Top Bars in Manila – Most Viewed (2025)

Established in 1973 by former Peace Corps volunteer Jim Turner, Hobbit House in Manila was a distinctive bar inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. Located in the Ermita district, it featured a circular door reminiscent of a hobbit's home and was staffed predominantly by little people, providing them with meaningful employment opportunities.​ The bar offered a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere adorned with Tolkien-inspired decor, including murals and memorabilia. Patrons enjoyed a wide selection of local and imported beers, cocktails, and hearty pub fare. Live music was a staple, with performances ranging from folk to rock, enhancing the venue's vibrant ambiance.​ Despite its popularity among tourists and locals alike, Hobbit House faced challenges over the years. Following Turner's passing in 2016, the establishment struggled to maintain its operations and eventually closed its doors in October 2018 due to financial difficulties. The closure marked the end of a unique chapter in Manila's nightlife, leaving behind fond memories for those who experienced its charm.

Tucked away in the Poblacion district of Makati, The Spirits Library is more than a bar—it’s a theatrical experience. Founded by beverage connoisseur Lee Watson in 2019, this multi‑level venue greets you with a high-ceilinged space, dramatic lighting, and walls lined with vintage books, artful bar paraphernalia, and a dazzling array of spirits, creating a collector’s dream come to life. Here, every bottle tells a story. The ambiance blends the elegance of a library with the excitement of a hidden speakeasy, complete with a luxuriant chandelier anchoring the grand room. A secretive “Detention Room” houses rare and exclusive bottles; just ask, and bartenders will guide you into this hidden trove. The cocktail menu shifts seasonally but often includes a set of six showcase drinks (like the Nostalgia Series), alongside bespoke creations tailored via conversation—chat with the bartender and a memorable custom cocktail awaits. Live performances—jazz, vinyl sets, or blues and jazz nights—often harmonize with the sipping experience, making the atmosphere both vibrant and intimate. Design-forward and emotionally rich, the bar is also music-driven. It often features vinyl-focused programming carefully curated by the venue’s Music Director, adding a tactile, analog soulfulness to your visit. Whether you’re sampling a rare dram from the “Detention Room,” discovering a craft cocktail from scratch, or being serenaded by live music, The Spirits Library turns each visit into a story worth revisiting.

Nestled behind a nondescript 7‑Eleven at RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, Bank Bar redefines underground luxury in Bonifacio Global City. This speakeasy—only accessible through a hidden door inside the convenience store—transports you into a moody, industrial-chic sanctuary where arched mirrors line a sprawling bar backed by walls of rare spirits. Operated by The Moment Group (also behind Manila stalwarts like Abba Napa), Bank Bar has garnered accolades for having the widest spirits selection in the city, including absinthe, sake, grappa, vermouth—and innovative craft cocktails made with small-batch liquors and native ingredients. Highlights from the menu include the potent Due Diligence, a goat horseradish-infused strong drink, and the refreshing Queen’s Park Swizzle—a mint-lime-grapefruit libation sweetened with muscovado syrup. Happy hour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (5–7:30 pm) offers cocktails, mocktails, and beers at discounted prices for early arrivals. Bank Bar’s ambiance is intimate and calm on weekdays, but the vibe amps up on weekends when both floors pack with guests—though savvy patrons can seek refuge upstairs in a VIP section. With dim lighting, plush lounge seating, projections on the walls, and hushed vault-like acoustics, the atmosphere evokes exclusive private banking lounges—befitting its name. As one of Manila's first hidden cocktail dens, Bank Bar was even named “One of the Most Intriguing Speakeasies in the World” by CNN. It remains a must-visit for aficionados seeking curated cocktails, rare spirits, and a true speakeasy experience in a city of distractions.

Tucked into a cozy corner of Makati’s vibrant Poblacion district, OTO (named for the Japanese word sound) is a stylish cocktail lounge designed for music lovers and nocturnal loungers alike. Embracing its DNA as a “listening room,” the bar features an audiophile-grade sound system, a curated vinyl collection, and perfect acoustics that make every record spin feel immersive. With interiors wrapped in a striking palette of black and beige stripes, OTO elegantly straddles the line between sleek lounge and retro haven. Its bartenders excel in both craftsmanship and personality, blending classics with inventive signatures. The menu is thoughtfully divided into timeless cocktails, signature creations like the “Hey Brian!” (bourbon, grapefruit, tamarind syrup, wheat beer), and playful modern twists such as the “Bacon Old Fashioned” or “Breakfast Martini.” The vibe shifts seamlessly throughout the day: from relaxed coffee hours (1 PM–6:30 PM) offering specialty brews, to spirited nights where DJs turn the space into a living soundscape. Reviewers praise OTO for its “fantastic cocktails,” “great music,” and “lovely decor”—a rare bar that feels like your own living room with excellent drinks. Historically, OTO has played a pivotal role in Poblacion’s nightlife transformation. Born from the minds behind The Curator, it helped shift the neighborhood from backpacker haunt to high-concept hotspot by championing the idea of a “third space”—somewhere thoughtfully designed, inclusive, and musically rich.

Run Rabbit Run is a storybook cocktail bar born in 2018, now reborn in a charming space at the Six Axis Center in Población, Makati. Drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, it invites you down a rabbit hole where immersive design meets creative libations. The entrance is marked by a bold red door leading into a multi‑story hideaway filled with cozy nooks, eclectic thrifted furnishings, and a mood that effortlessly borders between relaxed intimacy and playful whimsy. A plush upstairs and breezy outdoor deck wrapped in greenery and soft lights are prime spots for unwinding with friends or a date night. Cocktail creativity shines here. From “Jessica Rabbit”’s earthy spice blend to floral and fruit-forward favorites like “Chillin’ Like a Villain,” the bar prides itself on inventive mixology. Decadent offerings like “Halo-Halo,” inspired by the Filipino dessert, marry local flavor with refined technique and come with theatrical flair — think vermouth poured over dry ice or sago-studded sips. Many reviewers praise the friendliness of the bartenders and the roaring popularity of the place — reservations are highly encouraged. Recent relocation to 4347 B. Valdez Street hasn’t dimmed the charm—in fact, all the nostalgic energy of the original space, with its red door and inviting atmosphere, carries into this new home. Run Rabbit Run remains a beloved local, where each sip feels like a page-turn in an immersive tale.