The Philippine capital is notorious for its all-hours nightlife – for a more sophisticated late-night tipple, try slinking into one of the city’s ‘secret’ bars. 

Located in Pasig, and tucked away in the outskirts of the business districts is RM-16, a speakeasy bar providing carefully concocted and curated cocktails, and your choice of bottled service. Visit on Wednesdays and Thursdays for some chill weekday drinking, then party with Manila's finest DJs on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Welcome to Thirsty Barber, where the drinks are strong, and the atmosphere is cozy. Step back in time to the roaring 1920s at this unique San Juan barbershop, where a speakeasy bar lies hidden behind a trick bookshelf. Get a fresh cut and shave from skilled barbers while enjoying the ambiance of the prohibition era. Then, slip through the secret entrance and savor great food, classic cocktails and good music in the comfy, dimly lit speakeasy. It is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

INT.Bar in Cubao Expo is both a film-inspired speakeasy hidden in a photobooth and a cafe. It features classic and signature cocktails and coffee, and multiple food options that are perfect for pairing drinks with. It has weekly events that include live DJ sets, jazz music, art exhibits, and film nights. 

In Bonifacio Global City, a certain convenience store’s stockroom door leads to Bank Bar, Manila’s topshelf drinking den known for its mysterious location, high ceilings, and well stocked bar. Alongside late-night bites that will make you want to stay for dinner, it serves one of the country’s largest tipple collections of alcohol, from hard-to-find whiskeys and small-batch gins to rare spirits ranging from mezcals to grappas and absinthe. Countless visits to Bank Bar, set to the beat of music curated by the legendary Anton Ramos, have started and ended with a rum-based Pinay Colada or Mariang Bastos, two of its signature cocktails. It’s a space that can transform from one moment to the next, welcoming quiet dusk drinkers and late-night troublemakers alike.

RM-16 / 16 E Capitol Dr, Pasig / 5:00 pm to 1:00 am / Wednesdays to Saturdays

Thirsty Barber / 200 Wilson, San Juan / 5:00 pm to 2:00 am / Tuesdays to Sundays

INT.Bar / Cubao Expo, Cubao, Quezon City / 9:00 am to 12:30 am / Open Daily

Bank Bar / 26th and 25th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig / 5:00 pm to 2:00 am / Tuesdays to Saturdays