Bars in Manila

Some of the other reviews seem to be about the girlie bars, LA Cafe is the best and cheapest one of those but be very careful about STDs in a place like that. OK now lets get onto the proper bars for normal people. There are 3 areas of Manila that are the most popular for bars, Makati, Malate and Ortigas (or Mandaluyong). Makati is home to the upscale places and has 2 areas called Greenbelt and A Venue. Both have a few nice places with expensive cocktails and occasionaly decent music. M Cafe in Greenbelt is my favourite on Thursday nights for some good music. Malate is the most happening area, frequented by many gay people. They help to make the ...  Read the complete review

This place is so overrated!!! I've visited it many times and its downhill slide has been painful to experience. Owned by an Australian named Lekker and his Filipina wife, years ago Amazonia Bar was a safe place, but now clouds of annoying, whining teen GROs begging for ladies' drinks, freelancing scammers/blackmail artists, thieves, pickpockets, and periodic "raids" (you have to know the upstairs hotel is in league with the local police in this) designed to extort cash from unsuspecting "guests" make this a tiring--if not outright dangerous--place to be. Go to the LA Cafe and stay at the Cherry Blossom Hotel instead!

Ermita is still just a shadow of what it once was prior to Mayor Lim's cleanup in 1993. Still, one bar that should be on everyone's "to do" list is L.A. Café in Ermita. For those who know the street names, it's located at the NW corner of M.H. Del Pilar and Romero Salas. It's a short walk from most hotels located in Ermita or Malate. The bar opened in August 1999 and was a hit from the beginning. It never closes and you can get "lucky" even at 09:00 (that's 09:00 am). Drinks are cheap, especially from 08:00 to 20:00. You can buy draught beer by the pitcher or by the mini-keg. L.A. Café's is a ...  Read the complete review

While The AmaZonia bar should be on everyone's shortlist while touring Ermita, they have decided to price themselves above the competition. Not sure why and not just by a few pesos either. Expect to pay at least 25% more than other similar venues for regular drinks. Is it worth the extra? There's only one way to find out... It is still affordable by Western standards, quite affordable in fact. Still anyone on a very tight budget should know. The place is still clean, the bar staff very competent and the washroom roomy enough. Not a bad place to be looking for love and you can still find a seat on most evenings. The ...  Read the complete review

Website www.amazonia.com.ph Bar Amazonia, 1396-1402 M.H. Del Pilar cor. Sta. Monica St., Ermita Manila I have recently returned from five months in the Philippines and wish to recommend Bar Amazonia as a safe, friendly, entertaining and comfortable 24hr bar/hotel in the heart of Manilas tourist area. Room prices start at 850 Pesos a room. This converts to approximately 9 english pounds which is good value in Manila. Amenities are a ceiling fan, double bed, wardbrobe, satellite tv, phone and small ensuite bathroom and shower which were clean and tidy. The 24 hour bar has a happy hour until 7pm each night with bottled beer ...  Read the complete review