Came here during our recent Manila trip and it was highly recommended by friends and family. Great…read moreambiance and wonderful drinks. Would likely come back again. Pretty affordable if you're converting USD to PHP but likely very expensive for locals If you're on a local salary. I've been to actual speakeasies in the US that survived Prohibition era and they don't quite have the same feel--for starters, the building is new, there are no secret doors or hidden basements, there isn't a password or secret code to get in or antique version of the menu, no history about how the place survived when it was illegal to sell and distribute alcohol. Despite not having the culture and history behind it, it is still a very good experience and would highly recommend for the drinks and ambiance.

ok, it's a bit tricky to find this place, at least for me, but i'm glad i didn't give up so easily…read more once inside, i was greeted by the friendly staff. the drinks weren't only pretty but delicious too. it's a really chill spot and would definitely recommend to friends. can't wait to come back to this place.

Located at the 21st floor at the Ace hotel, great Pasig view and hip-happening music. Great food…read moreand drinks. Cold air fan blowing on you while you enjoy the night lights!

If you really wanna go for a "sosyal" date then Sky High Bar might cater to your liking. What I…read morelove about the place is that it's so intimate that you just can't get on a regular al fresco dining. What I also like about it is the view of Manila at night that you'll get to enjoy because they're located at the rooftop of a semi-high rise building. In Metro Manila, you won't get to see that much stars at night, as what people say, it's because it's polluted. What makes up for it is the busy street and night lights that you'll only get to see if you're on top of a building or a helicopter. The only problem with fine dining at night is that you don't get to see your food under good lighting and get to instagram it. They do have mini lamps that you can use to see better when eating. Just ask the waiters. What I also enjoyed in this place is their food. It's mostly pica-picas (did you read that in Pikachu's voice because I did) but they also offer meal sets. I'm in love with their calamares and fries. What added oomf to their food is their dips. It's so flavorful and it complements the crunchy texture so well. The place has two sides. One is for the bar with the loud thumpin' music and the other side is for fine dining.

Perf chill drinking spot with friends. Try their flavored vodkas, Call Me Maybe & One Night Stand.read more

Friendly staff, affordable drinks and food. Slow service makes it lack one more star.read more

Sometimes all you want is to not care about anything and not shell out for lots of beer and food…read more Gypsy makes it easy to do just that. The place is dim, dingy and awash with a dull pink from the bar's lit signages coupled faded fluorescent lighting. Plastic tables and chairs are unmeticulously arranged out front. It looks unpoetically poetic, like a setting in a dark indie film or grunge music video. The place doesn't get very packed, and sometimes you feel like you have it all to yourselves, because even with other people around, there's enough distance between tables to evoke a sense of privacy. The beer is cheap and so is the food, but neither are particularly remarkable. They do the job, and sometimes that's all you want. Gypsy is an unapologetically cheap restobar and that's why I love it. It allows an incredibly simple and easy night out. I highly recommend going here with a big group of good friends, giving up all your cares, and kicking back and relaxing. This place is great for that.

This place truly holds a special place in my heart, not just because of all the good times I've had…read morehere but because of the good food, awesome choices in music and the yummy drink mixes. Five years ago, we used to come here almost every week to get our drink on or to just eat and talk till we run out of stories or get tired. Though that time has passed, we still go every now and then because we miss it and the food! I've brought so many people here to try different kinds of dishes and also that I really like Gypsy Magic, they definitely have me under their spell. What to order: Gypsy Burger, Salisbury Steak, Bulalo Steak, Potato Wedges (great for pica pica), Garlic Shrooms, Nachos & Cheese, Tectonic Plate (my personal favourite!), Chili Cheese Cigars and the Hungarian Platter. And yes, I've tried all of those and more. I can't remember though what the name of my favourite drink is but my guess is Blue Diablo? Ask for the blue drink and decide whether you want it stronger or sweeter.

Curiously amazing place. Respect the old fashioned protocols and the great staff! Amazingly curated…read moredrinks and warm atmosphere make this a must see

Probably one of my favorite bars in the whole of Manila! When I want to have drinks after work or a…read morenightcap after a late dinner, I will most probably end up at The Bar. Interiors are beautiful and cozy. The leather chairs, central bar, and decor take you to another world where you can enjoy your classic cocktail, scotch, or wine in utter opulence. The staff are always efficient and helpful when serving and suggesting drinks if you are feeling a little adventurous. Try the Negroni 1919 or the Espresso Martini. Good selection of wines too and a decent repertoire of Single Malts (for a price!). Bar chow is available too if you feel like you need more than the refillable snacks they serve you. It's also the perfect place to have an intimate conversation or a casual meeting. Cigar smokers and smokers alike will enjoy the fact that you can smoke here (sorry non-smokers!). Price points are expensive compared to your average bars or speakeasies but you're at The Peninsula after all. The overall feel is nostalgic, classic, and definitely for those who enjoy high quality cocktails and drinks in a place that makes you feel like you're transported to a bar in Cuba with different world music playing in the background.

Z Roof Deck lives up to its name as a solid rooftop bar in Poblacion. While it isn't the highest…read morevantage point in the area, it still offers a great perspective of the neighborhood, with particularly nice views of the illuminated Rockwell buildings and the distant BGC skyline. The atmosphere is definitely a vibe--chill and social. Music starts up later in the evening (around 9 PM, I believe), which helps transition the mood as night falls. We visited fairly early and enjoyed the shift when the music began. However, one interaction notably dampened the experience. A brief, joking conversation with a bouncer took an unexpectedly dark turn. When I lightheartedly asked if anyone had ever tripped on the spiral staircase, he replied, "Only if I throw them off." Joking or not, for someone responsible for patron safety, this felt in poor taste and sounds like he wants to look or sound intimidating. It's a remark that unfortunately sticks with you. And it was of bad taste. Overall, Z Roof Deck has much to offer in terms of views and ambiance, but attention to staff training and customer interaction would elevate it from a good spot to a great one. 2 star from poor choice of words from the security at the roof deck. You want to be funny? Tell a better wholesome joke.

The happy hour is awesome- you get a free drink! The view is cool, you can see a lot of the city…read morefrom here. The only drawback coming here is that you need to buy a bracelet and put a minimum amount 300 pesos per person but if you choose your poison correctly it can get you 2 drinks or 3 beers :)

My husband and I discovered the Music Hall when were looking for a place to chill somewhere in…read moreMetrowalk. With two floors and a mezzanine, this place is surprisingly spacious. Since we had dinner already at home we only ordered a plate of nachos and two bottles of beer (total bill was only Php350. They don't charge an entrance fee). We were disappointed with the nachos because it was served late and cold. We should have ordered the sizzling tofu instead. Anyway, it's a good thing the band playing that evening, Jek Manuel and The Stronghold, was good. We really enjoyed the group's performance. I like the place because it's separated from the crowded and smokey part of the Metrowalk. I don't like their chairs though, very uncomfortable. We will definitely go back there because food (mostly hotplate or grilled) is not expensive, band performances great, place cool, and location is fantastic.

With a very up-to-date sound system, scenic location, and the guest performances of many of the…read morecountry's well-known Original Pinoy Music (OPM) artists, The Music Hall has a simple name but a well-known concept in that is takes a bar with live music and an ambiance of cocktails, buckets of beer, and delicious samples of "pulutan" and other light meals served with alcohol to make it a bar-bistro. Seeing its walls lined with pictures of famous artists who performed there, one would instantly realize how many stars have graced the stage of The Music Hall. During my visit, I witnessed a concert where Philippine music legends Boy Mondragon and Richard Merk performed songs that made them famous. (Yes, not my generation, but it was a fun, entertaining, impressive show nonetheless.) All that while enjoying a smooth Daiquiri with Calamares, Drunken Shrimp, and Sizzling Tofu. With the cool air-conditioning and the live bands and groups like the FBC "Rebirth" and the L & S Femme stoking up the crowd's enthusiasm and letting them sing along to the hits of yesterday and today, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I'm sure you will too. Just check their schedule which is packed with events featuring artists from then and now.

It was such a coincidence that I was at Back to the 90's yesterday and it was apparently--Hashtag:…read moreThrowback Thursday. My friends from Concerned Artists of the Philippines in UP held a back to back gig of two independent bands there last night (Plagpul and KALIS), so I passed by and gave my support. It was my first time in this bar but I already knew about it for quite some time; it's Back to the Future signage along Tomas Morato, corner E. Rodriguez is simply hard to miss. I was curious at first to see what it's like inside Back to the 90's, only to find out that it's actually no different from most bars ideal for gatherings of independent bands and the underground music scene. The only difference with Back to the 90's is practically, its 90's theme. You will definitely see a lot of Throwback posts on their walls because of the framed movie and music posters from the 90's era. Haha! What a virtual way to describe it, but I would rather stick to such description than say nostalgic because I simply did not get the feel. I was born 1991, so I really wasn't able to get a glimpse of how bars then were like. Although, when I asked some of my older friends there, they said that 'yes, this is actually a recreation of a 90's bar.' What I like about it, is it's cozy but rock and roll ambiance that went well with its small, vertical space; comfortable couches are leaned against graffiti walls showcased by dimmed pin lights. They also have a very cute menu placed in an old school CD case where they offer alcoholic beverages and bar dishes like Nacho's, Fries, Buffalo Wings, etc. Although, I wasn't able to have a taste of any because I was a little broke last night (P200.00 per order), and their selections were not really that inviting, the waiter said that their best seller is the Tapsilog. Overall, it was an OK bar for me. I would go here if good bands will be playing but probably not for a usual late night chill or beer nights.

I've been an avid goer of gigs since 2007 and even started my own production company in 2009, but…read morebelieve it or not, I only started frequenting Route 196 in 2014. Of course, I would watch gigs there from time to time, but because I live in Makati and parking can get difficult, I used to get too lazy to go all the way to Katipunan. Since my first gig in April 2014, I'm probably there almost once or twice a week. It even came to a point that I was there four times in one week! Yes, parking can be difficult, but with Mak around, he's sure to find a decent and safe parking spot for you. Once you park, you pay an entrance fee to Ryan, who at times often tease me already. (See? I go there waaaaay too much.) There are times though that entrance is free. Usually for Rockeoke nights, which I've honestly never been to, but come on. Karaoke with a live band backing you up and everyone drunk enough not to judge your horrible singing? Come on. That's got to sound inviting. From time to time, I buy a bottle of scotch that is served to me by my favorite waiter, Mark. If you're a fan of How I Met Your Mother, just imagine Mark as Linus. He never leaves my glass empty! My friends and I have actually gotten close to the waiters,(and by close I mean, Facebook friends and commenting on each others' posts), that we would often tease each other with little inside jokes. On Tuesdays they have drink all you can for P300 on certain cocktails and every night they have buy one take one on pizza until 8 or 9 pm. If you're feeling cheap, go for those two options, but if you're really hungry, try the deviled chicken or deviled tofu with a serving of rice, which by the way, is not even expensive at all! If you're not a fan of spicy food though, try their other pizzas or their rice bowls. Basically, Route 196 has everything I need when I go out: good food, great staff and brilliant music. And of course, an unlimited amount of cheap drinks!

Joining the ranks of bars like Saguijo, Big Sky Mind, and Club Dredd, Route 196 has become a hot…read moreand sought-after venue for today's young artists. Most big names of the independent art scene frequent Route 196, if not for their own events, for the crowd. Route attracts writers, independent thinkers, music aficionados, filmmakers, and patrons of the underground community. Events I've attended here include Stereodeal's album launch, GeekFight! Trivia Night, Deus Sex Machina, a gig with indie bigwigs Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, and Johnoy Danao, and a fundraiser for a dance film. Route may be a bit difficult to get to, with no direct commutes, but it doesn't stop the crowds from going out of their way to get there. The lure of the culture of Route 196 is just too strong.