Everything You Need to Know About Poblacion, Makati

If you’ve been out and about in the Metro, you’ve definitely heard of Poblacion. This barangay is the old downtown area of Makati, and also houses the city’s government, historical and cultural sites. Given all the history and culture crammed into one area, it’s no wonder that this district is full of little gems for anybody who’s willing to take a look. But with so much to see and do, it can be tough to get a handle on everything that’s going on in Poblacion— which is why we’ve put together this handy list of some spots that we think you should definitely consider on your night out.

 

Restaurants

Before you can think about starting your weekend, there’s one thing your body needs: refueling. Luckily for you, Poblacion has a considerable selection of different restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines that’ll be sure to sate even the pickiest palate. Here’s a short list of some that we think you’d like to try.

 

1. Bucky’s

 

Bucky’s is probably best-known for its “not a brownie”s, usually paired with ice cream or coffee, but their restaurant on Don Pedro Street has more to offer than just that. The menu takes its inspiration from comfort food, and dishes like the Chicken Parm (Php 250) or Fried Chicken/Mashed Potatoes (Php 275) are sure to satisfy.

Bucky’s is found at 5666 Don Pedro Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

2. Kermit Manila

Kermit (the restaurant, not the frog)’s original branch is in the famed surfspot Siargao, but you can now get their best-selling pizza without ever having to leave the Metro. Their branch in Poblacion is artfully decorated, bringing a little bit of Siargao to the city in a loft-style dining area where you can even sit on the floor. Try their Neapolitan Pizza (Php 280), and you can even add on toppings to enhance the experience. (Php 70 for Parma ham, Php 40 for bell peppers).

Find Kermit Manila at 4636 Molina Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

3. Loco Manuk

Chicken lovers out there will be pleased to find a home at the colorful, whimsically-decorated Loco Manuk. Chef Danny Parreno set out to make sure that customers to enjoy the Hispanic-Asian flavors, and we’re pretty sure he succeeded. Their Wood Roasted Chicken (Php 170 for a quarter piece) is tender and delicately smoky, and their chimichurri (Chimi Loco, Php 45) effortlessly blends Vietnamese, Thai, Peruvian, and Filipino flavors.

Loco Manuk is located at 5072 SGC Building, P. Burgos corner B. Valdez Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

4. YOI

This might be the only place in Metro Manila that offers Japanese-Scandinavian food, but new diners will not be disappointed. Chef Mikko Quimora was trained at Noma, while Chef Cris Villasor has over 20 years of experience cooking Japanese cuisine, and their skills blend seamlessly in the kitchen. Their Tuna Tartare (Php 270) is fantastic, and for a more Scandinavian bent you can try their Fish & Liver (Php 320) with shiitake mushrooms. Finish it all off with some sake from their tasting menu (Php 995) and you’ll be well-satisfied.

YOI can be found at 5579 Fermina Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

Street Food

If you’re in the middle of a pub crawl and looking for something to eat, but aren’t ready to invest the time and effort into ordering at a sit-down restaurant, then you’re in luck. Poblacion is famous for its easy-going, relaxed vibe, and offers some of the best open-air snacks and street food in the Metro. Check out some of our favorites below.

 

1. El Chupacabra

 

We’ll start off our list with one of the most well-known hangouts in the area—and with good reason. El Chupacabra houses some of the best street tacos in the country, and its lively décor and open-air dining experience make for a great place to just hang out, chat, and enjoy some delicious tacos.

El Chupacabra is located at 5782 Felipe Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

2. Tambai

 

If you’re craving something simple but satisfying, check out Tambai for delicious grilled fare. Tambai is a former sari-sari store that’s been converted into a yakitori kitchen, and is another excellent place to satisfy cravings before heading out for drinks. They have a variety of different skewers that you can mix and match for only Php 50 each, and the easy tambay or hangout vibe makes dining here all the more fun.

Hang at Tambai at 5779 Felipe Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

3. The Social on Ebro

 

While a foodie haven like Metro Manila has no shortage of food parks, the selection is Social is more limited but better curated. Kashmir offers Indian street food that’s rarely seen in Manila, while Crosta has some of the funnest pizza concepts around. You can also check out Eduardo Herrera’s incredible murals while eating!

The Social can be found at 5770 Ebro Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

4. Hott Asia Bazaar

For those of you who like a wider selection, Hott Asia Bazaar and Food Tent in A. Mercato is your best bet. The converted parking lot is a one-stop shop for great food from old and new favorites, clothes, accessories, bags, shoes, and even live music! Definitely an experience you don’t want to miss.

Hott Asia Bazaar can be found near A. Venue Mall, Makati Ave, Makati City.

 

Bars

After filling up the tank, so to speak, let’s take a look at one of the things Poblacion is best known for— its watering holes. Poblacion is peppered with different bars with unique concepts, and you could try out a different place every weekend for months and not run out of new places to drink. While it was pretty hard narrowing down the list on this one, we’re pretty sure we’ve found a spot for every kind of drinker.

 

1. OTO

For those who want to relax with a good cocktail, OTO is the place to go. This music lounge-slash-coffeehouse-slash-bar is one of the chiller spots in the area, and probably has the best acoustics too. Over a third of their space is devoted to their prized vinyl collection, and you can usually find some old favorites playing when you go. Their signature cocktails just launched, but if you decide to drop by you definitely won’t go wrong with their whiskey menu.

OTO is found at 5880 Enriquez Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

2. Alamat Filipino Pub & Deli

One of the better-executed concept bars in Makati, Alamat takes traditional Filipino drinks like lambanog and tapuey and makes them fit seamlessly into the bar scene. Their pulutan menu is delicious and pairs well with their selection of alcohol (we especially like the Pinayti Dip for Php 180), and you’ll find their delicious homegrown cocktails like Salabatman (Php 150) and Tikbalang (Php 200) go down well.

Catch Alamat on the second floor of 5666 Don Pedro Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

3. Run Rabbit Run

Run Rabbit Run isn’t your typical cocktail bar, and indeed you’ll need to keep a sharp eye out to spot this hole in the wall. Look for the two bright red doors on P. Guanzon Street, and once inside you’ll find a cocktail experience like no other. The interior is carefully decorated with curated furniture pieces, and their cocktail menu is equally well-thought out. All their signature cocktails are priced at Php 400 each, and we especially recommend their Jessica Rabbit and their Mr. Truffles.

Catch Run Rabbit Run along 4991 P. Guanzon St., Poblacion, Metro Manila.

 

4. Le Bistro Du Dr. Wine

Wine lovers out there should definitely celebrate Dr. Wine’s recent opening, as it’s one of the few spots in Poblacion solely dedicated to wine. The bar was first established in Shanghai by Vincent Landrais, but he eventually sold that branch and moved to the Philippines. It’s a great place for a romantic night out with your significant other— they have wines from all over the world, ready for any palate.

Le Bistro Du Dr. Wine can be found at 5921 Algier Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

 

Clubs

If you’re looking for a bit more spice in your nightlife, the clubbing scene in Poblacion doesn’t disappoint. In fact, decades before the restaurant and foodie renaissance, the area was already famous (or infamous) for its energetic night crowd. You can finish off your night with some good music and lively patrons in any one of our below suggestions.

 

1. Royal

Royal is located in the heart of the nightlife district, and as its name suggests has an imperial yet modern interior design, with a state-of-the-art lights and sounds system. You’ll catch the latest EDM, Top 40, and hip-hop tunes here— perfect for a night out dancing.

Royal is located at 5343 Gen. Luna Street, Makati.

 

2. Z Roof Deck

Z Roof Deck is located over the popular Z Hostel, and is one of the best views available in Makati nightlife. Treat yourself to a view of the city skyline as you enjoy cold drinks, finger food, and good company. The atmosphere here is definitely more laid-back, but definitely just as fun.

Z Roof Deck can be found on the top floor of Z Hostel, 5660 Don Pedro St. Makati City.

 

3. Antidote

Another fantastic view from the top in Poblacion would be Antidote, the rooftop bar on top of I’M Hotel. Famous for its jellyfish (yes, literal jellyfish), this is definitely a well-designed concept bar, with a charm and character not typical to other nightlife in Manila. There’s indoor and outdoor seating if you don’t want to be bothered by the weather, and the drinks list was crafted by Christian Dominguez of Bar Mace.

Antidote is located at I’M Hotel, Roof Deck, 7862 Makati Avenue corner Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City.

 

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For tips on where to eat and what to see in the Metro, check out our other articles on Daydreaming in Paradise.