MANILA (National Capital Region) -- area code (63-2)

The intersection of Maria Orosa St and Julio Nakpil St in Malate is the "X marks the spot" center of gay Manila. The whole street is lined with various gay establishments. From Orosa Street, it’s only five minutes walk to The Library on Adriatico Street. There are of course other gay establishments in Metro Manila, but they are widely spread over this mega city. In Malate however, all bars are within five minutes from each other, very similar to the Silom area in Bangkok.

Malate map courtesy of Kjell!

• A-Cue-Stix Bar & Bistro (mixed)
  2317 Leon Guinto St, Malate, 525-6084, email. Very gay-friendly club with a jazz/lounge feel. The main bar has a billiard table and an executive type bar. The bistro serves up some of Manila's favorite dishes along with international ones as well. On 2/F is sing-a-long, live bands, and standup comedy acts. The club sees many Filipino celebs. Open Mon-Sat till late. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "A-Cue-Stix Bar & Bistro is a nice place to spend a quiet evening or to have a date. The music is not too loud, so you can have a nice conversation without having to scream and lose your voice." -- RAW, May 13, 2008

• Aura Sing-Along & Comedy Bar
  92 C. Raymundo Ave, Sagad, 091-5711-7873, email. This gay-friendly sing-along and comedy bar welcomes everyone. Utopia Member Discount
• Butterfly
  265F Tomas Morato (corner of Sct. Fernandez), Quezon City, 091-6895-0933, email. You'll spot the blue butterfles on the glass frontage. A cozy gay-owned hangout where everybody gets to know everybody. You don't have to be somebody else, just come as you are. No hang-ups here! Dress up or dress down. They also feature art exhibits, movie nights and weekend dance parties. Private parties welcome. Social connections here are on a friendship basis. Utopia Member Discount
• Che'lu (mixed)
  Ma. Orosa cor. J. Nakpil St, Malate. A convenient and cost-friendly venue for sing-alongs, private parties and lots of booze. Popular joint to start up or cap off your night life. Same owner/management as of Jefz Café & E (Epitome) Men's Club.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Che'lu is a great bar with oh so friendly people. I would suggest it for tourists and visitors." -- mikejersey, Oct 19, 2007

• Comic Lab
  J. Bocobo St. Same owner as The Library and similar in concept to The Library and Punchline.
• D.tour Blue Lounge
  Shaw Boulevard (see map on their website), 531-4601, email. An exclusive and discreet venue for the male gay and bisexual community. A convenient atmosphere to interact with other men, build friendships, exchange ideas, and create a network of peers. D.tour is not an 'open canteen' business. Like other exclusive establishments it imposes standards with an emphasis on exclusivity, discreetness and distinction. Utopia Member Discount
• Jail House
  Near Timog Avenue. Karaoke and live singing.
• Jefz Cafe (mixed)
  Malate (ground Level of Hotel Solanie). Renovated with new cool look. Cards can be exchanged among consenting adults.
• The Library (mixed)
  Remedios Circle, Adriatico St. Upscale and non-commercial meeting place. Live music and karaoke sing-alongs. The place is jam-packed with a trendy, young crowd of mostly straights. Not really much of a place for gays anymore although there are still some who hang out in and outside of the place.
• Punchline (mixed)
  Quezon Avenue,Quezon City.
• White Bird
  715b Blvd Galleria, Roxas Bld, Paranaque City, 851-2088, 851-2089, email. Disco theater and karaoke. Utopia Member Discount.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The cover charge at White Bird was P$600 and didn't include any drinks. Two drink minimum with prices about P$100-200 per drink. So it's something like P$1000 just to hang around." -- john2006, Oct 27, 2006

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Manila gay life explodes where Maria Orosa St meets Napkil St! Entering Orosa St, on your left you'll find 3 gay pubs, with fashion spots and commercials at the entrance. These are TOP&BOTTOM, Melania, and Che'lu. At the opposite side of the street there's a small square where you can easily spot the 6-color gay flag on the front door of The Rainbow Project, one of the most interesting pubs in Malate for its cute guys and intensive sights. Very close to the Rainbow Project is BED, the gay disco. I also went to Embassy, another pub in Global City." -- italy4u, Mar 3, 2007

  "Rip-off at a place called Big Pappas (near EDSA complex in Pasay). P$300 cover charge (no drinks) and no shows till 10pm. I arrived early and the queen hostess wanted me to order drinks till the show started in an hour and maybe buy some guy drinks (something like P$300-400 each)." -- john2006, Oct 27, 2006

  "I just visited Manila and tried out Malate. I was there September 2 and went to FAB, and BED. I got bored in Fab maybe because it was just a Fri. Then I went to BED, it was overhyped, but the guys were cute. I like the aquarium-divided urinals, and could see BIG BIG fishes, LOL. I'll be back in Manila. The guys were also good flirts, sexy, and good conversationalists. They also know what is NO and what is YES. Salut tout le monde!" -- riverrobles, Sep 13, 2005

• Amazing Philippine Theatre
  Manila Film Center (Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex), Roxas Blvd, Pasay City, 834-8870, FAX 834-8871, email. Nightly transgender extravaganza at the refurbished Manila Film Center.

• Bed
  Oroso Courtyard (Orosa/Nakpil intersection, next to the New York Café), Malate, 404-3662, email. Getting to Bed from Makati by cab is cheap. This is the place for drinking and dancing away the weekend. Sexy and wild party atmosphere with stylish interiors. Two floors, each with its own bar and DJs spinning progressive house and trance. Friendly and attentive staff. Drinks are moderately priced and entry includes one drink. The crowd is a mix of hip professionals, expats, and tourists. Open Wed-Sat, 10pm until sunrise, but busy after 1am on Fri and Sat. Closed Sun. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Usually crowded on Fri and Sat nights." -- sammy_boy1, Sep 23, 2006

  "I agree that Bed is a darn good gay disco and like most discos around the world, few people arrive before midnight." -- machogene , Nov 26, 3005

  "Just like to say BED club has some of the best DJ mixed music I've heard. Just never put your drink down or it's gonna disappear in a flash." -- Jeffrey, Mar 16, 2005

• Club Government
  7840 Makati Avenue, email. Makati's newest, hippest and biggest gay dance club, serves up testosterone and sexually-heated house music. Chic industrial interior. Laser and lighting effects on the dance floor. Plus, a richly textured chill-out lounge. Special events and theme parties with guest DJs. Muscle, music: from deep house to hard house, acid jazz to disco, vocal anthems to uplifting tribal beats. Busy after 1am on Fri and Sat nights. Closed Sun. Utopia Member Discount