When most of the things you see in Manila either involve shopping at a mall or eating at a restaurant, you might start to wonder if there’s anything else to do on a Friday or Saturday night with your friends. Thought it’s not quite obvious, there are actually a lot of things you can do at night that doesn’t have to involve going to a restaurant or mall! Here are top ten things you can do to spice up your night in Manila.
1) Catch the indie scene at Route 196
Route 196 is always bustling with live music performances, and is one of the best places to catch the rising stars of the music scene in Metro Manila. Located along Katipunan extension, Route 196 has featured many great underground bands, and is known among its patrons as not only a place to listen to some good live music, but also a great place to get some bar chow. They serve pizza, deviled chicken, smoked farmers sausage, and more. Couple that with their ice-cold beer and stellar performances, and you’ve got a memorable Friday night. Rates here start at 250 PHP (5.00 USD) for the entrance fee, and you get a free beer!
Route 196
Address: Route 196, 196-A Katipunan Avenue Extension, Blue Ridge A Quezon City, Philippines
Price: from 5.00 USD
Opening Hours: 6 pm to 2 am
Website: Route 196
2) Go clubbing at Black Market
Photo is only for illustrative purposes
Black Market is a semi-exclusive (read: they’re really, really strict about age restrictions) club in Makati where you can head over for a Friday night of dancing to the city’s best DJ’s. They also have a bar and some pretty Instagram-worthy hangout spots, and is more low key compared to Black Market’s more upscale and crowded counterparts like the Palace Pool Club or Valkyrie. For a gauge, you can get a table for two with complementary drinks for 2,000 PHP (40.00 USD) and a pint of beer for 120 PHP (2.40 USD). Most notably, Black Market has Bad Decision Wednesdays where you can dance to the Billboard top 100 songs.
Black Market
Address: 2723 Sabio St, Makati, 1233 Metro Manila, Philippines
Price: from 2.40 USD for beer; 40.00 USD for a table
Opening Hours: 10pm-4am
Website: Black Market
3) Dine and drink at The Yard (from USD 169)
Photo is only for illustrative purposes
The Yard is a very recent addition to the Katipunan scene in Quezon City, and since then has gained so much popularity that it expanded and opened another store in the Ortigas area. While the Yard is technically a food park, its design and exteriors attract many people because it’s simply more than just that. The Yard is composed of 2 floors, 30 unique stalls all offering various dishes and drinks — from Belgian fries to Japanese food to liquid Nitrogen cocktails — all making for a hip place where foodies can unite and bond with great company and an upbeat ambiance.
The Yard
Address: 83 Xavierville Avenue Loyola Heights Quezon City,Philippines
Price: from 2.60 USD for entrees
Opening Hours: 4 pm to 12 am
Website: The Yard
Manila by Night
Duration: 5 hours
4) Go shopping at a night market
Sometimes you just have to relax and unwind with a good shopping spree. Fear not, though, because you don’t have to hurt your wallet so much in the process. Thankfully, Manila’s streets are lined with many bazaars and friendly stalls where you can get your shopping fix, and one of these bargain shopping havens is St. Francis Square. St. Francis Square is a mall bazaar featuring various items so you can shop ‘til your heart’s content. Expect fashion items, gadgets, bags, shoes, and more for less than the regular retail price.
St. Francis Square
Address: Bank Dr, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm Friday and Saturday; 10 to 8 pm Monday to Thursday
Website: St. Francis Square
5) Laugh out loud at Zirkoh
Photo is only for illustrative purposes
Are you due for a big, hearty laughing session? If you are, head over to Zirkoh’s for some good (and wildly hilarious) company! This comedy bar is located along Tomas Morato, and you can expect — aside from delicious cocktails and beers — stellar song performances, funny skits, and standup comedy that can make your stomach hurt from all the laughing. Prices start at 300 PHP (6.00 USD).
Zirkoh
Address: Zirkoh, Tomas Morato Ave. Quezon City
Price: from 6.00 USD
Opening Hours: 7 pm to 3 am
Website: Zirkoh
6) Sing your heart out at Red Box
Photo is only for illustrative purposes
Where do broken hearts go? Turns out, in the Philippines, they go to karaoke. But Red Box isn’t just for the broken-hearted; it’s also for the friends who just want to spend the night belting out to their favorite songs. For a starting rate of 149 PHP (approx. 3.00 USD), you and your friends can book a room with a few complementary drinks. Don’t worry, the walls are thick enough to be soundproof, so you don’t need to feel self-conscious about your singing skills!
Red Box
Address: 4th flr Trinoma Edsa Cor. North Avenue Barangay Pagasa Quezon City
Price: from 3.00 USD
Opening Hours: 12 pm to 12 am
Website: Red Box
7) Feast at Mercato (from USD 67)
Photo is only for illustrative purposes
Mercato is a favorite among locals because of the smorgasbord of food offerings and the affordable rates at which they are offered. This weekend night market is only open from Thursday nights to Saturday nights, and here you can try a wide range of cuisines just in once place. Aside from being a haven for foodies, Mercato is also peppered with many stalls where you can shop for unique items. Expect to pay anywhere from 35 PHP – 200 PHP (0.70 USD – 4.00 USD).
Mercato
Address: Mercato Central, 25th St. Corner 7th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Price: from 0.70 USD
Opening Hours: Thursdays to Saturdays, 6 pm to 3 am
Website: Mercato Centrale
Manila Mercato Night Market Street Food Tour
Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hrs
8) Watch an indie film at Teatrino
Photo is only for illustrative purposes
Indie film showings are rare to come by when in Manila, as local cinemas in malls typically favor showing Hollywood hits. However, sometimes you can find hidden gems like Teatrino that cater to indie film aficionados. Located in Greenhills, Teatrino lets you catch releases of up and coming indie films, and maybe even watch a live play or concert depending on the night. Rates here start at 200 PHP (4.00 USD).
Teatrino
Address: Teatrino, Promenade Service Rd, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Price: from 4.00 USD
Website: Music Museum
9) Cheer on your favorite team at Skinny Mike’s
Photo is only for illustrative purposes
Is your favorite team playing and you want to watch the game? You can do so at Skinny Mike’s in Bonifacio Global City. A sports bar with great food and even greater chicken wings, Skinny Mike’s is a favorite among sports fans as they make sure something fun to watch is always playing — they even have replays of old games you might have missed! Skinny Mike’s also offers a wide range of drinks, and just for a range, a pint of beer starts at around 65 PHP (1.30 USD).
Skinny Mike's
Address: 32nd Street Corner Justice Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Price: from 1.30 USD
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Website: Skinny Mike’s
10) Try your luck at City of Dreams (from USD 12)
Sometimes you want to spend your free night not spending your money but trying your luck to earn more. You can find a world-class casino right here in Manila, City of Dreams. This casino is open 24/7 and is located in Bonifacio Global City. Be careful with spending here though — it’s a whole lot of fun to wait and see if luck turns up, but it’s no longer fun if at the end of the day you realize you spent more than you can afford!
City of Dreams Manila
Address: Aseana Avenue corner Macapagal Ave., Entertainment City, Roxas Blvd, Paranaque, Parañaque, 1700 Metro Manila
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Website: City of Dreams
DreamPlay Admission Ticket in Manila
The Manila nightlife scene (from USD 169)
Manila may have many cool offerings and things to do during the day, but this city also boasts many nightlife activities you can enjoy with your friends, significant other, or even your family. If you want to go out and have some fun, there are many places in Manila you can do so. All you have to do is choose!
If you do not wish to customize your experience and just want a night out, why not book a private night tour. The 5 hours tour includes dinner and a visit to 2 different bars with the flexibility to customize your itinerary. There’s also a choice of exploring the sights and the tastes of Manila on a dinner cruise that takes you along the shoreline of Manila Bay!
Manila Bay Dinner Cruise
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 58 USD
Manila by Night
Duration: 5 hours
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