There’s nothing like appreciating a city from above, and if you love to drink after a particularly long day, double the experience by going to one of the rooftop bars in the neighborhood. Aside from, obviously, the breathtaking views that they offer, these bars are oftentimes less crowded and more laid-back than the ones down below. With some extra research (and cash), you can have a perfect night with unmatched ambiances, superb food, exquisite drinks, and of course—great views. Below, I have compiled a list of 10 awesome rooftop bars in Metro Manila. I’m willing to share these secrets with you, as long as you promise me you won’t beat me to my usual table.
1 | Mireio @ Raffles Hotel, Makati
9th Level Raffles Makati Hotel, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Ave., Makati City
+632.795.0707
Experience the best of Makati City with Mireio Terrace, Raffles Makati's rooftop bar offering a sweeping view of the city. Here, globetrotters and professionals hangout, sometimes working and more often, chilling after a long day. The lineup of libations is exquisite, the bar chow list extensive. Watch out for their Happy Hour promotions that change regularly—from unlimited wine and oysters and free-flow champage to endless pours of rosé and beers. The ambience is unmatched, and the sunset view simply stunning.
Best for: taking out your clients, romantic dates, after-work chill session with friends
The Alcoholic’s Tip: take advantage of their superb Happy Hour promotions (5:00 to 8:00PM daily)
Price point: ₱₱₱₱₱
Mireio Restaurant full review: Raffles Makati Opens Mirèio, a new French Dining Destination in Manila
2 | VU's Sky Lounge @ Marco Polo Ortigas
45th Floor, Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas, Meralco Ave. and Sapphire St., Ortigas Centre, Pasig City
+632.720.7777
If you seek an upscale hangout spot in Ortigas, VU’s Sky Lounge at the 45th floor of Marco Polo Manila is the place to visit. With two alfresco areas offering stunning views of Pasig and Mandaluyong cities, the elegant, dimly-lit bar stands high and proud in the midst of the business district. VU’s has an extensive selection of tapas, cocktails, spirits, wines, and beers.
Best for: a casual date over tapas and drinks; taking a client out; hosting an important guest
The Alcoholic’s Tip: they have salsa nights every Saturday along with a Latin American buffet
Price point: ₱₱₱₱₱
3 | The 6th Pool Bar @ Novotel Manila
6/F, Novotel Manila Araneta Center, General Aguinaldo Ave, Cubao, Quezon City
+632.990.7888
A DJ's booth in front of a swimming pool? YES, PLEASE! Add that to the fact that the bar is just nearby, and you have the formula of a perfect night in Quezon City. Novotel Manila's bar and lounge located at the 6th floor offers delicious snacks, well-made cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits—all yours to enjoy inside where the ambiance is similar to sports bars, or outside while enjoying the breeze and the pool view (and the sight of the occasional superstar musician checked-in at the hotel and performing at SMART Araneta Coliseum).
Best for: a more upscale but still fairly affordable hangout session in Quezon City
The Alcoholic’s Tips: there are pool parties on selected nights, where a DJ plays on the booth; the Watermelon Mojito and Frozen Strawberry Margarita are must-tries
Price point: ₱₱₱
4 | The Penthouse 8747
1209, 8747 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
+63917.801.0655
Currently one of the hippest rooftop bars in Makati, The Penthouse 8747 caters to a wide range of customers: from yuppies working nearby eager for a nightcap to models and DJs unwinding after a long day. The Great Gatsby-inspired interiors are classy, the heavy furniture adding to the super stylish ambiance. Great music, interesting crowd, and reasonably-priced food and drinks.
Best for: relaxed chill-out sessions with friends
The Alcoholic’s Tip: it can be slightly hot here, so make sure you leave your leather jackets behind
Price point: ₱₱₱₱
5 | Firefly Deck @ City Garden Grand Hotel
32/F City Garden Grand Hotel, 8008 Makati Ave. cor. Kalayaan Ave., Makati City
+632.888.8181
High above what is probably the busiest street of Makati is Firefly Deck—City Garden Grand Hotel’s rooftop bar located at the 32nd floor. Offering a wide range of bar grub as well as a delicious Spanish-Mongolian buffet, Firefly is one of my personal favorite discoveries this year. The staff is great, and the 180-degree view of Makati is unparalleled.
Best for: avoiding the city traffic after office hours; relaxed catch-up sessions with friends
The Alcoholic’s Tip: every Wednesday and Friday from 6:00PM to 10:00PM, a band plays at Firefly’s Sunset Match
Price point: ₱₱₱
6 | Z Hostel Roofdeck
5660 Don Pedro, Makati City
+632.856.0851
photo credit: Z Hostel Philippines |
If you love to drink, dance, and meet travelers, you have probably gone to Z Hostel and you probably loved it. it’s amazing how such a small space can get so filled with people, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Cheap beer and cocktails mingle with street food, as guests chatter excitedly with other partygoers visiting the bar or with foreigners checked in at the hostel. My couchsurfer friend always takes his guests here—and his success rate at making his guests happy is at 99%.
Best for: meeting new friends
The Alcoholic’s Tip: you need a Z Hostel RFID bracelet to purchase drinks at the bar, with a minimum load of PhP300
Price point: ₱₱
7 | Bunk
8/F, Jovan Buillding, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City
Don’t be fooled by the decrepit, scary building at the corner of Samat Street and Shaw Boulevard. It houses one of the nicest rooftop bars in the metro: Bunk Bar. The Berlin-inspired bar and restaurant serves amazingly affordable grub and drinks, perfect for people who just need a great time high above the city. It also doubles as an art gallery, so expect to meet a hipster-ish crowd.
Best for: enjoying cheap food and beer with a good ambience
The Alcoholic’s Tip: being an artists’ hub, Bunk is a place to meet new interesting people
Price point: ₱₱
8 | 71 Gramercy
71st Floor, Gramercy Residences, Kalayaan cor. Salamanca St., Century City, Makati City
0917.847.7535
For people with the moolah, 71 Gramercy is undeniably the nicest hangout place in Makati. Located at the 71st floor of Gramercy Residences, it certainly offers the best view of Makati. Oversized couches, private spaces, intimate lighting and expensive drinks give the highest bar in Manila that feel of exclusivity.
Best for: posh night-outs with party buddies
The Alcoholic’s Tip: more than the drinks and the beautiful crowd, 71 Gramercy serves amazing food
Price point: ₱₱₱₱₱
9 | Pacific Lounge
21/F M. Adriatico St., cor. Gen. Malvar St., Malate, Manila
+632.318.0788/Toll-free: 1800.8908.6362/1800.1441.0621
Experience a different side of Manila with Pan Pacific Manila’s rooftop lounge. With sweeping views of the city from full walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, Pacific Lounge is a place worthy of checking out when you’re in Malate. It doubles as the hotel's buffet area, but window-side seats guarantee a bit of privacy. The gazebo built beside the gardens and fountains is the best spot for some shisha.
Best for: business dates and impressing clients
The Alcoholic’s Tip: every first weekend of the month, the restaurant serves an exquisite Arabic buffet
Price point: ₱₱₱₱
Bars I haven’t tried but definitely trying soon:
10 | Sky Deck @ The Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros, Manila
photo credit: The Bayleaf Intramuros |
What are your favorite rooftop spots in Manila? Can you add anything to this list?
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