Oh, Manila. One can call it the bane of beach-going backpackers in South East Asia, nothing more than obstruction en route to beachside San Miguels and piña coladas in paradise. When a country boasts the otherworldly beaches of El Nido, the surf breaks of Siargao, and the peaceful cordilleras of Northern Luzon, why spend any time at all in the smoggy mayhem of Manila? Many travelers avoid Manila altogether, or at the very least, spend little more than a day or two as a layover, a necessary evil that burdens a country with one major international airport. Maybe two if you count Cebu, but if you don’t love Manila, you probably won’t love Cebu either.

However, let’s not write off Manila just yet. What Manila may lack in must-see attractions or paradise beaches, it makes up for with a pulsating nightlife scene. It is the best place to start your trip to the Philippines off on the right foot, or end it with a bang.

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Manila Nightlife Guide: The Best Party Neighborhoods

Wondering where to party in Manila? Buckle up. Manila is a massive city, and one of the biggest mistakes travelers make is choosing the wrong area to stay in. Pulling up Hostelworld or Booking and getting hit with the accommodation map of Metro Manila is nothing short of overwhelming. Officially, sixteen cities make up Metro Manila, and the population estimates range from anywhere between 12 to 20 million people. Even for us Filipinos, it is a lot. Choosing a place to stay can make or break your time in Manila.

For travelers with more money to spend, one might opt for Bonifacio Global City, or BGC, and its walkable, clean, and modern retail district. Interested in history? Perhaps the Intramuros Walled City is where to be, close to much of Manila’s cultural attractions, from museums to the world’s oldest Chinatown in Binondo. However, this is a nightlife guide. I won’t beat around the bush any longer. If you are looking to have a good time, then Makati, specifically the neighborhood of Poblacion, is where you will want to be.

Nightlife is scattered throughout the city, and sure, if you know the spots or know a local, then Quezon City can be a good shout. BGC also has an up-and-coming and more upscale, nightlife scene. However, for any international traveler, Makati is still the place to be. It is my go-to, tried and true home base.

Most of the hotels and backpacker hostels are located in this modern district, including the lively Makati branch of Mad Monkey’s party hostel chain. For backpackers looking to experience Manila’s nightlife, Mad Monkey is the undisputed champion of South East Asia’s party hostels.

However, if you want a quieter home base to rest your head, there are no shortage of other hostels in Makati to choose from. Lub D Makati was my overall favorite for its balance of quiet comfort and vibrant social atmosphere. It has all the amenities a traveler needs to find their footing and settle into the Philippines. The highlight of Lub D is their rooftop restaurant and bar, boasting an incredible view of Manila’s endless skyline and its sea of silver skyscrapers and colorful high rises. Its perfect for starting the night with a sunset San Miguel.

Poblacion, Makati Nightlife Guide: Best Bars in Manila

Now, onto the nightlife of Makati. While Makati feels like a bustling business district by day filled with corporate workers running to and fro, it truly comes alive at night. With Makati’s pulsing nightlife scene, it is best to stay close to Barangay Poblacion, where the best nights out in Manila can be had. What’s worse than making a long trek home after a night out? Never mind, it’s too early to worry about the end of the night.

Let’s talk about where to kick off a night in Manila. Poblacion in Makati is the undisputed hub for Manila nightlife. With so many bars to choose from, it can be overwhelming picking a spot.

The Best Bars in Poblacion, Makati

A good bar can start the night off on a good note. I would begin the night at Spirits Library for their vast selection of cocktails, dimly-lit atmosphere, and live music performances. The music usually features a jazzy, blues vibe. Whatever you want to drink, odds are, Spirits Library has it readily available. They have a huge selection of liquors from its “library of spirits”, an imposing, towering wall of bottles from all over the world. Starting off with a cocktail or two here is a great option for kicking off the night.

However, Spirits Library can be ear-splittingly loud if a live band is currently performing. The small area can make it hard to sneak off and find a quiet space. Although I like starting my nights there, it can also feel like a smoky, hazy, late-night joint. It’s a reliable option at any hours, but might not be everyone’s taste. so for something more low-key, one can check out Run Rabbit Run cocktail bar. Its intimate setting is better for chatting, especially for dates or for small groups of travelers just getting to know each other. If that’s the vibe you need, opt for a few drinks at Run Rabbit Run instead. Buccaneer’s is another good option, with reasonably-priced drinks and a nautical theme. They’ve got some experimental cocktails that offer a little more variety than the standard fare of most bars in the area.

Next up, let’s head to Agimat at Ugat, one of my favorite hangouts in the entire city. Its name, meaning Talisman and Root, is a reference to the rich, native Filipino mythology and legends. The ambiance at Agimat at Ugat heavily derives from witchcraft and dark fantasy. The cocktails and interior design are inspired by the supernatural beings in Filipino folklore. It is one of the most unique bars I’ve been to, and for a proper Filipino nightlife experience, a great place to have a few drinks at. The nearby Apothecary has a similar theme, so if Agimat at Ugat is too crowded, it might be worth heading over to Apothecary instead.

These are just a handful of my tried-and-true favorite bars in Makati. However, do not limit yourself. Poblacion has a plethora of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. It’s having a resurgence of sorts, with new establishments setting up shop every month ready to take the Manila nightlife scene by storm.

I’ve heard great things about The Fun Roof, a games-themed bar featuring an eclectic assortment of traditional bar games and less orthodox thoroughfare. Golf, curling, bowling, a batting cafe, you name it, The Fun Roof has got it.

Alma, Kampai, and Banter and Jive are a few other bars that I’ve been meaning to check out, each with a unique atmosphere. There’s also a huge selection of sports bars and pub-style spots that can be good for a reliable pint without the frills. There is Cheers and O’Reilly’s Pub, to name a couple. Of course, there’s the iconic, albeit tacky, Filling Station Bar & Cafe that is a dominating presence on Burgos Street. Overall, you are spoiled for choice on a night out in Poblacion.

Best Nightclubs in Poblacion, Makati

Let’s get those dancing feet warmed up. Moving on to the nightclubs in Makati, we have an equally wide range to choose from.

Octopus, self-described as a “European-style super club”, is the hot, new nightclub in town, and quickly worked its way to renown as the best in Poblacion. Come here for a big international crowd and bumping electronic music until the early morning. Apotheka is a good alternative if you still want the electronic music of Octopus, but in a more traditional, sweaty, intimate rave setting. Another option is Notorious HQ. Bet on a fun, young crowd that’s always ready to party.

Sanctuary is another favorite of mine, thanks to its terrace that allows you some air while you dance. It’s a smaller nightclub, but I love the layout here. There are wide open outdoor areas with plenty of seating and beautiful views of the neighboring Makati high rises. The dance floor is constricted to one air-conditioned indoor bar, but it gets jam-packed with people dancing all night.

There are dozens of nightclubs in Makati, but quite frankly, few of them stand out. Many of them are fairly similar and interchangeable with one another. Most are big lounges with a dance floor and DJ playing Top 40 hits. LUXXE, Alibi, and Neon Nights are a few examples. It’s a cheesy, strobe-light-filled extravaganza, but if you’ve got a good crew, it can be a fun time. There are a ton of these lounge clubs following the same formula. By the time I stumble into them, I’m too gone to remember where I am. I truly can’t tell you if any of them are better than the other, but I’ve always had a good time, regardless of how empty the club might be. With wide open spaces and plenty of seating available, it’s great to be able to let loose.

There’s nothing wrong with either style, it’s just up to you to decide what you’re feeling. A night out in Manila can go in many different directions. If you aren’t feeling it at one of the cramped techno clubs, I would just pop into each nightclub on Burgos Street to see what the vibe is. Most of them have no cover fees, so there’s nothing to lose. If one of them strikes your fancy, dance the night away. There are so many options that you could spend a month here and go to a different bar or nightclub every single night.

I also love Makati because there are abundant late-night food options whenever you need a snack in between bars, or just want something salty and filling to close out the night. It’s truly an elite nightlife district that has all the bases covered. Welcome to Manila, baby.

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