• Backpacker’s Crash Course Guide to the Philippines
• One Month Philippines Backpacking Itinerary
• The Ultimate Guide to Nightlife in Manila
• The Ultimate Guide to Nightlife in Boracay