Manila
A precinct of cool bars, cheap eats and boutiques, Cubao X is a must for anyone interested in Manila's underground scene. Venues come and go, but boozy…
Must-see nightlife in Philippines
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Cebu City
A top Philippine craft-beer producer, Turning Wheels has opened up a lovely open-air taproom on a side street east of the Ayala Center. More than a half…
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Manila
This snazzy tequila bar and Mexican eatery carries a rotating selection of close to 85 different tequilas and mezcals, Mexican beers and several types of…
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Manila
This arty new bar is a breath of fresh air on the fringes of Makati's Central Business District. Superb selection of craft beer, both in bottles and on…
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Siargao
There's no better happy-hour spot than White Banana. It's owned by a DJ and the music, piped through Siargao's best sound system, is on point. Come happy…
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Manila
Inspired by the Singapore original, this lobby-level watering hole at the Raffles Makati has an unbeatable happy hour – all-you-can-drink beer, wine and…
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Manila
Agimat should be a mandatory stop for any cocktail person. The head bartender forages for obscure herbs and other natural ingredients around the country…
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El Nido
The cool kid on El Nido's main drag, diminutive Happiness features contemporary beats, top-class cocktails and hipster swings at the streetside bar. By…
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El Nido
Finally, a contemporary cocktail bar-club worthy of El Nido's status as a rising international starlet. Cocktails are expertly made and the bar menu…
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Puerto Galera
Our favourite bar in PG, the Point Bar is a mellow sunset-and-beyond meeting place with great sea views, eclectic music and 2-for-1 San Miguel during its…
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Malapascua Island
Kocoy's is the most popular bar on Malapascua, with the action extending well into the night. Bar games such as table football and pool lure punters in;…
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Manila
A self-described 'drinking den', this sophisticated secret bar is hidden behind a 7-Eleven in The Fort. It has a huge selection of spirits, craft…
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Manila
In the heart of The Fort, this is Manila's top LGTB nightclub. No flamboyant drag shows here, just hunky dancers and top DJs holding court in front of a…
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El Nido
The ubercool beach bar that makes Maremegmeg Beach (aka Las Cabanas Beach) tick. In the high season it assumes a Miami Beach vibe around sunset as it…
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Puerto Princesa
Producer of Ayahay craft beers, Palaweño offers free tours and has an outdoor taproom for quaffing and swapping yarns over the excellent bar. A glass…
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Boracay
Apart from having one of the greatest club names ever, Area 51 is (low voice) the only underground party spot on the island. Its schedule is appropriately…
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Davao
A collection of outdoor bars and food joints, and a handful of more upscale restaurants and clubs, MTS is a lively and fun spot. On Tuesday nights there’s…
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Manila
Owned by a Costa Rican, Pura Vida brings a dash of laid-back Caribbean attitude to the heart of Poblacion, with occasional reggae bands, arroz con…
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Dumaguete
Cosy up to the bar or grab a plastic chair at this two-storey pavilion made of driftwood with a nipa roof, part of a complex of bars and restaurants on…
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Dumaguete
You could while away several hours at this student hang-out lined with bookshelves and mini alcoves (inaccessible to anyone over 6ft). Espresso drinks,…
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Manila
Around since 1977, the Oarhouse is a Malate treasure, attracting an intelligent, boozy crowd of regulars, comprising students, journalists and foreigners…
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Boracay
This flashy club with its world-class DJs remains the most popular of the beach discos, and is also known for its Wednesday-night table-football matches…
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Manila
There's no doubt where the top backpacker party spot is in Manila. The roof deck at Z Hostel draws hot local and foreign DJ talent and is popular with…
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Cebu City
This stylish, buzzing indoor-outdoor bar is a great place to warm up before continuing the night further uptown. Abundant big screens are conducive to…
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Moalboal
A Panagsama institution where the mantra on the wall proclaims, 'The liver is evil and it must be punished'. Yes, this is the liveliest bar in town:…
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Manila
A happening, down-to-earth craft-beer specialist nestled in an open-air nook near Burgos Circle. There are 25 beers on tap (P225 to P295), including a few…
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Manila
A real bohemian hang-out with suitably tattooed bartenders slinging original drinks like the signature 'baywalker' (a salted-rim Long Island iced tea of…
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Manila
Perched atop the Bayleaf hotel in Intramuros is one of Manila's best open-air rooftop bars, with 360-degree views of the metropolis. Come for sunset post…
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Manila
This elegant rooftop lounge is 32 storeys up at the City Garden Grand Hotel. It has nearly 360-degree views of Makati, a wide-ranging cocktail and craft…
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Cebu City
Uptown HQ for Cebu's young and beautiful faces, who come to socialise and – as the night progresses – dance to some of Cebu's grooviest tunes. There's a…
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Southeast Luzon
This friendly and relatively hip coffee shop is a place to linger; apart from free wi-fi there are board games and a guitar. It's all about the coffee,…
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Manila
The latest and greatest nightclub offering from the Palace Group, which brought superclub Valkyrie to Manila. The crowd is even wealthier, more…
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Cebu City
Upmarket lounge bar with fine city vistas where you rub shoulders with Cebu's beautiful people. Sip on a champagne cocktail (P320), savour a dry martini…
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El Nido
Long the most happening place in El Nido, this reggae bar suddenly has a lot more competition and has responded by expanding. It now has two entrances –…
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Cebu City
A small, sociable Canadian-owned bar that draws a good mix of expats, locals and visitors. Musically things are far better and more up-to-date than most…
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Manila
Manila's best selection of craft beer can be found at this little shop/bar in the Fort. Huge range of both domestic and international brews available …
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Cebu City
Rammed most nights with party people, Sentral eschews the EDM and pop hits blueprint favoured by most Cebu clubs for a hip-hop, R&B and funky soundtrack…
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Bantayan Island
At the far end of MJ Sq, this friendly little open-air bar is the perfect place to perch on a stool and enjoy some banter with locals. Get stuck into the…
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Cebu City
This bohemian 24-hour restobar is filled with old books and contemporary art and draws a colourful mix of local arty types. Regularly hosts gigs from…
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Manila
Rooftop Casa Bambu is a great stop for open-air beats and all-around fun. They also get quality live-music from time to time – check the Facebook page.
