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Insomniac's Guide to Manila

Kate Alvarez | Published: Jun 26, 2009 - 9:12am

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


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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.

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  • sacher torte Dec 02 2010 @ 12:01am Report Abuse
    Big Sky Mind in QC! I've heard people staying there till 9AM. Amazing place to hang out if you're avoiding the Makati three-piece-suit crowd.
  • vimella Nov 04 2010 @ 07:40pm Report Abuse
    You missed Taverna Verde at Julia Vargas Ave. cor Meralco Ave, Ortigas... and The Reserve at Citygolf
  • dragonheart1182 Sep 19 2010 @ 08:28am Report Abuse
    Check out Bugsy's Bar & Bistro the next time you're in Makati. With it's sophisticated 40s gangster era ambiance, you'll never believe how cheap the booze - and food for that matter - are. After loading up on a Wed night, head out to Izakaya in Greenbelt 3 (beside Spicy Fingers). Music's very "in the now" and booze is relatively cheap.
  • Sui Jan 12 2010 @ 11:32am Report Abuse
    Love the article! and am thankful for the tips.
    I chime into the Manor Superclub "Hymn" lol Hit it up when you got some time and are out to Party. If you are looking for a more relaxed/cozy yet classy feel, check "The Reserve" it's the Golf Clubs Bar along Julia Vargas. Like with all HOT Spots.. don't come in too early.
  • ronne Jan 05 2010 @ 04:03pm Report Abuse
    Pasig-Mandaluyong

    World Class Persian Kebab (Madison Pioneer St)
    open until 5am
  • ayreesa Oct 17 2009 @ 10:45am Report Abuse
    dont forget sizzling stop and jayjs
  • madz Sep 23 2009 @ 01:41pm Report Abuse
    too bad i'm too easy to get sleep when the moon shines at night.
  • J Aug 26 2009 @ 01:28pm Report Abuse
    I usually hang out at 77 w/the bf every weekends. This is the place to go if you want your beer really cold and cheap. Think of sub zero beer (sans the addnl. cost), with bottle getting white on the outside (san mig lite in particular), bringing out the crisp taste of the beer. Love the buttered chicken & quattro formaggi pizza as well!
  • neng Jul 15 2009 @ 03:30pm Report Abuse
    i've been to 77 cafe when my friend threw a party there and the place is so nice! definitely for chilling out:) also been at the meatshop where everything is soooo cheap! a bucket of beer (i'm talking about the beer in 500ml bottle!yes!!!) plus 3 pulutan will only cost you like 2 average cab ride just around the metro hehehe
  • mich Jul 01 2009 @ 10:16am Report Abuse
    my friends and i have always wanted to watch at mogwai.
  • rieya Jul 01 2009 @ 05:20am Report Abuse
    great feature!! i've been to the rather "artsy" places you've mentioned and most of the people that go there are manila's lunar-powered creatures - hands down to mister kebab as well! i remember going there at aroung 4am right after procrastinating school stuff and there were people eating there with their club attires and all :D
  • Hill Jun 30 2009 @ 12:46pm Report Abuse
    where's the cheapest booze in ewood? ty
  • Joey Jun 29 2009 @ 02:04am Report Abuse
    There's also Big Sky Mind in New Manila, the original have for artists and musicians. And its still going strong!
  • Carlo Jun 27 2009 @ 01:15pm Report Abuse
    great article!
  • thenakedcherry Jun 26 2009 @ 10:01pm Report Abuse
    Manor Superclub is just right beside Something Fishy so if you're running on a tight budget, you can get loaded first at Something Fishy before you go clubbing.Ü

    There are also other clubs in Makati that you can go to if it's already curfew time in The fort like Tabu in Salcedo Village and Fiamma in Jupiter St.

    Thanks for featuring 77 cafe. Sounds like a great place to hang out. I would definitely check it out one of these days.
  • Crabbypatty Jun 26 2009 @ 10:05am Report Abuse
    Good list. Too bad I'm asleep by 10pm most nights.
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