Entertainment in Manila
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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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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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A
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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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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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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C
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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D
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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E
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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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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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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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.
reviewed
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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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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
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J
Laffalooka
You numbskull! With the Three Stooges as a motif, how can you go wrong? This small club out by the seafood restaurants near Rizal Park has live comedy (Thursday to Saturday) as well as jazz, R&B and acoustic. It's a friendly place with a delightful staff.
reviewed
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K
Bed
The infamous Bed is known for its wild gay and straight crowds who dance with abandon till dawn. Given the dominant colour it could be called ‘Red’. And yes, go exploring and you’ll find the eponymous furnishing – maybe occupied, maybe not.
reviewed
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Pasay City Cockpit
Bloody cockfights take place at this huge venue and the atmosphere is always highly charged. It is close to Malate. Sunday is the best day to visit. To get there, take the LRT-1 to Libertad station and change to an eastbound Evangelista–Libertad jeepney.
reviewed
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Club Mwah!
The best of the city’s tranny stage shows take place at the opulent Club Mwah!, an incredibly shiny, sparkly and simply fabulous place with obvious Las Vegas interior-design influences. Manila’s gay expats give it a huge thumbs-up.
reviewed
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Roxas Blvd
For free entertainment, you shouldn't miss the pedestrian walkway along Roxas Blvd as it turns into a veritable 'battle of the bands' after sunset. There's an abundance of street-side restaurants, hip live bands and throngs of ambling Filipinos.
reviewed
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Dolce
Dolce is a red-velvet-rope-style club in the tradition of, say, South Beach or Ibiza. University co-eds flock here in their glamorous droves on weekend nights, and all of them dress to impress. A dress code forbids casual street wear.
reviewed
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FAB/The Library
Two gay clubs under one roof. FAB is a club famous for weekend foam parties. Weekdays see acoustic musicians perform. The Library downstairs has nightly comedy shows (at 9.30pm) that are popular among both gay and straight audiences.
reviewed
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Tabu
This cosy lounge gets going on Tuesday when its ‘models night’ tees off. It’s not a misnomer either, as every Brazilian model in town (there are surprisingly many) flocks here. Wednesday is ’80s rock and Thursday is Brazilian night.
reviewed
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Library
This is a tiny, stand-up-comedy and karaoke bar that draws a mixed gay/straight crowd. Be warned: this place can be high on the sleaze factor but if that doesn't bother you, get on the mike and sing to your sweetheart of the night.
reviewed
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Conspiracy
Owners Cynthia Alexander and Joy Ayala play folk, jazz and various global tunes. Consider wearing tie-dye as the inside is nonsmoking and the snacks are vegetarian. The garden is a good place to chill with a dark San Miguel.
reviewed
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Oarhouse
Oarhouse is something of a clubhouse for Peace Corps volunteers and Filipino journalists. It’s a cramped little space, but populated with an accomplished group of eclectic regulars, who often linger until the sun comes up.
reviewed
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Castro at Firma
Downstairs it's a beguiling shop of Filipino arts and crafts , upstairs the lights go low and it's a gay-friendly bar with low-slung sofas and a long list of smooth drinks. It's a popular haunt with the post-club crowd.
reviewed