Manila - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 90

DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
Few visitors to Manila are disappointed by the buoyant, gregarious nature of its bars and clubs . This is a city that rarely
sleeps and one that offers a full range of fun, from the offbeat watering holes of Malate to the chic wine bars of Makati.
Manila also has a thriving live music scene, with dozens of bars hosting very popular and accomplished local bands
almost every night. Clubs are especially prone to open, close and change names with frequency, so check before you head
out - websites such as W guestlist.ph are good places to get the latest information.

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arriving early because most places don't even warm up until
after 10pm and are still thumping when the sun comes up,
with crowds in summer spilling out onto the streets. Friday, as
always, is the big night, with many places closed on Sunday.
Hobbit House 1212 M. H. Del Pilar St at Arquiza St,
Ermita T 02 521 7604, W hobbithousemanila.com;
map p.69. In 1973 entrepreneur Jim Turner decided to
open a bar that would pay homage to his favourite book,
The Lord of the Rings . He staffed it with twenty midgets and
a legend was born. Hobbit House has somehow endured,
still employing short people, and offers a huge list of
bottled beers, Tex-Mex food and nightly appearances at
9pm by a variety of local bands. It has also become a
notorious tourist trap, with busloads of visitors brought
in every night to have their photographs taken alongside
the diminutive staff. Daily 5pm-2am.
Liquid Pool & Lounge Manila Ocean Park, behind
Quirino Grandstand, Roxas Blvd T 02 567 4321,
W manilaoceanpark.com; map p.69. Fun pool bar and
club, with grottos, outdoor jacuzzi, DJs spinning and indul-
gent cocktails (though comparing it to Vegas is pushing
things a bit). The pool and bar is open daily 11am to 5pm,
but it's over-18s only after 6pm. Wed-Sat 6pm-3am.

BARS
AIRPORT AREA PASAY CITY
Opus 2/F, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila T 02
856 0128, W opusmanila.com; map pp.60-61. This
jaw-dropping restaurant-lounge bar has to be seen to
be believed, with shiny silver sofas and vast Italian
Renaissance-like murals on the walls, glass-encased
booths, veined marble bar and an array of glamorous
cocktails. Daily 5pm-2am.

INTRAMUROS AND RIZAL PARK
Lobby Lounge Manila Hotel, 1 Rizal Park T 02 527
0011, W manila-hotel.com.ph; map p.63. It's worth
grabbing a coffee or artfully constructed cocktail in this
elegant lobby bar, even if you're not staying at the Manila
Hotel - it's one of the few places redolent of the city's
golden age, with capiz chandeliers, narra wood ceiling and
marble floors. Daily 6am-midnight.

ERMITA AND MALATE
Nightlife in Ermita and Malate comprises a somewhat
confusing mixture of budget restaurants, genuine pubs and a
once-again flourishing girlie bar scene, with as many Asian
(mostly Korean) male patrons as Westerners. If none of that
appeals, make for the Roxas Blvd end of Remedios St, which is
full of cheap-and-cheerful places popular with students for
their cover bands and drinks. Don't make the mistake of

MAKATI
Makati nightlife has traditionally revolved around o ce
workers spilling out of the nearby banks and skyscrapers,

GAY NIGHTLIFE IN MANILA
The gay scene in Manila has been vibrant for many years. Even bars and clubs that aren't
obviously gay are unreservedly welcoming and the LGBT community mixes easily and
boisterously in the same nightclubs and bars. Traditionally, the whole area around Maria Orosa
Street and Julio Nakpil Street in Malate has been lined with gay-friendly bars, though there are
signs that the scene here is dying off - the most hip places are now spread out across the city,
though the shows at The Library (see p.97) are still worth checking out. Other gay resources are
covered in Basics (see p.49).

Bed Unit 5, The Portal, Greenfield District, Mayflower
St at United Ave, 1552 Mandaluyong City T 02 584
9388, W bed.com.ph; map pp.60-61. Malate's biggest
and boldest gay club has been reborn at this cool,
industrial venue with DJs, drag performances and male
dancers. Tues 6pm-midnight, Wed 6pm-1am, Thurs
6pm-3am, Fri-Sun 6pm-4am.
Club Mwah 652 Bonifacio Ave, Mandaluyong City
T 02 532 2826; map pp.60-61. Club, bar and theatre

featuring a burlesque transvestite show dubbed
“Folliespiniana”, based on traditional dances and
“Las Vegas-Moulin Rouge” inspired acts. Thurs-Sat
9.30pm-1am.
O Bar Ortigas Home Depot, Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas
T 919 996 4154; map pp.60-61. Hip club and lounge
bar, always crowded - especially on weekends - and
there are sometimes drag shows and go-go dancers.
Wed-Sun 10pm-6am.