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…
Must-see nightlife in Philippines
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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.
Panglao Island
A shack on the beach with a friendly bar crew. DJs spin dread Jamaican tunes all afternoon and into the morning.
Manila
This leftist-themed institution adjoins the HUB Make Lab in the artsy First United Bldg and represents an important step in the revival of once-chic…
Manila
In the alternative village known as Cubao Expo, Fred's is Manila's most famous counterculture hang-out, although it also draws its fair share of regular…
Manila
A new concept for Manila's trendiest bar district, the Social is a mini food-park infused with pumping beats and centred around a bar that specialises in…
Baguio
With its hardwood floors, big stone fireplace, acoustic music on the stereo and frogs outside chirping along in time, this is the kind of place that…
El Nido
Perched up on the highway over Lugadia Beach 4km south of El Nido proper, Spanish–owned Republica has arguably the best sunset views around. Belly up to…
Boracay
The legendary Mason jars of Long Island iced tea (two-for-one during happy hour, 5pm to 7pm) and weng weng (rum, gin, tequila, vodka and Cointreau with…
Manila
This superclub draws top local and international DJs to spin in a humongous space in The Fort. It's under the same management as – and shares a lot with –…
Dumaguete
The American-car-culture theme is obvious from the decor: antique petrol tanks, gas-drum chairs and an old VW van parked inside. Less so from the menu…
Manila
Enter and be greeted by a towering rack of top-shelf spirits rising from the bar. This is a good sign. The positives hardly stop there, what with groovy…
El Nido
Spanish-owned Panorama, associated with the resort of the same name, is El Nido's trendiest sundowner spot. Think beautiful creatures in swimwear sipping…
Baguio
Baguio's entry on the ever-growing ledger of Philippine craft-brew houses is worth the mild slog out of the centre. You'll be rewarded by around 20…
Manila
The place for those who take their alcohol seriously, the award-winning Curator serves up an ever-changing menu of original cocktails made by mixologists…
Cebu City
This is the IT Park branch of the popular upscale sports bar at the top of Ayala Mall. It boasts plenty of big screens for sports viewing, a pleasant open…
Sagada
Located in the pine forest 1.5km out of Sagada on the road to Besao, this place serves up locally brewed beers (pints P150 to P280) with strong flavours…
Manila
Engkanto brews some of the best – and most affordable – craft beer in town, and their brand-new taproom, downstairs from red-hot Pura Vida bar, is an…
Manila
Manila's most famous dive bar has been around since 1999. All sorts of characters show up to sit on second-hand furniture, swap yarns and listen to…
Iloilo
This local classic, a small well-kept spot with plastic chairs and tables, has been serving roasted Iloilo coffee since the 1940s. It's a refreshing…
El Nido
This should be your first stop on Lio Beach, not just for sunset drinks but also for the original bar food, all locally sourced (including from their…
Puerto Princesa
This is where a good chunk of Puerto goes at night. It’s a large open-air restobar with a billiard table, a giant outdoor TV showing sports, and cheap…
Western Visayas
This bar offers beautiful sunset views and sports on a large flat-screen TV. It's part of the highly recommended Anchor Bay Watersports, and will satisfy…
Dumaguete
This hopping late-night beach bar offers riotous DJs and live party music, mostly electronic dance music, from its concert stage. Expect a young crowd and…
Panay
An upscale and stylish spot for a sundowner (P150 for a rum and coke) with tables on a lawn just off the beach. The open-sided pavilion has a pool table …
Tacloban
On the top floor of Hotel XYZ, this sleek lounge bar has a terrific cocktail selection (P150 to P220), wine by the glass, imported beers and killer views…
Davao
This small cafe is the retail outpost of a fair-trade community-oriented organisation, one of the first in the Philippines to export arabica coffee. A…
Manila
One of the only cafes in town serving single-origin coffee that is locally sourced – mainly from Bukidnon (Mindanao). Aeropress, Kalita, French press and…
Manila
Hidden 21 floors above Malate, this five-star hotel's rooftop bar is open to nonguests. Hang out in its garden oasis (complete with gazebo and footbridge)…
El Nido
One of El Nido's hottest happy hour spots thanks to sunset views and agreeable chill-out music. Also serves exciting appetizers, including vegan options,…
Davao
Named for the American prison, as well as a defunct '90s Davao bar, but there's little nostalgia. DJs spin the latest club dance tracks, and strobes and…
Manila
A regular old bar and cafe by day, Unit 27 morphs into a party playground for a well-heeled, gay-friendly clientele by evening. Thursday and Friday are…
Cebu City
A quintessential Cebu experience, Tonyo's is a huge, always-packed, open-air restobar roughly opposite Cebu IT Park. Drinks are very competitively priced,…
North Luzon
'Johnny Moon' is a play on Juan Luna, the renowned Filipino artist whose bold replica works decorate the interior of this cafe inside the La Tabacalera…
Manila
The motif is Harley at this expat fave, which boasts a big screen for watching sport, and a justifiably popular nightly barbecue under the big tree in…
Iloilo
Nearly 100 imported beers, plus several craft brews on tap, are available at this contemporary spot close to SM Mall and Smallville. It has an interesting…
