All the energy of the
Filipino life appears in Manila at night. Bars and entertainment
centres will keep you well fed, and in the festive mood for months
on end. Clean-up campaigns have reduced the infamous sex tourism
sleaze, though it can still be found.
Those in search of genuine native entertainment should visit JM Nakpil Street, Makati Avenue or Pasay Road in Makati, or anywhere
in Malate and Ermita areas. Most bars and clubs have live music
and most places close at 2.00 am or 3.00 am during the weekdays and at 5.00 am
at weekends. Dress codes vary with the venue but are very casual.
The legal drinking age limit is 18 years old. A night of drinks
at a normal bar will probably cost from P150 to P300 and much more for
those at girlie bars.
The Manila
Bulletin City Guide and ClickTheCity
are good sources for listings in Manila.
Bars
More upscale bars include the Orchid Bar and the Café Vogue, both of which can be found at the Manila Midtown Hotel,
on the corner of Pedro Gil Street and M Adriatico Street; the Lobby
Lounge, at the Manila Hotel, 1 Rizal Park; the Sky Lounge,
at the Manila Diamond Hotel, corner of Roxas boulevard and Dr J
Quintos Street; and Top of the Century, at the Century Park
Sheraton Hotel, 599 P Ocampo Street. For Westerners who have lived
in Manila head for the San Mig Pub, Legaspi Street; and the
Prince of Wales Pub and Grill, New Plaza Building, Greenbelt
Mall Ayala Centre, Makati. An ideal place for East-meets-West is the Hard Rock Café on 1786
M Adriatico Street, Malate. For those looking for lively atmosphere, the Streetlife, on the 4th floor of Quad III, Ayala Centre is a great place for it.
Casinos
Within the Holiday Inn Manila Hotel, on United Nations Avenue, Ermita, the Casino Filipino Pavilion is open 24 hours
a day. Dress code is smart, and the minimum age for entering
is 21 years with an entry fee of P100. A passport is required. The Casino Filipino Heritage also offers gambling. It is located
in the Heritage Hotel Manila, at the intersection of Roxas Boulevard
and EDSA, in Pasay City.
Clubs
Ballroom dancing is held from Monday through Saturday evenings at
Remedios Circle, with In the Mood. Upscale venues include
the Infinity Club, 1712 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City; and La Legende Entertainment Complex, 718 Quezon Avenue, Quezon
City. For house, trance, raves, and club culture, there are Laser
Planet, at Star City, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay; Synergy,
on the 3rd floor, Glorietta II, Ayala Centre, Makati; and The
Verve Room, on the 2nd floor, 607 J Nakpil Street, Malate. For more
information on these types of venues, get any flyer named ‘Groove Nation’
or ‘Consortium’. For more unconventional options, there
is the Hobbit House on Mabini Street. A folk club is staffed
mainly by
dwarfs.
Live Music
There are many Philippine live bands which range from the
impressive
to
the ludicrous. The Cowboy Grill, on the corner of Mabini
Street and Arquiza Street, Ermita, plays rock favourites. Popular
with Filipinos is karaoke and English singers can even compete with
the local talent. Zu, in the Shangri-La Hotel, on Makati
Avenue is an ex pat joint. For a wide selection of local venues, try
the EDSA International Entertainment Complex, in Pasay City. |
