Guide to nightlife and red light districts in Manila, Philippines, be a happy boy

Manila has one of the best nightlife in Asia and here’s why:

– Party atmosphere:

Filipinos are known for their fun and outgoing personalities. They like to drink, dance, sing and play music. Clubs in Manila are rarely tense or boring, and dress codes are almost never enforced. The vibe can be really crazy, especially in local venues with a smaller expat population (like Quezon City).

– Cheap prices for alcohol, tickets and taxis:

Even a high-end nightclub only charges $10 for admission, which includes 2 types of hard liquor. In Manila, you can easily get drunk for $30, which is the price of a cocktail in some bars in Singapore.

– Foreigner friendly:

English is spoken everywhere in Manila, even by security guards or taxis.

It is easier to meet pretty girls who are not prostitutes, although there is a lot of prostitution in Manila and there are several red light districts, but it is also good to date and flirt with ordinary local girls.

– Nightclubs and bars open until late:

You can go out in Manila any night of the week and you'll always find a crowded bar or nightclub. Likewise, there's no real curfew: many clubs close at 6am, and some last until 8am. However, Manila also has some negative aspects. The city is still growing and you won't see the sophisticated bars and clubs like in Singapore, Bangkok or even Jakarta.

Hotels are generally more expensive than in other parts of Southeast Asia and of average quality. Even though the ads are fast, the internet sucks. During the day, you'll probably spend a lot of time there (not like in Jakarta anyway). There is a subway system, but it's very hot. The food isn't great unless you're a fan of junk food/fast food chains.

Finally, safety is an issue, but in my opinion, it's overstated. As long as you stay in the safest neighborhoods (such as Makati) and use a reputable taxi company, there is no particular threat to you.

If you want to know more about Manila nightlife, this review will cover everything you need to know to party and have fun.

Where to party in Manila?



Metro Manila is one of the largest urban areas in the world. It actually consists of several cities, including Manila itself, Makati, Pasay, Taguig, and Quezon City. Of course, you can't browse everything overnight. Depending on personal preference, nightlife is active in the following areas:

Makati

This is Metro Manila's main business district and home to many expats. In Makati, you should head to Poblacion Street to find the bars and clubs with the most activity. Not far away, on P Burgos Street, the nightlife is even more chaotic. It's a red-light area full of gogo bars, freelancers and brothels.

Ermita / Malate

These are two districts of Manila that are adjacent to each other near Manila Bay. They attract budget travelers, backpackers, tourists and Korean/Japanese businessmen. This is also where most government buildings are located. The area can be described as a red light district, with Korean-style karaoke rooms and bars housing freelance prostitutes. You also have street vendors and some popular expat bars. When it comes to partying, head to Adriatico and nearby streets.

Quezon City

In fact, it is the most populous city in the Philippines, second only to Manila. It's a very real hotel, mostly residential, with at least 10 upscale nightclubs, dozens of bars, and a few karaoke/massage parlors. The crowd is generally young and almost 100% local. Price is low. There used to be a strip strip with nudity in the area, but it was closed down by the mayor a few years ago. To party, you can go to Tomas Morato Avenue, Timog Avenue, Quezon City Avenue and Cubao X (for hipsters).

Secondary nightlife area:

Pasay/Parañaque is located two cities south of Manila near the airport. Definitely not the most recommended area unless you are looking for sex. In particular, you have the EDSA International Entertainment Center, a smaller local version of Nana Plaza with 6 adjacent rows. You can also have some bordellos and gogo bars scattered around, such as Universe Strip Club or Air Force One KTV.

Ortigas Business District (Metrowalk): Several local bars with live music. Fun and friendly atmosphere.

Best Nightclubs in Metro Manila



I've listed my favorites here, starting with the best. I usually attend nightclubs with a maximum of 1 or 2 people, so I tend to go where there's a dance floor, a nice bar area, and it's easy to meet new people.

Black Market

Currently popular club in Manila with foreigners and trendy Filipinos. The music is not EDM. Lots of beautiful girls but chatting with them is not that easy.

XX XX and 20 20

This popular expat haunt consists of 20 20 bars and XX XX clubs. Underground vibe, mainly techno DJs. Beautiful grounds that occasionally welcome events.

Palace of Xylo (formerly Valkyrie)

Located in the palace of Bonifacio Global City, it is spacious and modern with a huge party atmosphere. If you are new in Manila, Xylo is my first recommendation because you can meet girls easily. It is also connected to The Island Pool Club and Revel.

Cove Manila

This new luxury venue features an indoor beach club and a large nightclub. Impressive decor and high-end crowd (many Koreans). It's only open 3 nights a week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and often features special DJs or parties.

core nightclub

Located in Quezon City, about 30 minutes from Makati and not easily accessible, it's worth a visit if you want to experience a different side of Manila's nightlife: younger, cheaper, and even crazier. In Quezon City, you can also check out URBN QC and Guilly’s.

Revel

Revel is packed with executives and expats over 30 years old. This might be a great club, but there's barely a dance floor, so you won't really feel comfortable unless you book a couch. It is connected to the Valkyrie and Pool Club. Easy to meet girls.

ZZYZX

This little club in Malate is packed every Monday night. Despite being mainly aimed at Koreans, it's still one of my favorite hangout spots in Manila, especially during the week. You have a lot of beautiful girls but 90% of them are freelance prostitutes.

URBN

URBN is more like a nightclub that turns into a bar after midnight. It is located next to the Fort Strip and is considered a pick-up point by many immigrants.

Clubs usually close between 5am and 6am. If you want to keep doing this, go to LACafé (open 24 hours, lots of freelance prostitutes) or P Burgos Street in the Bronx. (Also a bar with working girls).

Best bars in Metro Manila



In Manila, you have hundreds of bars, from grungy joints in working-class neighborhoods to posh rooftop bars in Makati. The best people are usually found in the Poblacion (hipster/trendy crowd) or BGC (executives, expats, office workers).

In Poblacion there are many good bars within walking distance of each other. The best ones so far are Ms. Gee, Ms. Boogie, Ms. NoKal and Pura Vida.

In BGC, check out the bars in The Fortress (Early Night?, Bank Bar, Keg, Draft) or in Forbes Town Center (Tipsy Pig, etc.).

Manila is home to one of the best live music venues in Southeast Asia. You can listen to any genre in hundreds of bars

Music, but these are the current hits: Rock Music: Craft, Brewery@Palace, Handlebars; Oldies/Retro: Strumm's; Indie Rock/Acoustic: 12 Monkeys, Saguijo, Route 196; Jazz, Reggae World Music: Tago

Where to meet (general) Filipino girls?



Filipino girls are very friendly and they are interested in meeting foreigners. Although most people are religious (Catholic) and live with their families. So unless you go to the right clubs and bars (or if you pay a sugar baby, like at Sugar Arrangement), a night of booths and hookups isn't that common.

If you are just a tourist then I would recommend the very popular Filipino Cupid instead. It has up to 5,000 girls online, many of whom don't mind if you live abroad. Ideally, you should register on the site a few weeks before landing in Manila so that you can schedule some dates.

Gogo bar, striptease, red light district, massage parlor:



There is a lot of prostitution in Manila (although less than in Angeles City). For foreigners you have 3 main red light districts!