It's 3 a.m. and you're not ready to call it a night. Many clubs and bars follow the 3 a.m. curfew, while other crowds evaporate by 2 a.m. Where does one party on? I consulted fellow insomniacs from north to south, and here's what they had to say.
Quezon City
Somethin' Fishy
Keywords: food, booze
Eastwood City Cyberpark, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Bagumbayan, Libis
Telephone number: 421-6412, 421-641
Operating Hours: 24 hours
A haven for call center employees, Somethin' Fishy's breakfast buffet is worth every peso. For P119, eat as much as you can from 12 midnight to 10 a.m. daily (no leftovers)! Opt for the P165 price tag to get a bottomless drink as well. "Other than people who want to pig out on their sumptuous breakfast buffet, you'll also see groups looking for a place to get booze and pulutan," said Jackie Cabrieto, 28, corporate business facilitator. "It's one of the cheapest places in Eastwood for beer and food." Sounds fishy? No, it's the real deal!
Mister Kabab
Keywords: food
West Ave. (near Kowloon house)
Operating Hours: 24 hours
Unlike other short-lived shawarma businesses, Mister Kabab has stayed afloat for years. In QC, it's where clubbers go after a night of debauchery. "We've already spent our money on beer, so this is where my friends and I get our fill of kebab without going broke," said Elaine Lirio, 20, student. Their service is a bit slow, but don't fret. You'll get your fill of Persian goodness for less than P200.
Mogwai
Keywords: food, booze, chill out, movies
Unit 62-63 Cubao Expo, General Romulo Ave., Araneta Center, Cubao
Telephone Number: 913-1060
Website: mogwaifilm.multiply.com
Operating Hours: 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
"This place is a haven for artists," said Doj Roxas, 26, architect. You'll find the likes of photographers, designers and painters chilling out in this rustic spot. The first floor is a café/restaurant that serves diner food, native coffee and alcoholic drinks. The second floor has a cinema room where you'll get your dose of Hollywood classics, indie flicks, art films and local masterpieces. The best part is: no censorships!
77 Café
Keywords: food, booze, chill out
51 Kamuning Road
Telephone Number: 410-4387
Operating Hours: 6 p.m. - 3 a.m.
If you're sick of going to bars where people need to "see and be seen," then you'll find refuge in 77 Café. This two-storey house was transformed into a resto/bar, which explains its bohemian vibe. The lower level serves café food from morning to afternoon, while the second floor opens in time for their regular beer drinkers. "I threw a party in 77 Café once and it was the best!" raved Koke Villaflor, 26, architect. "Other than cheap booze, their food is great, too." Try their bestseller pizzas and shakes—“all while sitting comfortably on their artsy couches.
Meat Shop
Keywords: food, booze
Katipunan Ave.
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. -4 a.m.
"It's your typical grill/inuman place," said Paolo Del Rosario, 24, nurse. It's the best place to hang if you're a little low on the dough. "They serve cheap beer and pulutan such as inihaw and sisig," Pao added. You can opt to stay indoors for air-conditioning or go alfresco with your smoker friends. The crowd is middle to low class, so don't come dressed in your designer dress and heels or you'll feel out of place.
Manor Superclub Basement
Keywords: dance, food, booze
Telephone: 421-3180
Eastwood City, Libis
Website: manoreastwood.multiply.com
Operating Hours: 9 p.m. onwards
"This place is reminiscent of Embassy, which comes as no surprise because Manor has the same owner," said Valerie Tan, 27, TV host. The crowd is different from your usual dress-to-impress scene. Since the Eastwood neighborhood is filled with call centers and offices, Manor clubbers are usually yuppies coming straight from work. "The music and interiors here are as good as Embassy, but Manor alcohol is more affordable," added Valerie. And unlike Embassy, there is no 3 a.m. curfew to worry about.
