Where do you go for a drink in the Philippines?

[Johnny1975]

Apart from girlie bars and sitting around on the street, where do you go for a drink? There doesn't seem to be any ordinary bars like you'd find in most places in the world. What's up with that? And no nice cafes either. I like the idea of grabbing a beer and a snack, and sitting and watching the world go by, but it doesn't seem possible there. Or is there something I'm missing?

[Ghost]

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[hammanta]

Apart from girlie bars and sitting around on the street, where do you go for a drink? There doesn't seem to be any ordinary bars like you'd find in most places in the world. What's up with that? And no nice cafes either. I like the idea of grabbing a beer and a snack, and sitting and watching the world go by, but it doesn't seem possible there. Or is there something I'm missing?

Where are you at? Big cities like Manila and Cebu have a bunch of regular bars to go to. High end bars in Manila can be found in Greenbelt and Resorts world as well as BGC. I personally prefer to go and sit and listen to live cover bands. I was in Manila 2 weeks ago and went to the Mall of Asia (behind it) and found a few nice spots to sit by the bay, have a meal and beers while listening to some quality music. Malate has some regular bars but is really seedy for the most part. Makati has bars around Glorietta and Greenbelt. Quezon City has some good spots but can't remember the name of the area.

If you are in Cebu, Mango Square is where the nightlife is. Expect a lot of whores to be around though. Checkout Howling Wolves I think it is. Owned by an American I believe and has a lot of foreigners. Kinda a girly bar but they aren't forceful. Also check out MO2 club for live music and cheap alcohol or LIV (dance club though).

[davewe]

Apart from girlie bars and sitting around on the street, where do you go for a drink? There doesn't seem to be any ordinary bars like you'd find in most places in the world. What's up with that? And no nice cafes either. I like the idea of grabbing a beer and a snack, and sitting and watching the world go by, but it doesn't seem possible there. Or is there something I'm missing?

Every city I have been to in the Philippines have plenty of bars, restaurant/bars, taverns - whatever you want to call them.

People love to drink in the Philippines and there is no limit as to where to go to get what you want.

And best of all - San Miguel is cheap!

[Zambales]

Hotels/resorts/restaurants. Especially in the beachy area's.

Never had a problem. You don't even have to stay overnight in a lot of the hotels and resorts to grab a meal and a drink providing they have the facilities. If they've got a swimming pool, you can use that too albeit for a small fee.

[Johnny1975]

Well if the Philippines has the equivalent of this...

"british pub" : https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=briti ... AQ_AUIBigB

"spanish bar" : https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=spani ... 0Q_AUIBygC

...that would be nice, but I've yet to see it.

"Philippines bar" : https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=phili ... kQ_AUIBygC

"Philippines drinking" : https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=phili ... oQ_AUIBygC

[Zambales]

Changed "bar" for "pub" and it differs somewhat

Philippines pub
https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=160 ... 9ltmp940uk

Manila pub
https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=160 ... Qea67CWuts

Cebu pub
https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=160 ... FzNZmWQAX4

[Mr S]

You can drink pretty much anywhere in PI, it's more about where and what kind of people you want to surround yourself with. The typical Western style bar isn't really popular in this country, but if you're in one of the major cities usually there are a few that foreigners have opened up. Generally the "resto-bar' is what is in vogue, it varies from a shithole to highend depending on location and clientele. Basically tables and chairs out in the open where people order buckets of beer while listening to live music or Karaoke. I don't really like it but that's what the local prefer rather than what is considered a proper bar or pub environment that a Westerner would prefer.

[filousophe]

Filipino here.

you can check places in Makati or Bonifacio Global City. good stuff in there.