15 Best Things To Do In The Vibrant City Of Makati, Philippines - Updated 2022

1. The Drawing Room

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The Drawing Room is a contemporary art gallery that has been featuring various artworks created by established and contemporary artists from the Philippines since 1998. The gallery constantly procures various Filipino contemporary art pieces that it then adds to its varying exhibits for tourists to enjoy. Other than exhibits, the gallery also holds art fairs that aim to increase awareness and appreciation for these varying pieces of art.

These artworks vary from Filipino to non-Filipino and showcase a wonderful blend of cultures which gives tourists an appreciation for both.

The Drawing Room

Address: Ground Floor, Building C, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Barangay Magallanes, Makati, 1231 Metro Manila

Website: The Drawing Room

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

2. Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located inside RCBC Plaza, Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium is a performing arts theater that features a wide variety of plays and stage shows that are sure to be a great time for the whole family. The shows regularly change in order to keep the theater experience fresh and ensure that customers return to enjoy more stories.

Although the theater is not that big, its relative size makes it so that even visitors who are seated at the back can still see the many intricate details of these plays and shows so everyone can have a great viewing experience.

Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium

Address: 4th Floor, Tower II, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave, Makati, 1227 Metro Manila

3. Washington SyCip Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Washington SyCip Park is a privately-owned park located near Greenbelt Mall that opened its doors in 2006. It’s named after Filipino accountant and banker, Washington SyCip. Enjoy the beautiful landscape as the park is filled with tropical trees and plants. There are gazebos and benches where visitors can sit back and relax.

There is also a koi pond present that further contributes to the already impressive design of the park. To make things better, there is an open market that sets up shop in the park every Sunday. In it, visitors can browse and buy various items and food.

Washington SyCip Park

Address: Legazpi Street, Legaspi Village, Makati, 1229 Kalakhang Maynila

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

4. Finale Art File

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Established in the early 1980s, Finale Art File is a long-running art gallery that has been considered a premier gallery institution in the Philippines. The gallery takes pride in showcasing hundreds of exhibits that each present various art pieces made by, as the gallery puts it, some of the most talented names in contemporary visual arts in the Philippines. Other than various art pieces, the gallery also showcases experimental works that aim to push boundaries and subvert audience expectations.

Finale Art File

Address: 2241 Chino Roces Ave, Makati, Metro Manila

Website: Finale Art File

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

5. Little Tokyo

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

In the mood for some Japanese food? If the answer is yes, then Little Tokyo has you covered. Though Little Tokyo is not one restaurant but rather a compound of five Japanese restaurants that each offers a variety of delicious and authentic Japanese cuisine. From sushi to ramen, these dishes are guaranteed to leave a positive impact on your taste buds.

Truly a hidden gem in Makati, Little Tokyo guarantees a great mix of delicious dishes and a wonderful atmosphere. Because of this, visitors are assured of a great dining experience.

Little Tokyo

Address: 2277 Chino Roces Ave, Pasong Tamo Corner Amorsolo Street, Makati, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila

Website: Little Tokyo

Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)

6. Ayala Museum

Get to know more about Philippine history, culture, and art at Ayala Museum. Located in the Makati Central Business District, the museum will enthrall you with its 60 dioramas depicting significant events of the country’s past. It also houses pre-colonial artifacts, ceramics from China, different kinds of traditional textiles, and works of renowned Filipino artists such as Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zobel. There are six floors, all of which are guaranteed to expand your knowledge.

Ayala Museum

Address: Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati, Makati, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Mondays)

Price: from 9 USD / 447.84 PHP

Phone: (02) 759 8288

Website: Ayala Museum

7. Yuchengco Museum

Established in 2005 by a respected businessman and diplomat, Yuchengco Museum in RCBC Plaza aims to promote both local and international arts. Some of the highlights include classical and contemporary paintings, letters from the national hero Jose Rizal, memorabilia from Yuchengco’s family and diplomatic career, and treasures from the country’s pre-historic to the modern period. There are also workshops for aspiring artists and those want to learn about Chinese calligraphy.

Yuchengco Museum

Address: RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala Avenue and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati, 1200 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Sundays)

Price: from 2 USD / 99.52 PHP

Phone: (02) 889 1234

Website: Yuchengco Museum

8. Glorietta

Located in the center of the city and divided into five sections, Glorietta is often regarded as one of the Philippines’ largest malls. All sections are close to each other except for Glorietta 5, which is in front of the former site of InterContinental Manila. You will surely enjoy not only the shops, but also the restaurants, bars, cinemas, and amusement centers. At Glorietta 4, there’s an activity center where different kinds of events are held. With over 500 establishments, you can expect no dull moments here.

Glorietta

Address: Glorietta 4, 125 Ayala Center, Makati, 1226 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

9. Greenbelt

Just like Glorietta, Greenbelt is in Ayala Center and has five sections. The first section is where you will find retail shops as well as stores selling electronics and home appliances. It’s also the area where most of the fast food restaurants are located. If you want to dine in the most luxurious way, then Greenbelt 2 is where you should go. It is home to some of the best fine-dining restaurants in the city. At the third and fourth sections, you can shop for high-end brands such as Calvin Klein, Marks and Spencer, Gucci, Prada and Hermes. Greenbelt 5’s shops are focused on brands from renowned Filipino designers. Outside the mall is park where you can go for a stroll and enjoy the lush scenery.

Greenbelt

Address: Ayala Center, Makati, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

Website: Greenbelt

10. Balikbayan Handicrafts

This store is also located in the Makati Central Business District, and it offers good quality traditional handicrafts from the provinces of the Philippines. Balikbayan Handicrafts is where you can buy wooden furniture and sculptures as well as mother-of-pearl jewelry, cutlery, and decorations. As for souvenirs, you can choose from ukuleles, acacia mugs, bamboo musical instruments, or mini replicas of old boats and jeepneys. Jeepneys are the most well-known modes of public transportations in the country. Indeed, Balikbayan Handicrafts will make you appreciate the creativity of the Filipino people.

Balikbayan Handicrafts

Address: 1010 Antonio Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City

Phone: (+632) 893-0775 to 77

Website: Balikbayan Handicrafts

11. Ayala Triangle Gardens

Makati may be known for its bustling atmosphere, but if you want to take a break from it, then this is the place for you. Ayala Triangle Gardens in the Central Business District consists of hundreds of trees such as podo cerpus, golden palms, rain trees, and fire trees. Go for a stroll to take in the beauty of the lush surroundings and the tranquil vibes. Along the way, you will also see some of the artworks of renowned Filipino artists. If you visit during the Christmas season, the light shows at night are sure to enthrall you.

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Address: Paseo De Roxas St Cor Makati Ave Cor Ayala Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm

Phone: (02) 908 3000

12. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church

Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church in Guadalupe was built in 1630, and despite being centuries-old, it still continues to captivate visitors. It’s also a popular venue for weddings. What makes the church marvelous is its combination of different architectural styles. The main entrance with Doric columns is influenced by the Renaissance period while the leaf carvings are Baroque-inspired. Inside, the Baroque influence can also be seen on the windows while the floor plan is Romanesque. It may look huge on the outside, but once you go in, you will be astounded with its intimate appearance.

Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church

Address: 7440 Bernardino Street, Guadalupe Viejo 1211, Makati

Phone: (02) 896 8444

13. Circuit Makati

This 21-hectare (52 acre) site is not yet completely finished, but many who have been here are already referring to it as an entertainment playground. Aside from the shops and restaurants, Circuit Makati in Hippdromo certainly has a lot to offer. The 300-seat theater is where performing art shows are held while the open ground hosts concerts and other major events. If you’re into football, you can watch or play a game at the huge field inspired by the Chelsea Football Club. Instead of green, it is blue to honor the legendary English football team. Trainings are also offered for those want to learn the sport. The whole field can be rented for about 54 USD (2,687.04 PHP) per hour. Another highlight is the newly-opened Mountain Dew Skate Park, which is the only one in the city. You can just sit back and witness the skaters in action or get your board and show off your skills.

Circuit Makati

Address: A.P. Reyes Avenue, Barangay Carmona, Hippodromo, Makati

Price: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

Phone: 0917 733 0500

Website: Circuit Makati

14. B-side

The Philippine music scene is alive and well, and this venue is proof of it. B-side in Malugay Street is where you can watch performances from some of the country’s most talented musicians. Whatever genre you’re into, this bar definitely has something for you. If you love reggae, then you should go on a Sunday night. It’s when reggae bands and DJs provide tunes for fans to dance and sing along to. B-side is also the venue of the very popular FlipTop Rap Battle League. Almost every month, you can catch the best rappers from the country facing off in three rounds of verbal boxing. The winner will be decided by the majority vote casted by five to seven judges. With a total of over 1 billion views on YouTube, no one can deny its popularity. The venue’s anniversary event is usually held in May, and it features bands and solo artists from different genres.

B-side

Address: 7274 Malugay Street, Makati

Opening Hours: 9:00 pm to 4:00 am

Phone: (02) 330 9291

Website: B-side

15. Sagujio Cafe + Bar

This bar on Guijo Street is very much like B-side, but only smaller and more intimate. Since 2005, Saguijo Café + Bar has been hosting events featuring the country’s best independent and mainstream artists. Another similarity with B-side is its openness to any musical genre. Not only will you see rock, jazz, and hip-hop acts here, but also heavy metal, punk, folk, electronica, and many more. Thanks to its intimate setting, you can watch these artists perform up-close and personal. It’s more like a house party and not a concert. There are shows here almost every day, but you can check out their Facebook page for the complete schedule.

Sagujio Cafe + Bar

Address: 7612 Guijo Street, San Antonio Village, Makati

Phone: (02) 897 8629

Website: Sagujio Cafe + Bar

Makati is a must-see city

The fastest way to get to Makati is by MRT train. If you disembark at Ayala Station, you can walk to Glorietta and Greenbelt. Other stations include Guadalupe, Buendia, and Magallenes. There are also buses coming from EDSA that will bring you to the city. However, you should expect heavy traffic along the way.

Makati continues to attract lots of locals and tourists, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The mixture of different cultures also adds to its charm. Now that you know what to do and where to go, take a trip to this huge metropolis now.