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(SPOT.ph) Poblacion, Makati has built a reputation as one of Metro Manila’s premier nightlife destinations. But to see it merely as a glittering party hub is a disservice to its centuries-long history, and to the variety of establishments and traditions that make the neighborhood so vibrant.
To the unacquainted as well as fellow “Pobla” regulars looking for new things to do, here are lesser-known spots and activities to check out—all in one day.
One of Poblacion’s best-kept secrets is the freshly baked bread from Element Boutique Hotel. While they’ve stopped making their heavenly croissants (consider this a friendly petition to bring them back), their baguettes and house bread, paired simply with French butter and sea salt, are not to be missed. Rumor has it Element supplies their bread to other establishments in the metro, including French brasserie Sagana, Spanish restaurant La Pícara, and more. The owners of the boutique hotel also have an impressive figure painting collection, which are displayed all around the four-storey building.
Between partygoers and coffee lovers, it’s a toss up who is more spoiled for choice. The third wave coffee scene in Poblacion is popping, and the best part is that behind each novel concept is a local entrepreneur. Ladies and gentlemen, please forego your standard Starbucks order here.
Whether for survival or a mere coincidence, another unique feature shared by many cafés in the area is that they transform from day to night. Café by day, bar by night—so describes coffee shop-cum-sourdough viennoiserie and craft beer bar Good Sh*t Coffee, neighborhood institution Commune, Hong Kong-themed Bolo Coffee Club, industrial chic designed Assembly Hall, and two-storey social club Annex House.
Speaking of two-in-one concepts, Flower Ranch Café sells a delightful assortment of fresh and dried blooms alongside its coffee; while Coffee Artea is adorned with photographs and artworks for sale.
Must tries include the guava cheese roll from Good Sh*t Coffee, the leche flan latte from Annex House, the campfire latte from Assembly Hall, the orange masala chai from Flower Ranch Café, and the horchata manchado from Coffee Artea.
An anomaly in car-centric Metro Manila, Poblacion has a disproportionate number of stores that cater to cyclists. Built Cycles is more than just a purveyor of bike frames and accessories; here you will find cyclists convene for weekend rides or just to socialize. Homegrown outerwear brand Groundwork Cycling also has its headquarters in the area.
Many of the cafés mentioned above have set aside bike parking for some of their most frequent customers. Whether or not you are a biker, perusing these shops is worthwhile if only to marvel at quality local craftsmanship and the power of cycling communities to boost business bottom lines.
Also read: This Hole-in-the-Wall Poblacion Store Was Made by Bikers for Bikers
It’s never too late to pick up a new craft. Learn to work with clay at Pottery Sessions or tuft your own rug at Bad Eye Deli (check their Instagram accounts for workshop dates).
Art patrons, as well as the artistically challenged, can instead opt to visit the gallery exhibits at Kondwi, Cloudscape, and private social club The Astbury.
Don’t fret, this is not an attempt to switch anyone to veganism. Cosmic has some of the tastiest Filipino food in the Metro, full stop. What’s more, their food comes at an affordable price point, with dishes priced between P100 to P300. Standout dishes include the sisig, the kare-kare with bagnet, and the chili garlic rice. If you’re in the mood for non-local cuisine, Hummus Elijah categorically has the best hummus in town, which can be paired with the shakshouka or the bureka.
Poblacion was the very first settlement of Makati, dating back to the early 1600s. Learn about the city’s captivating history at the Museo ng Makati. The museum, which used to be the seat of the local government, showcases historical artifacts of the city and is itself a site to behold. The museum also offers free guided tours of Poblacion every Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can sign up for the tour online.
Those who prefer to do a self-guided tour can walk around the area and look for Saints Peter and Paul Church—the 400-year-old mother parish of Makati, named after the town’s patron saint, San Pedro—the Plaza Cristo Rey, the Poblacion Public Market, and the ancestral homes along JP Rizal.
Even as the Pasig River Urban Development project takes another three years to complete, visitors can already enjoy picturesque views of the river by walking along the existing esplanade to the Poblacion River Park.
A light lunch calls for a heavy meal, and there are options for every craving. From Mexican like Only Pans and El Chupacabra, to Korean in Min Sok and Jumong, choices abound. Some of the area’s other beloved culinary favorites include Thai street food haunt, Khao Kai, modern Filipino restaurant, Lampara, and Aklan oyster bar, Wantusawa.
A day in Poblacion would not be complete without a night on the town. Here, there is something for every type of revelry seeker. For elevated cocktails and a cozy ambiance, check out multi-awarded Oto and the newly renovated Dr. Wine rooftop bar. Younger folk looking for a more upbeat scene can carouse at the web 3-themed Keepers Bar, Japanese-inspired watering hole Kampai, and Gen Z-favorite Apotheka. The natural wine craze taking over the world has also begun to infiltrate the neighborhood, with Bibio, Bombvinos Bodega, and Doodle & Co. opening their doors in recent months.
If you still have energy, or are looking for alternative activities, Poblacion has many alcohol-free options to offer. Social dancing happens from 8 p.m. onwards every night, with novices and experts alike dancing salsa, bachata, and quizomba. Sports enthusiasts can try out The Fun Roof—a neon cornucopia of adult arcade games, including a batting cage, mini golf, and feather bowling. The Spirits Library is known for its slate of live shows during its burlesque and jazz nights. Lastly, trivia fans can watch out for quiz nights at Alamat and Ugly Duck.
Poblacion is crowded almost every weekend, but anyone who’s gone out on the most notorious of boozy holidays will tell you just how jampacked and rowdy the streets get during three occasions in particular: St. Patrick’s Day in March, Cinco de Mayo in May, and Halloween in October. These street parties are not for the faint of heart, but they are certainly worth experiencing at least once, if only to witness the neighborhood closed off from vehicular traffic and the merrymaking that ensues.
Perhaps the only other occasion that can match the nighttime bustle is Holy Week. A century-old tradition, Pabasa sees local residents set up kalbaryos around the barangay. These makeshift altars convey the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and are accompanied by chants and prayers over a three-day period. The tradition culminates in a special Easter procession called the Salubong, which features life-sized religious statues on carriages and colorful performances from different members of the community.
The annual French music and arts festival takes place in various parts of the Philippines every June, with Poblacion regularly hosting pocket stages. Memorable stages to look out for from previous years including the Latin, Blues Soul Funk and the Dream Pop stages. Did we mention that it’s free?
For two years and counting, The Build Start-up Festival has gathered the Philippine tech ecosystem in Poblacion for a series of talks and mixers. Poblacion has become the unofficial start-up hub of the country, with local start-ups and investors located in and around the neighborhood. Tech enthusiasts can keep their eyes peeled every March for this landmark event, during which regional stakeholders fly in just for the week.
The Philippine drag scene has experienced somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, with local shows Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den entering the mainstream. Draper Startup House and Hoesik are known to host performances, viewing parties, and meet and greets for the drag queens and their burgeoning fanbase.
Originally from Laguna, Raya has been a proud Poblacion resident for the last 5 years. She’s a tech investor by day, and a serial hobbyist by night. You can find her riding her bike with cycling community Cultish.
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