Approximate reading time: 10-15 minutes

Introduction

Philippines’ Growing Craft Cocktail Center

The quality of Philippine bars has been on the rise for a couple of years now. The continued development of these bars have even gained our country some global recognition. Metro Manila is inhabited by millions of people, meaning millions of preferences - this can be one reason why all these different types of bars are popping up which is great because this variety continues to make Metro Manila an exciting place to bar hop.

Whether or not you are planning to hit multiple bars in one night, if you are looking for a sit down spot where you are still able to hear each other while sipping on some quality drinks then these might be the perfect places for you! Treat yourself to a drink at one of these high quality places with the perfect ambiance.

Just a fair warning that a lot of these places may be on the pricier end, and while they definitely deliver on the quality for the price, you might also want to check out our video where we take an exciting night time tour around manila. In this video we explore more places like ihawans or grilling/barbeque places, karaoke bars, and even watch a drag show.

Watch this and party like a local with us

Scroll down further and see some of our accommodation recommendations for places around these bars so you don’t have to waste any time worrying about traveling and just enjoy to the max!

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Disclaimer

The information presented in this article may be subject to change at the venue or service provider’s discretion. You may check their respective websites or social media accounts for any updates on the price, location, and other details. Additionally, this article may contain affiliate links from which we get a portion of profit, at no added cost to you. These links are safe to click.

With that, we hope you enjoy reading!

The Top 10 Best Bars in Manila

Bank Bar

Bank Bar is one of our favorite hidden bars in Manila. It is called “Bank Bar” because it is quite literally hidden in a bank. You can find Bank Bar inside the 7-Eleven convenience store in the RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center.

Just the experience of entering this bar is already unique and exciting. Step into this secret world and be greeted with a modern and industrial ambiance. They have an extensive drinks collection that their well trained bartenders use to make delightful cocktails. Bank Bar operates at such a high caliber that Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia has even dubbed it one of the best bars in the Philippines for 2024.

LIT Manila

Another one of the bars to be recognized by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia as one of the best bars in the Philippines for 2024, LIT Manila has a very specific focus. LIT is regarded as one of the prime spots for a good glass of Japanese spirits, more specifically Japanese whisky.

LIT is a very intimate bar, with few tables which makes it perfect for having extensive conversations while sipping on some fine Japanese whisky. If you aren’t too interested in learning about the different Japanese spirits, but still want to check out the great ambiance of this bar, they also serve some classic cocktails as well.

Agimat at Ugat Foraging Bar and Kitchen

Over the years, Poblacion has continued to grow more and more as a hub for different types of bars and restaurants to show off their unique high concepts. One of these high concept bars would be Agimat. Also named on Travel + Leisure’s 2024 list of best bars in the Philippines, every aspect of Agimat is inspired by Filipino mythical beliefs and traditions.

The inside of the bar is decorated with bottles of various sizes, but the showstopper is the Balete tree behind the bar. Balete trees are famously believed to be the home of different supernatural beings in Filipino folklore. From their decor to their drinks, even just the preparation of some of their certain drinks includes a performance or mini fire show that will leave you speechless.

The Spirits Library

Also along the streets of Poblacion, The Spirits Library has become one of the go to spots for someone to enjoy a good drink accompanied with great jazz. This place really lives up to its name because once you walk in you are immediately greeted by their floor to ceiling wall of shelves filled with, you guessed it, different bottled spirits (the alcohol kind).

Depending on the day that you come you can have your drink to some live musical jazz acts or DJs spinning their tracks. The menu of Spirits Library often changes but they can also make classic cocktails and possibly cater to other drink requests that you have.

Run Rabbit Run

Another high concept bar in Poblacion, Run Rabbit Run is inspired by the story of “Alice in Wonderland”. While “Alice in Wonderland” is the main theme of this bar, it also has a very homey feel to it which makes it quite a cozy spot for a drink.

The energy in this bar is similar to the energy of the Mad Hatter’s tea party: a little whimsy, a little homey. Taste any one of their unique concoctions like Floppy Ears and Jessica Rabbit, or browse through their Filipino inspired drinks.

Buccaneers Rum & Kitchen

If LIT is the authority on Japanese alcohol and whisky, then Buccaneers Rum & Kitchen may be considered as one of the authorities on Rum in the Philippines. And what better way to enjoy a glass of rum than in a nautical themed bar where you can invoke your inner pirate!

Their extensive collection of rum and masterfully crafted cocktails have even earned them a spot on the longlist of The World’s Best: Asia’s 50 best bars in 2021, making it to their extended 51-100 list. While their drinks are the main show of this bar, their kitchen can also whip up some great bar chow and even main courses to pair with your rum.

The Back Room

The Back Room was also able to garner a spot on Travel + Leisure’s list of the best bars in the Philippines for 2024. This speakeasy will take you back to the roots of speakeasies and transport you to the 1920s when prohibition was implemented in America and speakeasies were used to curb this. The Back Room is a very exclusive speakeasy found in Shangri-La in the Fort, Manila. From the music, the staff’s uniform, to the furniture used, the Back Room is committed to making you believe that you really did step back into the past.

The Back Room is such an impressive bar that it has been named one of Asia’s top 50 bars back in 2020. When we visited, we were even lucky enough to be invited back to their gin lab where they make their own gin which is also used for some of their superb cocktails like the Bee’s Knees Gin Martini.

Blind Pig

The Blind Pig is hailed as the originator of speakeasies in the Philippines since it first opened back in 2011. Inspired by the famous Milk & Honey bar in America, The Blind Pig sparked the interest of Filipinos in Manila towards crafted cocktails.

The Blind Pig has a dimly lit interior, whose ambiance they try to keep as peaceful as possible, even implementing etiquette rules which every patron is oriented about once they enter. The Blind Pig has also taken a spot on Travel + Leisure’s top bars list in the Philippines for 2024. Their cocktails started the revolution of cocktail curation in the Philippines.

Oto

Another bar to make it to the 2024 best bars in the Philippines list of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia is Poblacion’s Oto. Oto doesn’t just take its drinks menu seriously, but they take their love and appreciation for music to the next level as well.

Oto has a top of the line audio system, with a grand vinyl collection. The setup almost feels like you are just having a drink in someone’s incredibly tricked out living room. Ave has often visited Oto in Poblacion, and even includes it as part of her Poblacion bar hopping video from way back in 2018. Check it out if you want to see even more popular watering holes around Poblacion. Oto, along with Agimat, Run Rabbit Run, and Spirits Library are some of the bars given credit for transforming Poblacion into the electric center of nightlife that it is today.

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The Curator Coffee & Cocktails

A coffee shop by day, at night, The Curator transforms into one of the top bars for carefully crafted cocktails in Manila. The Blind Pig may have started the speakeasy movement in Manila, but Curator may be the bar that put the Philippines on the global bar map.

First opening in 2013, Curator has put in the time to make it the exceptional bar that it is today. Its efforts have not gone unrecognized as it has consistently been on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars since it first appeared there in 2016. The menu of The Curator also changes seasonally, but their accommodating and kind staff are willing to take any requests. Owner David Ong describes Curator as “a love song to specialty coffee and craft cocktails”.

Where To Stay

One part of a great night out is having a cozy place to crash out in. Here are some of our recommendations for great accommodations that you can book within the area of these bars for a good start and end to your bar crawl.

Ascott Makati

Housed within the Glorietta Mall, settle down at the heart of Makati and find adventure in every direction once you step outside. Ascott Makati makes sure that once you are through with your day of exploration, you can fully rest and relax in your elegant but still extremely comfortable rooms. You don’t even need to set foot out of Ascott to have a great day - stay in and explore their different amenities like their tennis court, spa and massage center, and on-site fitness center. Check out our very own chill weekend staycation in Ascott Makati in this Youtube video here.

Book Here : Link to Booking page

Watch this and explore with us in Manila

Citadines Salcedo Makati

Located in a prime spot in Central Makati, Citadines Salcedo lets you have the best of Makati at your fingertips. Their services are very thoughtful, for example, since Citadines is in such a central spot, they even provide a list of the top 5 coffee shops within the area. Their rooms are spotless and extremely comfortable. When we had our own little staycation here, we definitely enjoyed spending time in their jacuzzi.

Book Here : Link to Booking page

Watch this and explore with us here in Citadines Makati

City Garden Grand Hotel

Thanks to City Garden Grand Hotel’s high quality amenities and consistently accommodating guest services, it has become one of the most sought after hotels by travelers coming into the Philippines. From staycations, business trips, special celebrations, and vacations - City Garden Grand Hotel can cater to every need. Take in the Makati City landscape from their rooftop pool.

Book Here : Link to Booking page

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila ensures that you get the same first class Ascott standards and treatment but this time in the heart of another vibrant area of Manila. Rest easy knowing that you are staying in a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Certified hotel, just like Ascott Makati is as well.

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Book Here : Link to Booking page

I’M Hotel

A few steps away from Power Plant Mall and the always lively Poblacion, I’M Hotel has 10 room types to fit all your vacation needs. One of them even comes with a spa bundle if you really want to pamper yourself on your vacation. You can even have a pre-game session here before going out for a night of bar crawling in one of their 3 on-site restaurants.

Book Here : Link to Booking page

Ending Notes

The Philippine bar scene continues to up its standards and quality with every year that passes, truly making it deserving of all the global renown it is getting.

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Treat yourself to a great drink at any one of these places and cheers to celebrating happy memories together! We’d love to see what your go to order is, don’t forget to tag us on your posts and stories with the hashtags #MarveTravelGuides, #MarveToldMeToDoIt, and #TravelWithMarve. Drink responsibly and safe travels!

The Top 10 Best Bars in Manila

Table of contents

Introduction

Want to visit the Philippines ?

The Top 10 Best Bars in Manila

Where To Stay

Ending Notes

Want to visit the Philippines?

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