The Philippines - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 605

NIGHTLIFE
Manila's nightlife scene is centred around three main
areas: Fort Bonifacio, Greenbelt in Makati and the Resorts
World by the NAIA airport terminal, all home to scores of
trendy bars and clubs. The area around the intersection
of Nakpil and Maria Orosa streets in Malate is the centre of
Manila's gay club scene. Leave your T-shirts and flip-flops
at home; all the big clubs have strict dress codes. For more
of a casual night out sign up for Manila's famous Thurs-
night pub crawl ( T 0905 553 9541, W pubcrawl.ph),
which takes in five bars and costs P890 on the spot, or from
P590 for women, and P690 for men if you sign up in
advance; free T-shirt, shot glass and hangover included!

dishes here. Lunch and dinner buffets include choices of
Filipino (P435) and Japanese food (including sushi and
sashimi; P625), or free range of both (P725). Daily
11.30am-2.30pm & 6-10pm.
Kashmir Merchants Center Building, Padre Faura, Ermita;
map p.602. Great spot in the middle of Ermita for Indian,
Malaysian and Middle Eastern cuisine; all the meat here
is halal and there are plenty of dishes on offer, from
kebabs (P250) to tandoori specialities (from P450). Great
vegetarian choices (P260) too. There's another branch at
816 Arnaiz Ave in Makati. Daily 11am-11pm.
★

Shawarma Snack Center 485 Salas St, Malate; map
p.602. This place offers great hummus (P105), shakshouka
(P135), tabouleh (P175) and other Middle Eastern
delicacies to be washed down with a zesty fruit shake
(P75). There's another branch directly opposite. Free wi-fi.
Mains P200-300. Daily 24hr.

FORT BONIFACIO AND PASAY
One of Manila's best nightlife spots, Fort Bonifacio is home
to scores of restaurants, bars and clubs. Most clubs get
going at around midnight and the party continues until
the early hours of the morning.
7th High Fort Bonifacio W 7thhigh.com; map pp.598-
599. To get a real taster of a moneyed Manileño's night out,
head to this swanky club with a plush interior divided into
three main areas, including a snazzy bar lounge. Wed-Sat
10pm-4am. Entry P500.
Prive Luxury Club, The Fort Strip, Bonifacio; map pp.598-
599. Opened in 2011, Prive has fast become one of the
city's most popular clubs catering to a variety of musical
tastes; the crowd stomp around to house and electro on
Wed and Thurs, with an open format/ mash-up on other
nights. Tues-Sat 10pm-4am. Entry P600; free Tues.
Republiq Resorts World, Pasay City W republiqclub.com;
map pp.598-599. This wild club is one of the city's largest
and most popular, with lively crowds dancing until the
early hours. Wed, Fri & Sat 9.30pm-5.30am. Entry P600.

MAKATI
Makati is fast becoming the culinary capital of the country,
with a dazzling range of world food on offer in the malls
and beyond.
Brothers Burger Unit A, Convergys Building, Ayala
Avenue; map p.604. Head here to regain your senses after
a big night out. If you've really had one too many, note
that Manila's best burger joint even delivers ( T 02 756
5656). Several other branches including at Greenhills
Mall. Burgers from P165. Mon-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat
8am-9pm & Sun 11am-9pm.
Chihuahua Mexican Grill 7838 Makati Ave; map p.604.
A haven for spicy food lovers with a hot sauce library of
over 60 bottles, this great little Mexican place serves
large and delicious portions of burritos, tacos (P295) and
nachos (P245), as well as great margharitas (P195). Daily
10am-3am, Fri & Sat until 5am.
Howzat 8471 Kalayaan Ave cnr. Fermina St; map p.604.
British pub serving good ol' grub such as fish & chips
(P398) and steak and kidney pie (P310); there are plenty of
TV screens to catch up on the latest sports from around the
world. Sunday roast buffet (P545) and a great Indian curry
lunch buffet (P425). Sun-Thurs 9am-2am, Fri & Sat 24hr.
Seryna 2277 Chino Roces Ave; map p.604. Well-liked
Japanese place among a set of many in Little Tokyo;
order your sushi inside and enjoy it in the pleasant
courtyard with lanterns at the back. A huge range of other
choices from P180 including udon, tempura teppenyaki,
and yakiniku. Great set-menu lunches P350. Daily
11.30am-2pm & 6-11pm.
★

8

ERMITA AND MALATE
★

The Bar @ 1951 (ex- Penguin Café ) 1951 M; map
p.602. Adriatico St, Malate. Legendary 1980s bohemian
bar Penguin Café has been reborn as this two-floor artsy
and congenial space (with a cosy loft upstairs), though
locals still refer to it by the old name. Live indie bands play
most nights and work from local artists adorns the walls.
Tues-Sat 6pm-2am.
Café Adriatico 1790 M. Adriatico St, Malate; map p.602.
Under the same ownership as Bistro Remedios , this great
little place has been going since 1979, serving Spanish-
influenced dishes (mains P300-400) and inventive
cocktails (P140-168). It occupies prime people-watching
real estate. There's another branch in SM Mall of Asia. Sun
& Mon 7am-2am, Tues-Sat 7am-5am.
Destination Heaven Courtyard J. Nakpil St, Malate;
map p.602. This collection of four bar-clubs has quickly
reasserted the address of former favourite Bed as the heart
of Malate's gay scene. Each bar has a different focus - Red

Ziggurat Durban St, between Makati Ave and Burgos
St; map p.604. Kick off your shoes, sit back on silky
cushions and tuck into exotic curries (P120-380) at this
superb restaurant serving delights from India, Africa and
the Middle East. Plenty for vegetarians, including gluten-
free veggie curry (P250). Not to be missed. Daily 24hr.