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
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…
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…
Mactan Island
Jutting into the ocean, this is the sleekest beach club in the Visayas, with cool white seating, decking and sail-like canopies drawing Cebu's bright…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Port Barton
Pretty much everything you need in a laid-back backpacker beach bar: prime beachfront location, cheap drinks and an absolutely rocking house reggae band…
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…
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…
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;…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Batanes
Watch the hours pass in this magical cafe in the garden of a traditional stone Ivatan home. Owner Imee makes all her own treats, including tres leches…
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…
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…
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,…
Manila
Around since 1977, the Oarhouse is a Malate treasure, attracting an intelligent, boozy crowd of regulars, comprising students, journalists and foreigners…
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…
Kalibo
Live acoustic music most nights, cheap buckets of beer and an extensive menu of Filipino fare (P250 to P450) are on tap at this open-air bamboo pavilion…
Bacolod
Small, lively outdoor compound with more than a half-dozen eateries doubling as bars; great spot for a bucket of beers.
Bacolod
A well-stocked, pub-style bar good for drinks with friends. Live acoustic music on weekend nights.
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Manila
The latest and greatest nightclub offering from the Palace Group, which brought superclub Valkyrie to Manila. The crowd is even wealthier, more…
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…
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 –…
