Dressed to the nines!
Weekends are the most fun, as most Manilans feel it is a crime to stay home on a Saturday night. However you can go out any day of the week as bars and restaurants are always packed with revelers. Wednesday, mid-week, is also a special party night.
A popular trendy club
The night scene does not get started until ten in the evening, usually after a late dinner. Most kids either start off at Nu-vo for after dinner cocktails. Or if they feel more ritzy, they will gather at Martini's at the Mandarin Hotel, a bar that serves the best 'tinis in town (shaken, not stirred). Cav, at Bonifacio High Street, is another "in" wine bar and restaurant at the Fort Strip, that serves excellent wine and good food.
Sipping martinis at MARTINIS
After dinner, people either move on to other trendy spots at the Fort like Establishment or Members Only. Establishment is a good dining place, as the chef, Margarita Fores of Cibo fame, has pulled out all stops to create fabulous dishes. Their night club, next door, is cozy and rhythmic, as the beat of the music follows you even into the restrooms! Members Only is an elegant night spot at the Fort area, where many celebrities like to hang out to escape the eyes of the fans. Entry into this club is exclusive as the club's name specifies. Embassy (Cuisine) in the Fort strip is one of the more popular dance clubs (for the young) with hip-hop and techno music. It really gets going later into the night. For a more relaxed atmosphere, MCafe, a restaurant-bar at Greenbelt serves Asian fusion food. This cafe is found next to the Ayala Museum in Greenbelt.
"Establishment" Exclusive "Members Only"
If you prefer a more quiet evening, you can hang out at the Greenbelt strip. The restaurants along Greenbelt 2, 3 and 5 (all good!) have outdoor seating. This is a popular place for those partyphiles who wish to relax yet want to see and be seen.
Greenbelt Skyline
The older crowd, usually ladies, prefer to go to dance clubs. Since their husbands do not like to dance, they go with their girl-friends for a fun night on the town. Europa (in Makati), Savannah Moon (in Quezon City) and Havana (Greenbelt) are among the better ballroom dance spots. These clubs also serve food, but not as fine as you would find at a restaurant. However, Havana serves tasty, authentic Cuban dishes. You can bring your own DI (dance instructor) or hire one at the club. A DI is a young professional dancer/gentleman that is paid by the hour to dance with a lady. Nowadays, there are female DIs to partner with men who wish to go dancing. About 10 years ago, the DI craze went wild in Manila, and Manila socialites would hit the dance clubs in the early afternoons (while their husbands were at work) and party away with their girl friends and personal DIs. A great way to keep the cardio workout going! Some of the wealthier older ladies actually got infatuated with their DIs and supported them in lavish lifestyle. The craze has simmered down somewhat, since pilates has taken over as the exercise fad for socialites.
If you wish to take a peek at Manila's high society, check out the Tattler Magazine or Lifestyle Asia Magazine. The faces you see at Tattler are usually the same ones every issue, as the editors prefer to feature society people, models and celebrities. It does get redundant after a while, since Manila is, after all, a small town. Everyone knows everyone!
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