11 Gastro Pubs & Bars In Poblacion, Makati Where You Can Enjoy A Night Of Eating, Drinking, & Partying

Gastro pubs & bars in Poblacion, Makati

The gastro pubs and bars in Poblacion, Makati are famous for social drinking and partying. The crowds in the area are often a mix of Makati’s community of expats, celebrities, and young adults who enjoy the nightlife.

If you’re looking to drink around Pob, here are some places you could try out for a fun night out:

1. Alamat – enjoy Filipino food and craft beer

The bar area of Alamat.
Image credit: Alamat Filipino Cuisine via Facebook

Everything in Alamat, from its interiors to the drinks and food menu, is an homage to Filipino heritage. The bar lights bouncing off the woven nipa ceiling and other wooden furniture are a unique sight. Here, you can get different craft beers straight from the tap, so the flavors stay strong and crisp. You can order fruit-based beers and strong pilsners starting at P300 (~USD5.36).

Some of the dishes at Alamat, and the al fresco dining area.
Image adapted from: Alamat Filipino Cuisine via Facebook, Alamat Filipino Cuisine via Facebook

They also serve elevated versions of classic Filipino dishes, including binagoongan (P545, ~USD9.74), pork belly stewed in shrimp paste, and bistek (P645, ~USD11.52), beef belly in citrusy soy and red wine sauce with caramelized onions. You can also try their 10-hour sous vide pork belly BBQ, glazed with banana barbecue sauce.

Address: 2/F, 5666 Don Pedro, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Tue-Thu, Sun 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-4am (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 0917 306 2024 | Facebook

2. H&J Sports Bar and Restaurant – play billiards & watch ball games

A billiard table in H&J.
Image credit: H&J Sports Bar via Google Maps

Those who love to get into sports discussions over drinks would appreciate H&J Sports Bar and Restaurant. This bar has multiple TV screens playing different sports in every corner, so you can enjoy watching US football, basketball, baseball, and other sports while having a drink with friends or even other friendly patrons of the place.

Tables and booths inside the sports bar.
Image credit: H&J Sports Bar and Restaurant via Google Maps

You can also rent one of their billiards tables to play while enjoying your favorite liquor. The place has a decent amount of space, so it doesn’t get too cramped even during busy weekend nights. The interior is dimly lit, with cushioned wooden seats, tables, and plenty of sports memorabilia on the walls. If you’re into chill drinking nights, this your next go-to place.

Address: 5781 Felipe, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 2pm-5am | Fri-Sun Open 24 hours
Contact: (02) 7954 1130 | Facebook

3. Pura Vida – dance all night at a Costa Rican reggae bar

The dance floor in Pura Vida.
Image credit: Pura Vida Manila via Facebook

Party goers love to frequent Pura Vida for the energy of the entire place— from the reggae dance mixes by seasoned DJs to occasional live bands and the crowd of like-minded people. You’ll find the bar on the second floor and go up a stairway lined with reggae posters and images, making it a favorite Instagram-worthy spot among patrons.

Costa Rican dishes with cocktails and the lower ground of Pura Vida.
Image credit: Pura Vida Manila via Facebook

Right in the heart of Pura Vida is their bar, where you can get commercial drinks, Pura Vida’s craft beer, tequila shots, and more cocktails. You can also chow down on delectable Costa Rican dishes such as Taco Ticos, a deep-fried corn tortilla filled with tender pulled pork paired with a refreshing Ceviche. This spot is right for you if you want an exciting night of partying.

Address: Ground Floor, 8456 Kalayaan Avenue cor Doña Carmen Street, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 2pm-2am, Daily
Contact: 0927 676 3736 | Facebook

4. El Chupacabra – authentic Mexican grub in Makati

The facade of El Chupacabra.
Image credit: El Chupacabra via Facebook

El Chupacabra is another Poblacion favorite because they serve authentic Mexican street food. They even have a local taco expert who ensures you’re getting the real deal, so don’t expect ground beef with cheese on hard shell tacos here.

Instead, you’ll have freshly made soft corn tortillas filled with either carne asada (grilled beef), carnitas (pulled pork), lengua (beef tongue), pollo (chicken), pescado (fish), camaron (shrimp), chorizo, barbacoa and tripa (intestines). Combine that with chopped onions, fresh cilantro, and a zingy fresh salsa, and you’ve got yourself a real Mexican taco right in Makati.

Tacos, margarita, and one of the many murals inside the pub.
Image credit: El Chupacabra via Facebook, Richard Fransisco via Google Maps

Our personal favorites include the chimichanga (deep-fried burrito) (P314, ~USD5.61) and carne asada taco (P165, ~USD2.95), which pairs really well with an ice-cold beer, or a couple of tequila shots.

El Chupacabra has a dive bar vibe with rustic furniture and Mexican-inspired murals. Visit this spot for authentic Mexican food, reasonably priced drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere.

Address: 5782 Felipe Street, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 11am-11pm, Daily
Contact: (02) 7729 3358 | Facebook

5. West32 – Korean-American fusion bar

Diners at West32 Poblacion taking pictures of their drinks.
Image credit: @west32koreanrestaurant via Instagram

Pob has plenty of low-key dive bars, but if you’re looking for something a bit more modern and posh, West 32 is the place you should visit. It’s a new fusion bar and resto that brings a Korean-New Yorker aesthetic and flavors to the Metro. When you walk inside the space, you’ll notice the raw concrete finish on the walls combined with incomplete subway tiles, juxtaposed with tables with soju-bottle green specks, which completes the edgy design they’re going for.

Stone Bowl Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap & West32 Samgyeopsal.
Image credit: West32 Poblacion

Enjoy their wide selection of cocktails starting at P250 (~USD4.47). Then, fill up on K-food staples such as beef bulgogi (P499, ~USD8.92), bibimbap (from P599, ~USD10.70), Korean fried chicken (from P349, ~USD6.24), and Samgyeopsal (from P499, ~USD8.92). If you’re looking for a sit-down place where you can enjoy high-quality Korean food and drinks, try out this spot.

Address: 8464 II-A Kalayaan Avebue, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 6pm-2am (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 0917 173 2024 | Facebook

6. Futur:st – dance club and safe space for artists & LGBTQ+ community

The dance floor inside the Futur:st.
Image credit: Futur:st via Facebook

The Futur:st (Futurist) was a branch of a well-known queer speakeasy in Cubao called TodayXFuture. Nowadays, it stands alone and keeps the legacy of the artist and queer-friendly space that started in Cubao. It carries the same ambiance, highlighting eccentric artworks that change depending on which artist is on showcase.

A couple of dishes at Futur:st & their facade.
Image adapted from: Futur:st via Facebook, @futurist.ph via Instagram

When you walk into the establishment, you’ll notice the DJ booth directly next to the entrance door and a shiny disco ball spinning in the middle of the ceiling on top of a small dance floor. Limited seating on the first and second floors invites people to move around and dance to the DJ’s mixes.

For the drinks, aside from your standard pilsners, we recommend trying out the My Shirota (P300, ~USD5.36), a refreshing cocktail made of soju and Yakult, sure to fuel your dance moves and social skills all night long.

Address: 5062 Guerrero Street, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon–Sat, 2pm-2am | Sun 3pm-12pm
Contact: 0928 520 9102 | website

7. Filling Station – neon-lit US-style diner and bar

Filling Station in Poblacion, Makati.
Image credit: Filling Station Bar Cafe via Facebook

If you ever find yourself walking the main streets of Poblacion, you definitely wouldn’t miss the Filling Station. The theme of the diner and bar is straightforward, from the bright neon lights outside to the intentional kitschy 50s-60s US diner memorabilia filling every corner of the place.

Milkshakes and chicken & waffles.
Image credit: Filling Station Bar Cafe via Facebook

Live your Riverdale or Grease fantasies of hanging out at a diner, complete with the red cushioned booths, jukebox music player, and tall milkshakes (from P295, ~USD5.27) with the little cherry on top. You can also munch on diner classics such as loaded potato skins (P260, ~USD4.65), buffalo wings (P440, ~USD7.86), and all-day American breakfast (P440, ~USD7.86) complete with diner-style scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, hashbrown, and toast.

You can enjoy cocktails that cost from P235 (~USD4.20) per glass and P900 (~USD16.09) for a pitcher. This quirky spot in Pob is a favorite hang-out for those looking to have IG-worthy night-out photos.

Address: 5012 P. Burgos Street, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: 0917 833 7837 | Facebook

8. Antidote – Rooftop bar with a great view of the Makati skyline

Bird’s eye view of Antidote.
Image credit: Antidote via Facebook

Poblacion is a stone’s throw away from the Makati central business district, giving rooftop bars like the Antidote a fantastic city skyline. This gastropub is a favorite spot for date nights because of the romantic ambiance of drinking and dining under the stars. But don’t worry if you’re single, because this spacious rooftop bar also caters to large groups and even private parties.

The view at the roof deck.
Image credit: Antidote via Facebook

Sit back and relax while enjoying the unobstructed view of the night skies with their multitude of drink options, including canned beers such as Hoegaarden (P300, ~USD5.36) and Stella Artois (P400, ~USD7.14); single shot scotch or whiskey is priced around P220 (USD3.93), and different kinds of wine starting at P1,790 (~USD31.96) per bottle.

Address: Roofdeck, I’M Hotel, 7862 Makati Avenue, Makati, Metro Manila
Operating hours: Sun-Thu 5pm-2am | Fri-Sat 6pm-3am
Contact: (02) 7755 7888 | website 

– More gastropubs and bars in Makati –

9. 78-45-33 – chill, jazz-themed bar

Image credit: O Phoomwit – PK6 via Google Maps

If you’re looking for more chill spots to drink, consider deviating from the Poblacion neighborhood and into the Makati Central Business District.

78-45-33 is a bar in Salcedo Village that not a lot of people know of, giving it an intimate vibe. It’s an audiophile’s haven too, with superb acoustics that lets you enjoy jazz music.

Image credit: Johnny Benitez via Google Maps

They mostly serve classic cocktails (from P500, ~USD8.94) but you can try their very own Zoe’s Dirty Chocolate Cream Soda, the bar’s take on New York deli soda. You can also request a custom-made drink. For some light bar chow, get their highly-raved truffle popcorn (P250, ~USD4.47).

Address: Ground Floor (rear), 44 LPL Mansions, San Agustin Street, Makati, Metro Manila
Operating hours: 4pm-1am, Daily
Contact: (02) 8567 5025 | website

10. Agimat at Ugat Foraging Bar and Kitchen – inspired by local folklore

Image credit: H AJ via Google Maps

Agimat at Ugat‘s Filipino folklore and mythology theme will make you forget that you’re in the big city.

Agimat on the second floor is a party space with a faux balete tree and folk magic symbols – you’ll think you’re in a fantasy game. Meanwhile, the first floor, Ugat, is a fine-dining space that also serves alcohol for important dealings over drinks.

Poot ni Bathala cocktail.
Image credit: Agimat at Ugat Foraging Bar and Kitchen via Facebook

Both spots serve elevated takes on Filipino fare. They also offer impressive cocktails (from P300, ~USD5.36) made with Filipino culture-inspired liqueur and spirits from their own distillery, Destileria Barako.

Address: 5972 Alfonso corner Fermina Street, Makati, Metro Manila
Operating hours: 5pm-3am, Daily
Contact: 0960 388 2024 | website

11. Blind Pig – dimly lit and quiet speakeasy

Image credit: @itsrileyme via Instagram

Blind Pig is a Makati speakeasy so hidden you’ll have a little difficulty finding it.

Inside, it’s dimly lit and quiet, perfect for self-confessed titos and titas who can no longer bear flashing lights and loud music. It’s also great for those who want to keep to themselves as the bar has a rule not to approach other parties without consulting the bartender.

Image credit: @doraemmm via Instagram

They serve unique cocktails (from P495, ~USD8.85) and you can also ask for a custom drink based on the flavors you’re craving.

Address: 227 Salcedo, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila
Operating hours: 6pm-2am, Daily
Contact: 0917 5492264 | website

Where to drink in Poblacion, Makati

Metro Manila’s drinking and partying scene are so diverse that there are a lot of different spots you could go to depending on what you’re looking for.

Establishments, such as the pubs and bars in Poblacion we shared, let you enjoy the nightlife regardless if you want a chill drinking sesh, to dine on good food, or party all night long.

Explore other neighborhoods in Metro Manila and check out our guides to Cubao Expo in Quezon City and the historical walled city of Intramuros in Manila!

Cover image adapted from: Pura Vida Manila via Facebook, El Chupacabra via Facebook, and Antidote via Facebook

Article originally published on 27 July 2022 by Ella Enriquez. Last updated by Kim Shelley Tan on 14 June 2023.