Fun and entertainment Luzon

Tinted windows, staff shaking their heads... you've not mistaken the door: this is the rock bar on this side of town. Every night, a band - more or less professional - to make you live evenings filled with guitar riffs, Nirvana covers and music that makes your eardrums vibrate. The program varies from night to night, so does our opinion. In any case, it's a good place to start the evening with friends, if you like this kind of atmosphere, animated and not fancy for a penny.

Papakape, which means "to offer coffee" in Tagalog, is an old garage that has been renovated into a glass shack that houses a coffee bar. With a very small garden with lush vegetation, hidden in the heart of Makati. The few tables are very pleasant, and it is very quiet. On the menu, mainly coffees but also some juices and iced teas. The coffees are few but some recipes are quite original and greedy as the coffee infused with ginger and declined in hot or cold versions.

Even before you enter, you're drawn in by the delirious vastness and glitz of the place. The casino in the gigantic City of Dreams complex (which includes several hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, etc.) opened in 2015 and is accessible to all players (of age of course). No less than 365 tables await you, with all the usual games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette or poker, as well as more than 1,600 slot machines. It's all part of a great Las Vegas-style night out in the capital of the Philippines.

Nestled on the rooftop of TRYP, next to the grand Mall of Asia, Encaramada has probably one of the best 360-degree views of Manila Bay. At sunset time, the show is a real enchantment. In terms of atmosphere, no loud music or hubbub, the place is ideal for a quiet drink after a tiring day of pacing the streets of bustling Manila. On the menu, cocktails, beers, wines and refreshing fruit juices, plus some tapas. One comes there above all for the sight.

Hidden at the end of the charming San Luis alley, itself very discreet from the main street in front of the San Agustin church, this café is definitely a secret. Nestled in the heart of an alcove, it seems to have come straight out of the Spanish era, with its pretty old-fashioned decoration and wooden furniture. We recommend it to quench your thirst during the day and not to eat. Enjoying a refreshing drink on its romantic and quiet patio is to forget, for a moment, that you are in one of the most dense and noisy cities in the world.

Nestled in the heart of Poblacion, this bar is known for being one of the best places to have a drink (and preferably a cocktail!) in the capital. In fact, they've had their own distillery since 2016 and make original and unique liquors and spirits made from local plants. There are happy hours from 5pm to 8pm, an extensive cocktail menu and some are very original. The preparation of the cocktails is a show in itself.

A new address for coffee fans! In the San Luis passage, this modern and trendy coffee bar displays a neat decoration with paintings hung on its wooden and white brick walls. It is the ideal place for a small stop in the peace. Some tempting pastries, cookies, all possible coffee variations and other drinks like a delicious hibiscus lemonade or various milkshakes. The prices are quite cheap. An unpretentious address but full of charm.

This is Manila's first (and only) Costa Rican bar. Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere is relaxed, the color palette yellow, green and red is dominant and Latin and reggae music, regularly featuring live concerts, is king. The musical program is updated weekly, and can be seen on their social networks. The terrace is very pleasant and, unsurprisingly, is quickly occupied at weekends by tourists and locals alike. People come for the cocktails, the music, the terrace and, of course, the atmosphere... pura vida.

In the heart of Poblacion, the former red light district that has become the place to be, The Social is a friendly and atypical open-air space. Structured around colorful converted containers, it consists of three world food stands, a pop up store and a bar on two floors where, once the night falls, locals and tourists mix to party. With its big mural, the decoration is clearly urban street and art is the key word. Relaxed atmosphere for a good-natured evening.

A pleasant address for breakfast or lunch. It is possible to eat outside, in the quiet of the pleasant terrace located at the back of the store. Prices are reasonable for breakfast and pasta dishes, but coffee drinks are a little more expensive than elsewhere. Its location, close to the airport on Rizal Avenue, and the efficient wifi make it a convenient place for a work and/or relaxation break. The staff is particularly nice and welcoming, and the atmosphere is pleasant.

On the bus back home, they will probably try to sell you a buko pie, or coconut pie. The tastiest is the one from Loumars, known for its crispy pastry and beautiful golden color. Available everywhere in Tagaytay. A very Filipino specialty that you must try! Loumars also serves great fruit pies and a wide selection of Filipino dishes. The place is very nice, all in rattan wood and bamboo, open on the nature. Friendly atmosphere.

The Mambo Beach Bar, on Lio beach, is the beach bar par excellence at any time of the day or night! At noon, for a shady lunch, based on sushis, paellas and burgers, at the end of the afternoon for an aperitif, feet in the sand (or in the pool!) sipping a cocktail or a beer while contemplating the sunset, and finally at night, during one of the organized evenings (often around the full moon for example) to let yourself be carried away by the music, electro or commercial, and to party with other travelers and Filipinos

If you come with a group, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this typical buffet prepared with the participation of Chef Aklay (his local nickname), a Frenchman living in the area and a pastry chef by training. Andrew and Binggirl, an Igorot couple, welcome you to their comfortable cottage. On the menu: smoked sausages and beers made from local ingredients by the fire. This artisanal brewery hidden in the pines is also open to all in the late afternoon for a beer. A very convivial experience!

In this creperie, which has become a bit of an institution and is always crowded, the waiters who wear berets serve you crepes accompanied by cider. Perfect if you are already nostalgic or just want a change from the Filipino cuisine. On the sweet side, try the mango pancake (with mango ice cream on top!) and on the savory side, you can try the Dracula with garlic, cheese and tomatoes. Creative types can also create their own crepes. The French names on the menu alone are worth the detour.

A charming café with a whimsical and welcoming facade. It's a nice little place to have late breakfasts or even lunches (when it's open...the hours are not fixed). They propose very good omelets, longganisa, or chicken to be tasted with local rice and at a very reasonable price. And above all... Strawberry lovers, this place will be your new paradise: when it's in season, the strawberries grown on the spot are in all the dishes (yoghurt, pancakes, milkshakes...)!