This Poblacion Resident Shares His 8 Fave Spots For A Laid-Back Date Night In Makati’s Hottest Party District
An insider told me two years ago that Poblacion would be the next Club Street of Singapore or Lan Kwai Fong of Hong Kong and I thought to myself, “That would be extraordinary for Manila’s nightlife.” Now living nestled in a townhouse around the corner from Polilya, I see Poblacion sprouting up before my eyes in terms of commercial development, foot traffic, and, how could I leave out, noise. Back in October, I opened my gate to find Oktoberfest happening practically in my front yard. It’s now common to wake up on a Saturday morning and see cars everywhere with clamps on the wheels for parking illegally (about last night...).
Make no mistake, Poblacion is now a hot spot and there’s always a party happening somewhere in this Makati district. And this is no exception when it comes to planning the perfect date night. Here are my 8 favorite date night spots in Poblacion, the place I now call home.
Antidote
Roofdeck, I’M Hotel, 7862 Makati Avenue corner Kalayaan Avenue
I’m a sucker for a great view and being greeted by a tank full of exotic jellyfish upon arrival is always a plus. Spend date night on the rooftop of I’M Hotel overlooking Poblacion, but make sure to wear pants and closed-toe shoes or they’ll be sending you back down to the ground floor.
Run Rabbit Run
4991 P. Guanzon Street
If sipping craft cocktails is a pastime of yours, then Run Rabbit Run is a must-try stop in Poblacion. Cocktails are a bit pricey for Manila, but they don’t skimp on quality or service in my experience. The ambiance is perfect for playing footsie or practicing your flirtatious repertoire.
Backwell
Rockwell Drive corner Kalayaan Avenue
The beer is always cold, there’s gin from the bottom to the top shelf and the ambiance is cozy for you and your boo. Expect to pay a premium for this night out, but the weekend crowds point toward it being worth every peso.
Min Sok
5655 Don Pedro Street
A pioneer restaurant in Poblacion that has stood tall for over a decade, Min Sok has some of the best Korean BBQ in Manila (coming from someone who lived in Korea for 4 years), and the restaurant is owned by a lovely Korean family. Spend your night out throwing back shots of soju and eating premium cuts of BBQ and authentic kimchi, but pack a travel size Febreze if you plan on moving to a bar afterwards—not for your sake but for everyone else’s.
Photo from @danevangelista
Dr. Wine
G/F 5921 Algier Street
One of my favorite views in Poblacion is from the rooftop of Dr. Wine. It’s a picturesque setting for love birds to share a crisp, cool bottle of rosé and a charcuterie board while gazing out upon the illuminated cityscape.
Ebi 10
5779 Felipe Street
Japan is known for some of the best restaurants hidden in alleyways, just like Ebi 10. Grab a pair of chopsticks and enjoy the crunch of near-perfect tempura and say kanpai before downing a cool, refreshing selection of sake. Be prepared to wait in line though. The secret of Ebi 10 is out and people seem to think it’s worth the wait.
Royal Indian Curry House
5345 General Luna Street
Authentic and never anything short of a party-in-your-mouth, Royal Indian Curry House is the ideal spot for a rich Indian curry and naan (with samosas for appetizer if you’re especially ravenous). Afterwards, you can head to the top floor for hookah and music. If you need a little pica pica, try the cheese naan (you can thank me later).
Photo from @aaronisip
The Social on Ebro
5770 Ebro Street
If you’re looking for a chill spot where anyone in shorts and a T-shirt is welcomed and you can order pizza and a bevvie for less than P500, The Social on Ebro is the place for you. I often wind down my weekend on a Sunday night by frequenting this popular food park.
Photos from @thesocialebro and @runrabbitrunph
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