The Most Beautiful Bars in Manila, According to Design Pros

(SPOT.ph) A great night out means all the elements aligning—the right drink, exciting company, and the perfect spot where magic can happen. Why have a cocktail just anywhere when you can do it in surroundings that can elevate your experience of each sip? Here, we line up 13 of the best-looking bars in the city, chosen by some of our favorite design pros (we asked each of them to name two but some could name only one) who, like us, enjoy the occasional drink or two. These boozy spots have the most stylish interiors in town—and happen to serve some of the best libations, too. They range from luxurious, stately bars inside hotels to buzzy speakeasies, and each will surely keep you busy chasing the beautiful balance between drink and design. 

Noel Bernardo 
Architect, designer of Tsumura and Elbert’s Collective 

SPIRITS LIBRARY, Poblacion 

Famous for its ceiling-high shelf filled with rare bottles, its curvilinear bar made of wooden planks and its double volume ceiling, this Poblacion favorite gets the thumbs up from Bernardo who likes its "texture and classic feel" and "theatrical approach to design and presentation."

LIT, Serendra BGC 
Can easily be missed because it's practically a sliver of a space in Serendra's ground level, it has however become everyone's reliable go-to (and owner Francis everyone's favorite bar figure). Using perforated screens to separate the interior space from the outside world, and charred wooden planks to line the walls (a Japanese technique known as shou sugi ban), this whisky joint transports you to quaint, small bars in Japan. Says Bernardo: “I really like how this bar interprets the Japanese theme with a very snug and laidback Tokyo bar feel."

Miguel Rosales
Creative director and art advisor, Caramel Creative Consultancy

RAGING BULL CHOPHOUSE & BAR, Shangri-la The Fort, BGC 

With its chevron-patterned floors and gilded paneling, walking into Raging Bull is like stepping into a bar in New York’s Upper West Side. “It is beautifully detailed, and a great place to meet people for an early drink at cocktail hour. Most importantly, they serve very good drinks and offer wonderful service,” says Rosales.

BANK BAR, RCBC Corporate Center, BGC

Known for its arched mirrors behind the bar and the art projected onto the arched niches across. Furniture is in rich blues, reds and ochre. “One of my go to places when I have to entertain guests from out of town," Rosales says of this Moment Group OG. "Apart from the novel entrance concept (we like to pretend we're just buying drinks at the 7-11), the place offers nice understated interiors, good service, great music curated by Anton Ramos and very good drinks.” 

Chut Cuerva
Architect, Managing director of Nova Group

GOOD TIMES 
“It’s a gorgeous gem hidden behind a sushi joint," says Cuerva of this Rockwell haunt decked out in plush velvet furniture, red marble tables and gold art deco accents. "The space is dramatic but cozy. The lighting is sexy. The drinks are excellent and the music is good. I’d be a regular if I lived nearby."  

Isabel Lozano
Interior designer, owner and CEO of DecorUM by MIL, designer of Antonio’s Lanai, Spirits Library, and the furniture at Hapag at Balmori Suites 

SAMPIRO SALCEDO PARK 
An “homage to the hospitality and charm of classic Manila,” Sampiro Salcedo Park mixes pendant capiz orbs, ribbed leather furniture, stainless steel tables and vibrant walls in one space to fantastic results. It has an art deco sensibility with a 50s diner vibe. “It’s well done and not over the top. You can see the thought process that went into it, which I appreciate as a designer,” Lozano says.

Kitty Bunag 
Interior stylist, Kultura and Sarsa 

RAGING BULL CHOPHOUSE & BAR, Shangri-la The Fort, BGC 
“Raging Bull is designed by New York-based design firm AvroKO. The layering of wood, metal, all that black and white patterned flooring is just brilliant. It’s refined and sophisticated in a very unpretentious way. The meticulous retro-classic detailing is on point and I love that it feels unthematic. I love the sunken work side of the bar that makes bar seating level as comfortable as the dining,” Bunag says. She also notes how the drama of the lighting in Raging Bull pulls all the classic details together. 

78-45-33, San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati 
Located at the rear entrance of LPL Mansions in Salcedo Village, this dimly lit bar is an audiophile’s dream destination. “Incorporating vinyl is always a good idea,” Bunag says, referring to the impressive record collection behind the bar. “The fact that it features records from the owner’s personal collection makes it instantly fascinating. The dark interiors with design- forward furnishings create such a soulful intimacy.” Mid-century modern furniture adorn the space and frame a handsome pair of refurbished JBL Hartsfield speakers from the ‘60s.

Also read: The Best Restaurants in Manila and Beyond for 2023

Pai Edles and Misty Floro 
Co-founders and design principals of multi-disciplinary design studio Morfosis Design 

BAR.FLORA, Scout Rallos, QC 
“Bar.Flora is hands down our favorite spot in town. Its top-notch interiors - a collaboration between Jagnus Design Studio and the owners Shao and Lester - seamlessly blend warmth with industrial edge. The ambiance is a perfect fusion of a concrete canvas softened by wood, greenery, and vibrant florals. The bar is the centerpiece - featuring a stunning moss wall forming their logo, flanked with over 200 varieties of gin, a treat for any gin enthusiast! The bar counter itself is a work of art, crafted by the owners with resin and embedded flowers." 

THE PEAK AT GRAND HYATT, BGC 
Being the highest rooftop restaurant in Manila, The Peak comes with the best views of the metro. Tokyo-based Nao Taniyama & Associates designed this space and they were inspired by the city’s multi-faceted beauty. “The interiors are ultra luxurious with plush seating arrangements, sleek finishes and decor, and dramatic lighting,” says Morfosis of the Grand Hyatt favorite. “The place is the epitome of luxury and sophistication. Perched high above the city, it's the perfect place to take in the panoramic sights during sunset and well into the evening.” 

Cecile Ravelas
Interior designer, Lagun El Nido, Art Caravan  

AURORA, Pacific Star Building, Makati Ave. 
“I like the layering of texture and materials done by the designer. It is not easy to balance such layering but in the space it was blended well to create an interesting visual. The private area features a nice stone table which again creates an imposing interest but not overpowering. So it’s a nice quiet space to hang out in but still enjoy great visuals - more importantly good food and drinks." Aurora (formerly known as Cafe Aurora) features a back-lit wall of wine bottles to greet guests and black and white tiles lining the wall by the bar. 

Arthur Tselishchev
Creative director and partner of A Design

BAR.FLORA 
“Such a low-key spot in the city with creative drinks and food. My favorite part there is a backlit bar with stunning resin counter and a frosted glass barrier with real plants lighting up the seating area. Overall this place got a cozy atmosphere of speakeasy bar where you can sip all their botanical twist to the drinks." 

MANSION SPORTS BAR & LOUNGE, Palanca Street, Makati City 
It's a place for people who like watching sports, playing billiards or enjoy the occasional karaoke sesh. “I really like their grand entrance with the red metal staircase," says Tselischev of Mansion. "This bar has lots of retro vibe arches, brick textures, exposed beams, well planned lighting schemes and lots of funky elements scattered around the floor. Designers were able to combine all the elements from different eras tastefully to give a cohesive vibe to the whole space. And I personally love the fact that this bar is all about sports. You can do billiards, darts, watch your favorite sports events from the huge TVs, or have quality time with friends at the M Lounge or VIP rooms.” 

Paolo Del Rosario
Head of Del Rosario Home

UMA NOTA, Shangri-la The  Fort, BGC
“I love the design of Uma Nota - stylish and contemporary design with an open plan so you can people watch,” says Del Rosario of the Brazilian-Japanese restaurant. The space was designed by Dubai-based Asmaa Said of architecture and design practice The Odd Duck Studio and features a floating tree and designer furniture.

BANK BAR 
"Even if it’s older it still looks current which goes to show good design does not grow old."

Keith A. Brown
Designer at Keith A Brown Designs 

THE WHISKEY LIBRARY, Newport World Resorts 
Located at Newport Resorts World, The Whiskey Library incorporates dark wood, brick walls and chandeliers to create a sexy atmosphere for a drink. “For some, the distance from Makati makes it unappealing, for others it makes it desirable," says Brown. "The design is on point, the offerings top notch, and it’s a chance to escape the Insta and Tik Tok crowd."

Also read: The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Manila, According to Design Pros