14 things to do at night in Manila, Pasay and Parañaque

This story is presented by 

1. Have a pot of luck
If you love a good deal and are addicted to shabu shabu, head to Golden Fortune Seafood Restaurant in Manila’s Chinatown after 9pm and score a 30 per cent discount on all ingredients. As you wait for your hotpot to boil and bubble, nibble on their selection of dimsum—25 per cent off. If all you want is a nice hot soup, get a bowl of beef noodles is available for PHP98—down from PHP130. 1283 Soler St (G/F Peace Lodge), Binondo, Manila; www.facebook.com/goldenfortuneseafood, +63 2 2449304. Daily 7am-1am.

2. Get all fruity
If you’re having the midnight munchies but worry about how carbs could mess up your metabolism, try shopping for fresh fruits at picturesque San Andres Market. It may not be the cheapest in the market, but it’s the place to go to if you need to satisfy your cravings at 2am. San Andres cor Leveriza Sts, Malate, Manila. Daily 24/7.

BPI HOT TIP: Avoid turning your dinner out with friends into a messy financial affair. Offer to pay for the bill with your BPI credit card then ask your homies to transfer their share to your bank account using the BPI app.

3. Java good time
In July 2013, 78-year-old The Aristocrat Restaurant was awarded a historical marker. The legacy dish here is a three-piece chicken barbeque on a stick (PHP210) served with Java rice, atchara, and peanut sauce. Take in the sweet and smoky flavor of the meat, sit back and let your companions take you down memory lane as they recount family outings, date nights, homecoming and other events they’ve celebrated at this institution. 432 San Andres St, Malate, Manila; www.aristocrat.com.ph, +63 2 5247671. Daily 24/7. 

4. Happy oars
Journalists, photographers and artists like to hang out at Oarhouse Pub and Restaurant, a narrow, hole-in-the-wall bar located in one of Malate’s side streets. It’s one of the last remaining places that retains the indie vibe for which this district is known. Apart from ice-cold beers, there are also classic cocktails poured by one of the city’s veteran bartenders—before they started calling themselves mixologists. Old school, yo! 1688 Jorge Bocobo St, Malate, Manila; www.oarhousepub.com, +63 2 5167926. Mon-Thu 5pm-1:30am, Fri & Sat 5pm-2am.

5. Go artsy
Café Adriatico, the birthplace of Manila’s café society, is a popular stop for Manila’s culturati, particularly on nights there’s a major show at nearby Cultural Center of the Philippines. From 9pm to midnight every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a fortune teller named Madame Leni reads your future with her tarot cards (PHP500 per session).1790 M Adriatico St, Malate, Manila; www.ljcrestaurants.com.ph +63 2 7388220. Daily 7am-4am.

BPI HOT TIP: Snap Sports Bar is a souped-up drinks place that could put you in the mood for more than your promised two rounds. Be the responsible adult that you are and get ahead of the next day’s responsibilities. Before going to bed for your beauty rest, settle all the bills you promised to work on in the morning. Do it online, where it’s safer and more comfortable.

6. Say cheers!
Kill time watching the sports channel or having a go at the billiard table of Snap Sports Bar, the pub that never sleeps. If you can’t tell your cue ball from your stripes, head outdoors to the pool area and sit down on one of the plush pillows laid out beautifully on the lawn. Let the sound of crashing waves put you on relax mode while you enjoy your cocktail, hors d’oeuvre and fragrant shisha. CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City; www.sofitelmanila.com, +63 2 5515555. 

7. Look at the sky 
Manila’s skyline is not about high-rise buildings—it’s about the the sun casting an orange glow onto the stretch of Manila Bay at 6pm. From Sky Deck View Bar, you can also admire the architecture of the Walled City, built by the Spanish in the 16th century, and marvel at the lights of the nearby Port Area. Adding to this magical atmosphere are nightl live band music and a menu of cocktail drinks that make the best of local ingredients. Feeling the munchies? There’s also a buffet. The Bayleaf Hotel, Muralla corner Victoria Sts, Intramuros, Manila; www.bayleaf.com.ph, +63 2 3189000. Daily 5:30pm-11pm.

8. Bargain shop till you drop
Divisoria is the go-to place for bargain hunters and at night it has the added allure of being a foodie paradise. After 7pm, head to the old Tutuban railway station along CM Recto Avenue and haggle away at the Tutuban Night Market, open until 2am. Stalls here sell shoes, garments, bags, fashion accessories and home furnishing—at bargain prices. Feeling peckish? Proceed to the back of Tutuban Center Mall 2 and sink your teeth into succulent grilled meats. Just look for the “Foodstreet” section, it’s open till midnight. CM Recto Ave, Tondo, Manila, +63 2 2531680.

BPI HOT TIP: Got extra cash for deposit? Put it all in the bank—yes, even at 2am. The BPI Express Deposit machines will let you do that. Quick! 

9. Visit an amusement park
If your idea of fun is going around in circles on board the largest Ferris wheel in the country, riding a bump car, or screaming your guts out while hanging upside-down from a roller coaster, then Star City is your paradise. If you’re not into thrill rides, Snow World simulates a winter wonderland complete with an ice slide. PHP65, entrance exclusive of rides and attractions; PHP420 ride-all-you-want pass exclusive of Snow World, Laser Blaster and Scream Avenue. CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City; www.starcity.com.ph, +63 2 8320307. Till 11pm.

10. Watch a movie
Kill the early hours of the morning at Newport Cinema. The four cinemas screen English and Tagalog movies non-stop on Fridays and Saturdays, and have 11pm or 12 midnight last full shows on weeknights. If insomnia is kicking in, watch whatever movie is screening at Cinema 1. PHP500 comes with unlimited popcorns and drinks, fully reclining seats and private cubicles for couples. Oh, behave! Resort World Manila, 100 Andrew Avenue, Newport City, Pasay City; www.reservation.rwmanila.com, +63 2 8380111.

11. Go cruising under the stars
This 1.5-hour dinner cruise shows you what Manila looks like from the other side of the bay. Providing conditions are favorable, you will be treated to a colorful sunset followed by the sparkling lights along Roxas Boulevard and Mall of Asia. There’s also live music on board and fireworks care of Mall of Asia if you go on the 6:15pm weekend cruise. The weekday cruise comes with a romantic sit-down dinner (PHP550), but if you both like to eat, go on a weekend (PHP650) and enjoy their buffet. Last cruise leaves at 8:15pm. www.corregidorphilippines.com, +63 2 4702222.

BPI HOT TIP: Don’t let your romantic date stop here. Take it one notch up with post-cruise drinks. Download the BPI app to help you locate the ATM nearest you.

12. Buy fresh flowers
From exotic tulips and calla lilies to chrysanthemums and roses, Dangwa Flower Market for blooms is the place to go when you want to feel like presenting someone with a bouquet at three in the morning. Located near University of Santo Tomas in Sampaloc, there are 50 vendors here who work around the clock supplying Manila’s flora needs. Coconuts tip: Nighttime is the best time to come here as that’s when the new stocks are freshly delivered. Dimasalang Road cor Dos Castillas Street, Sampaloc, Manila.

13. Say a little prayer
When you are in need of spiritual solace after midnight, then try going to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Shrine aka Baclaran Church. It’s the only church in Manila that never closes its door (not even when curfew was imposed during Martial Law). According to the church’s website, they received special permission from the Vatican to do this as long as they could assure the safety of devotees. You could also do some celebrity spotting as they usually come here to pray in the early morning in order to avoid being spotted by media. Redemptorist Road cor Roxas Boulevard Service Road, Baclaran, Parañaque; www.baclaranchurch.org; +63 2 8321150.

14. Prepare to be amazed
This popular variety show offers a mix of Broadway and off-Broadway musical numbers spiced up with Korean, Japanese and Chinese production numbers. As if that’s not enough to fill up one hour and ten minutes, Amazing Show also throws in one local folk dance number, a gentle reminder that you are in the Philippines. There is also a bit of audience participation as the performers will come down from stage and interact with the guests. You can have your picture taken with the performers at the lobby after the show, though a little tip is expected if you do. Manila Film Center, CCP Complex, Pasay City; www.amazing-show.com, +63 2 8348870. Tue-Sun 8pm.

This story is presented by BPI Express Online 24/7 banking. It’s easy to take complete control over your finances through BPI Express Online. With just a few clicks, you can experience the convenience of being able to do banking transactions instantly without the need to travel to or line up at a branch or payment center, any time of the day.