Entertainment in Philippines
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A
Bo’s Coffee Club
A super popular Cebuano franchise that makes genuine top-notch espresso along with the usual mocha, latte and frappé selections. A favourite with both students and business types, this is a good air-con escape from the streets and there’s free wi-fi with any hot drink. There’s another outlet on Pres Osmeña Blvd and a third at Ayala Center.
reviewed
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B
Wineshop
With a mixed crowd of Filipino and foreign clientele, the Wineshop is a convivial and unpretentious Spanish-owned wine bar. If you’re excited by the idea of genuine tapas (P40 to P60), you’ll be disappointed by the sardinas (straight from the tin) and bemused by the inclusion of kinilaw (Filipino-style ceviche) and sisig (a sizzling plate of grilled pig jowl bits). The real steal is the house red (P60 a carafe), which is eminently drinkable.
reviewed
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Penguin Café
Also known as Rock Ola Café, this is the watering hole of choice among Malate’s artistically inclined bohemian set. The Penguin doesn’t truly come to life until late on Friday and Saturday nights, however, when DJs or live bands set the place on fire. Try to catch a set by the wildly original Pinikpikan, an 11-member folk-rock group that performs here occasionally.
reviewed
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C
Sideline Garden Restaurant
A large and atmospheric seafood resto-bar under a spacious pagoda behind Fuente Osmeña.
reviewed
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Paseo
Not so much a nightclub as a night precinct, Paseo is a vast semi-outdoor space fronted by a market area and bordered by 20 independently owned bars all competing for attention. See how far you can crawl your way around in a single night, but don’t forget to write the name of your hotel on the back of your hand. On Friday nights the party heats up at 10pm; on Saturdays it kicks off as early as 8pm. Get there earlier for cheap eats – most of the bars have short-order kitchens. A taxi from uptown will cost about P60 and take 15 minutes.
reviewed
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Red Box
One place where you can see all the cultural forces behind karaoke in overdrive is Red Box. Ray Charles, Kylie and Prince are all represented on the vast playlist at this slick place. There are public and private spaces for you to belt out your tunes. Entrance fees (to P500) include drinks, food and music. Even if you’re only passing by, check out the posted lists of the most requested songs.
reviewed
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D
Cuneta Astrodome
The Cuneta Astrodome is one of the popular venues for professional basketball games managed by the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), the Philippines’ equivalent to America’s NBA. Like football in other countries, basketball is a national passion in the Philippines. The professional league follows a yearly season – check with the arena for the schedule.
reviewed
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E
Ratsky
A smooth bar where hip young things head to at night for a drink (San Miguel around P70) and to hear live music. Pasta, sushi, burgers and oysters are on the menu. Enter by the door 50m south of the corner of Mindanao Ave and Bohol St. If Ratsky doesn't do it for you, there are other bars in Ayala. Dress code applies and the admission price entitles you to one free beer.
reviewed
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F
Araneta Coliseum
The Araneta Coliseum is a popular venue for professional basketball games managed by the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), the Philippines’ equivalent to America’s NBA. Like football in other countries, basketball is a national passion in the Philippines. The professional league follows a yearly season – check with the arenas for the schedule.
reviewed
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Wineshop
Cheery, welcoming and unpretentious, with a mixed crowd of Filipino and foreign clientele, this Spanish-owned place is hands down our favourite Cebu City hang-out. There's no videoke or blaring sound system, just the convivial hum of conversation. The kicker is the wine selection, including an eminently drinkable, reasonably priced Spanish house red.
reviewed
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Ratsky
A smooth bar where hip young things head at night for a drink and some live music. Pasta, sushi, burgers and oysters are on the menu. Enter by the door 50m (164ft) south of the corner of Mindanao Ave and Bohol St. If Ratsky doesn't do it for you, there are other bars in Ayala. Dress code applies and the admission price entitles you to one free beer.
reviewed
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Barrakz
Who could possibly resist a multi-levelled, meat-market style dance club where the camouflage-clad waiters actually salute the patrons?! During the early evening, university students come here for dinner; at night, the place goes insane. Two huge American military trucks retrofitted with tables and chairs are parked on the rooftop.
reviewed
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G
Handlebar
The motif is Harley at this expat fave, which boasts a big screen for sports viewing and pitchers of beer you can use to wash down a steak – or pour on your neighbour. Tables under the big tree in front are leafy delights. Decent cover bands, usually including one or two token expats, perform on the weekends.
reviewed
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H
Amazing Philippines Theatre
In the heart of the CCP, the Manila Film Center building stages performances of the Amazing Philippines Theatre. The one-hour revue-type shows and beauty contests star all manner of transpeople. This group caters almost exclusively to Korean tour groups, which explains the high prices.
reviewed
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I
Libertad Cockpit
Bloody cockfights take place at several venues around Manila and the atmosphere is always highly charged. The huge Libertad Cockpit is close to Malate. Sunday is the best day to visit. To get there, take the LRT1 to Libertad station and change to an eastbound Evangelista-Libertad jeepney.
reviewed
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Reynadelrio
For truly golden Cagayan sunsets, nothing beats this out-of-commission river ferry docked a few blocks north of City Hall. Drinking and floating boats, especially those not going anywhere, go hand in hand, and seafood and Filipino fare (mains P180) mean you can make a long evening of it.
reviewed
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Sun City
Cebu City has its fair share of universities, hence student-friendly places like Sun City. Tarpaulin ceiling, white plastic tables and chairs, acoustic live sets, pool tables, reasonably priced beer and, of course, it also has students. It's diagonally opposite the Golden Peak Hotel.
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J
Sun City
Cebu City has its share of universities, hence places like Sun City exist. Tarpaulin ceiling, white plastic tables and chairs, acoustic live sets, pool tables, reasonably priced beer (San Miguel around P30) and, of course, students. It's diagonally opposite the Golden Peak.
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Anaconda Floating Bar
Anaconda Floating Bar, moored 50m out from Capt'n Gregg's Divers Lodge, is the place to go if you really want to drink like a fish. Take plenty of protection against the sun - you can almost smell the foreign flesh roasting. A free shuttle boat will take you there and back.
reviewed
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Casino Filipino - Airport Casino
Casino Filipino advertises itself as 'Asia's friendliest casino'. At this huge gambling palace, players try their luck at craps, blackjack, roulette, stud poker, bingo etc. This is one way to kill time if you want to stay up all night to catch a very early morning flight.
reviewed
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K
SaGuijo
It styles itself as in indie-rock club but it’s really a cool and down-to-earth little bar where the live music is just part of the attraction. There’s a menu of Thai and Filipino snacks. Bands are mostly of the emo and post-punk variety and kick off nightly at 10.30pm.
reviewed
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L
Hard Rock Cafe
The Hard Rock Cafe is Manila's own contribution to the global chain. You'll find all the Hard Rock staples (rock memorabilia, overpriced burgers), with the exceptional difference that live music is played, including some mainstream jazz, instead of the usual canned rock.
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M
LA Café
A long-running favourite with expats looking not just for a game of pool, but a rowdy crowd and a raunchy atmosphere. There are lots of unattached people (at least while they are inside the bar), and the alcohol flows with abandon throughout the morning, day and night.
reviewed
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N
Nevada Square
This innocuous-looking collection of bars and clubs turns into one wild and crazy fraternity party on weekends, complete with shooters, bar sports and inebriated Filipina students dancing on tabletops until the wee hours. It can be pretty quiet during the week.
reviewed
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O
Embassy
The Manila club scene is fickle, and yet the hugely diverse Embassy keeps going strong. Local celebrities, hipsters, club kids – you’re likely to see them all here. Hip hop and R&B on Wednesdays; a mix of everything on Fridays; classic house on Saturdays.
reviewed