1st time in manila-night life advise

Question

hi,

any help would be appreciated.

I am flying alone into Manila on 08.12.08 for the first time.Its first stop in my asia tour ending in Thailand.I have traveled to thailand,cambodia and vietnam last year so i am used to the hussle bussle of traveling.

As it is my first time in manila..does anyone have any advice on great night life (bars etc..). what to be careful of and any other relevent advice that a 35 yr old male would need?

I cant wait to go but i would like to be more prepared.

yours hopefully

DG

Phildale · Accepted Answer

Well hikes

Manila can be a very exciting place and countless 'western type bars' and really lovely ladies who will melt your heart. Makati is like the 'chelsea of manila' more expensive but certainly not lacking in nightlife. P. Burgos Street is the area there and things like the hard rock cafe,etc and a bit further away near the Heritage Hotel going on Roxas Boulevard Esda complex which is a community of bars, many on girlie go-go bar theme. The area I prefer is down a bit further in and around the American Embassy area called Ermita, there is some good places there like my favourite LA Cafe which is 24/7 and most nights bustling and opposite a little way back, Bar Amazonia, this street is called Del Pilar right near the Ermita Shrine. Furthur round the corner is G Point owned by Swedes but a good base. When I was last there in 2006 Ermita was about 50p(60 piso)a San Miguel, and I know for a fact your be lucky to pay that in Makati. Furthur along from Ermita is Malate which was very boisterous a few years ago but is now a bit quieter, although wandering around there you'd probably find a good bar or two. Unfortunately theres is alot of poverty in places so dont walk about in too quiet an area,

be confident as you walk about and please dont wear gold,etc and careful of valuables, and generally Filipinos can be some of the most hospitable people in the world, even through a lot of hardships they still have a good heart under that lovely smile.

DGhikes · Answer

thank you for the quick response.I shall print your reply and use it as a guide.It sounds a lot like Pattaya-Thailand...should be awsome.

I have booked for 2 nihts at Townhouse Hostel as a base.It is very near the airport so i am un sure wether i will need to change to a hotel in the thick of things...Any suggestions?

Thanks again

DG

Phildale · Answer

Hi again DG

To be nearer the action I would recommend to get a hotel in or around Roxas Boulevard(more upmarket generally) or Ermita(more lower budget). We stay in Swagman which is an Aussie hotel with very good food and a stones throw from the bars I mentioned along Del Pilar. Its opposite the Ermita shrine going toward the main artery running through Pasay (Roxas Boulevard). Swagman have a chain of hotels in the Phil(Like Angeles City & Olongapo) and if you make an contact for booking with them they will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel and vice versa, free in a shuttle bus. It wont be the best place you've stayed in, but its OK and youre meet alot of Westerners and its a good laid back atmosphere. Also Cherry Blossom Hotel, Lotus Garden nearby are all Okay, and round the corner from Swaggys is the Southern Cross another Aussie hotel which is alright. Sorry I dont know nothing about Townhouse Hostel, but its got to be alot quieter (Other than planes in and out)over that way. If you want one night of luxury before you leave go for Traders Hotel along Roxas Bld, its great and theres a nice little club next to it, which has some friendly girls! Do you plan to stay in Manila all the time? to be honest the heavy and polluted traffic can make it a nightmare, but you've done BKK so I presume your a use to it a bit. As Internal flights are not to expensive I recommend highly, places like Cebu, Sabang in Mindoro, Boracay Island (Fabulous beaches), Bohol and if you want alot of 'Pattaya scenerios' Angeles CIty(2hrs from Metro Manila), Anyway good luck and please tell me what do you think of Cambodia? cause me and the wife are there next month for the first time, I've a best mate in Sihanoukville and, were doing two nights going out/2 nights coming back through Bankgkok, so perhaps I'd be grateful if you could give me or anybody else some tips. Enjoy the Philippines and have a San mig on me!

DGhikes · Answer

oh my friend.. you are a legend! i think that your advise and detailed response is a credit for travellers on this site.Nowhere else could i have an honest detailed answer.

As far s cambodia is concerned.... out of all the places in the world i fell in love with the culture,people,food and hospitality.There is a lot of poverty in cambodia for sure... it made me feel very humble.if you can see through this and see there muted smiles im sure you will feel the same.I spent 2 weeks in Sihanoukville and i enjoyed every minuite of it. Cambodia is a country full of history.Bad and good. Respect goes a long way. I advise you (if you are interested in its history) to go and visit THE KILLING FIELDS. in phnom penn.Sad but very humbling.Also the Temples in Angkor Wat..Unbelievable beauty.really. i hope to hear your views on your experiences there and visa versa.

Thankyou again and happy traveling

DG

Phildale · Answer

Thanks DG, Very kind words and as like when I go away its so much apreciated some useful advice to put you in the right direction. Good luck and safe trip.

A Tripadvisor Member · Answer

manila-night life Check this website for nighlife info in Manila. http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Philippines/City_of_Manila/Manila-1391614/Nightlife-Manila-TG-C-1.html

Fearless802748 · Answer

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