Awesome Bars in Manila for Expats

Manila's nightlife is teeming with fun and excitement. Its bars and restaurants are a perfect venue for relaxation and entertainment, especially for someone who misses their hometown. Whether you just flew in from another country for a tour or are starting to build a career in the Philippines, or if you’ve been here a bit long yet you don’t know any place to hang out, take a look at our list! We have some of the best restaurants, bars, and drinking spots in Metro Manila frequented by locals and expats alike.

This restaurant boasts of a multi-cuisine menu offering varieties of Indian, Indonesian, American, and local dishes while also having regular pub food. For fans of watering holes, H&J Sports Bar and Restaurant also has a wide range of beer brands and other bar staples. Regulars and walk-in clients come here to watch soccer and football games as well, they even play pool. H&J is one of the busiest bars in the Metro such that their staff are equipped with walkie-talkies for some time now.

You can drop by Borough literally any time you want, this American bar and resto is open 24 hours a day. If you are craving for New York City-style comfort food, then this is the place to go. It is also a nice bar to hang out if you want to grab a few drinks after work. The interior is dimly lit, giving out a relaxed vibe contrasting the busy, on-the-go atmosphere of the business district where it is located.

They call it the “Biker’s Bar” and it doesn’t disappoint. Patrons and first-time visitors all agree that this bar is the real deal. From the biker-themed interiors to the food, amenities, and attentive staff, Handle Bar lives up to the buzz and hype. Live music from bands is usually from Wednesdays to Fridays, though their schedule may change each week. Their sports feed is up to date, so you could easily check their schedule if you want to watch a game. Cheer for your team while grabbing a cold bottle or two of some local or international beer. Aside from the usual pub grub, the bar also boasts of succulent steaks hot off the grill! The smell alone coming from the barbecue is enough to make you want to come inside and just have a fun night. And yes, a real bikers’ club hangout here.

If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy listening to great music, drop by Hard Rock Café. It’s located in the 3rd and 4th levels of Glorietta 3, Ayala Center in Makati. This spacious bar and restaurant has an area filled with many pool tables. But of course, it’s not Hard Rock Café without its awesome collection of memorabilia from rock icons and musicians. You can get a Hard Rock souvenir from one of their Rock Shops inside the restaurant. With a wide range of food and drink offerings, you’re sure to have whatever you need to match your mood for the night!

This place may be relatively new but it definitely does not lag behind its more established counterparts. If you’re game for a night of drinks, their bar is well-stocked with local and international brands. You can find here the drink that best suits your mood, whether it’s beer, spirits, or even wine. 12 Monkeys has an outdoor dining with a great view of the evening skyline. But you can choose to chill inside and listen to great music from amazing local bands. With the powerful sound system and great acoustics at 12 Monkeys, we could say they know how to make their clients really enjoy listening to performers, night in and night out.

When it comes to food, 12 Monkeys is famous for their innovative Palabok Pizza. It has everything one wants in a plate of palabok—shrimp, leeks, egg, and chicharon—all on top of a thin crust pizza with the signature orange palabok sauce.

They say that if you want a taste of Australia, you can visit Skippy’s Bar and Grill. This goes for both Australians who miss their hometown, and for those who want to know how it is to chill out in an Australian bar. The atmosphere and ambiance really makes you feel like you are in Australia. Don’t let this intimidate you or make you hesitate to come in. Despite seeming to be a little piece of land from Down Under on Philippine soil, the vibe here is so welcoming you’d immediately feel relaxed. Indulge yourself with their Aussie pies and burgers!

Skippy’s Bar and Grill also offers sports entertainment. Among other amenities, there are pool tables, a dartboard, one projector, and five big screens that play cricket and rugby. Its clientele agree that aside from the great food and entertainment here, the place is worth revisiting because of the cheerful staff and awesome service. Live music is also played at Skippy’s.

Nothing beats chilling out and having fun while enjoying the view of a city’s skyline. Located at the 71st floor of Gramercy Residences, 71 Gramercy is the place to go if you want to know how it feels like to be “on top of the world.” Aside from the amazing view of the Makati Skyline, good food and wine keep customers coming back. The place is classy and elegant, which also means that prices here are a bit steep. Mind the dress code too! But if you’re in for that rare luxurious night out, this is definitely the place to go.