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7 Best Rooftop Bars in Manila for the Best Nightlife Experiences

Whether you’re a local looking for a new spot or a traveller seeking the ultimate nightlife adventure, these seven rooftop bars in Manila will impress. From chic cocktail lounges to lively sky bars, Manila has it all. So, ditch the ordinary and get ready to clink glasses with the clouds! Here’s our hot list of 7 rooftop bars that will make your Manila nights legendary: Mistral Rooftop Bar: Luxe Libations with a Skyline View Channel your inner Gatsby at Mistral, perched atop the swanky Raffles Makati. This rooftop bar oozes sophistication with its sleek indoor lounge and open-air terrace. As the sun sets, the city skyline explodes with colour, making it the perfect backdrop for sipping on their signature “Manila Fizz” or indulging in their extensive gin and tonic selection and feeling peckish. Pair your drink with delicious bar bites or a fancy “wooden board” to share. Unwind on our sky-high haven. Daytime boasts chilled vibes and happy hour deals (5-8 pm). Evenings and weekends transform, with live DJs spinning beats for an electrifying atmosphere and craving an extra touch of sophistication. Top off your cocktails and bites with a hand-selected cigar. Contact: Instagram | MAP Encaramada Rooftop: Sunset Chaser’s Paradise Are you craving panoramic views and a seaside vibe? Encaramada Rooftop at the TRYP by Wyndham Mall of Asia has you covered. This open-air haven boasts 360-degree vistas of Manila Bay and the city skyline. Time your visit right, and you’ll be rewarded with a magical sunset that will leave you speechless. Don’t miss their tapas menu, featuring classics like “Calamari a la Plancha” alongside yummy pizzas. Enjoy a unique rooftop dining experience at Encaramada—Savour both hot and cold Spanish tapas alongside their signature baked pizzas. Indulge in best-sellers like the Calamari a la Plancha, the Quattro Formaggio Pizza, or the Prosciutto with Mushroom and Arugula. Please note: Encaramada has exclusive hours and it is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm every day of the month. Contact: Facebook | MAP The Penthouse 8747: A Timeless Soiree with Cityscapes Are you looking for a touch of old-world glamour? Look no further than The Penthouse 8747. Inspired by the roaring twenties, this rooftop bar on the penthouse floor of the Lepanto Building transports you back to the era of flappers and jazz. Think plush furniture, checkered floors, and dazzling Makati views. Sip on Japanese whiskey, Taiwanese highballs, or classic cocktails while soaking in the city’s elegant charm. Their menu offers a delightful mix of Filipino favourites and international bites, perfect for a sophisticated evening. Contact: Facebook | MAP Antidote: A Multi-Level Marvel with City Lights as Your Backdrop I am calling all design enthusiasts and cocktail lovers! Antidote, perched on the rooftop of the I’M Hotel in Makati, is a feast for the senses. This multi-level space boasts a vibrant atmosphere, with the top floor rooftop bar offering the most jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the Manila skyline. But the real showstopper is the massive jellyfish aquarium bathed in an ethereal glow – perfect for those Instagram-worthy moments. Are you feeling fancy? Antidote boasts a team of expert mixologists who craft bespoke cocktails using top-shelf spirits. Pair your drink with modern bites or delectable desserts for an unforgettable experience. Contact: Facebook | MAP The Nest Dining in the Sky: Tranquil Tipples with a View Escape the urban jungle and find solace at The Nest Dining in the Sky. Nestled atop the Vivere Hotel and Resorts in Alabang, this rooftop gem offers a unique blend of a stylish indoor dining room and a lush, open-air terrace. Think comfy sofas, chill…

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Top 10 Backpacker Bars in Manila, Philippines

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Best Backpacker Hostels in Manila, Philippines

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Offsetting your Carbon Footprint as a Traveller

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4-Week Itinerary in the Philippines: The Ultimate Guide to Paradise

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Budget Travel

8 Backpacker Budget-Friendly Beaches in Cebu

  1. Dalaguete Beach Park This beach is known to be one of the places locals would recommend to tourists. Dalaguete Beach Park can be found in South Cebu. Since it is owned and managed by the local government, its cool blue waters are open for the public to enjoy at a very minimal fee. The entrance fee to the beach only costs around $0.50 for adults and $0.25 for children. For a little over $5, bigger groups can rent a beach hut or cottage—plus free use of the karaoke machine! Picnic tables, on the other hand, can be rented for just $3. To sum it all up, the estimated day trip budget you need to set aside for Dalaguete Beach Park is $20, including transportation. Cebu is well-endowed with breathtaking beaches, which is why it does not come as a surprise to find a beautiful beach such as this very accessible from the city.     2.Basdaku White Beach and Panagsama Beach, Moalboal These two beaches sit right next to each other at Moalboal. With its name directly translating to “big sand,” Basdaku White Beach is known for its wide expanse of fine sand. Here, tourists swim in crystal clear waters, taking in all the peace and quiet they can get. The entrance fee costs less than US$1, and campers are free to pitch their tents without having to pay. Apart from swimming and camping, other recreational activities can be enjoyed. Kayaks, diving and snorkeling gear, and even kite-surfing equipment are available for rent in the area. When the sun comes down, head over to Panagsama Beach side where the nightlife is kicking. Mingle with fellow travelers and locals at a bar, or go food-tripping with your friends. Moalboal is definitely a place with loads of fun to cover your day—and you hardly even need to spend!      3. Lambug Beach, Badian Lambug Beach, a must-see for visiting tourists, can be found in the southern part of Cebu in a town called Badian. The beach is known to be a great spot away from the crowds. Part of its charm comes from its natural and untouched condition. If its clear waters and fine sand aren’t enough to draw you in, then maybe it being entrance fee free will. That’s right! You can lay on the sand or take a dip, free-of-charge. Best of all, getting there won’t cost you more than $10 from the airport. Cottage rentals are at $10 while camping fees range from $1-$3.     If you’ve had enough swimming, there’s much more to do near the beach. Other famed attractions can be found in the area. Wash off that seawater at Kawasan Falls, or go crab hunting for your next meal at the mangroves. If you’ve had enough of the water,  trek up Osmeña Peak for a complete view of Cebu’s south-western coastline. At the end of every adventure is a tourist waiting to be fed. So why not drag your appetite to Badian’s local market and restaurants to try some local delicacies. Badian has so much to offer, and Lambug Beach is just the beginning. See what else you can find in town through this link.     4. Hermit’s Cove, Aloguinsan Townsfolk claim that the cove used to be the territory of an old wandering hermit. Thick greenery enshrouds the area just before the beach, gracing it with such mysterious beauty. Hermit’s Cove can be found in the town of Aloguinsan—a place also known as the “Ecotourism Capital of Cebu”. The beach is a one kilometer-long stretch of white sand with sparkling…

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The 9 best ethical shopping spots in Phnom Penh on a budget

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Mad Monkey Hostels launch Cambodia Mad Pass

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Deliciously Good Deals in Sydney, Australia

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Things to do in Bruges on a Budget

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Sustainable Travel

Offsetting your Carbon Footprint as a Traveller

Offsetting Your Carbon Footprint as a Traveller: Getting Around Without Getting Down Now, let’s talk about getting from A to B without costing the Earth . Overland travel is your friend here. There’s something about train journeys that makes you feel like you’re in an old-school travel flick, gazing out at landscapes morphing from cityscapes to countryside. And buses? They’re the unsung heroes of eco-friendly travel, plus, you meet the most interesting characters on long bus rides (I once shared a packet of biscuits with a monk on a bus to Laos!). When flying is the only option, think of it like a cheat meal – keep it rare and make it count. Direct flights are the way to go, less faffing about in airports and kinder on the planet. Setting Up Shop Sustainably Choosing where to drop your backpack and laptop is key. Cities like Copenhagen are a haven for nomads with a green conscience, cycling everywhere and munching on food that’s more local than the pub back home. And when it comes to your pad, go for spots that recycle like it’s going out of fashion, say no to plastic like it’s a dodgy street vendor, and maybe even have a herb garden out back. Research shows that hostels are more eco-friendly than hotels. By sharing a dorm room with a bunch of travellers you’re not only in for a more sociable trip, but a more ecological one. At Mad Monkey our war on waste is relentless, from slashing single-use plastics across our hostels to rolling out biodegradable packaging. We’re committed to advocating for a future where our only legacy is the memories we create, not the marks we leave. Living Like a Local This is my favorite part. Diving headfirst into local life not only gives you the best stories but also cuts down on your carbon shenanigans. Ride a bike, eat street food (the rule is, if there’s a queue, it’s good), and buy trinkets from the guy who made them, not a souvenir shop. Your experiences will be richer and your carbon footprint smaller. The Nomad Network Never underestimate the power of a good old chinwag with fellow nomads. Share tips, swap eco-friendly finds, and maybe even team up for some local clean-up action. It’s all about that community spirit. Tech to the Rescue Now, we’re in our element. Use that smartphone for more than just selfies and Google Maps. Track your carbon footprint, find the nearest bike-sharing station, and always, always go for e-tickets. Less paper, less hassle. The Offset Odyssey Here’s where it gets a bit science-y but stick with me. Carbon offsetting is like giving the Earth a spa day after you’ve thrown a rager in your hotel room. It’s about investing in projects that suck up all that carbon you’ve been trailing around. The trick is to pick a project that’s legit – think wind farms over “magic beans”. The Carbon Offset Adventure: A Step-by-Step Guide Imagine you’ve just wrapped up a whirlwind tour, hopping from the neon lights of Tokyo to the serene beaches of the Philippines. Now, it’s time to balance the books with Mother Nature. Here’s how you can do your bit to keep the planet groovy: Step 1: The Numbers Game First up, in our journey of offsetting your Carbon Footprint as a traveller, we need to figure out how much carbon your adventures have added to the atmosphere. It’s like checking your bank balance, but for your carbon account. There are loads of carbon footprint calculators online that can do the heavy lifting for you. Just plug in your travel details,…

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Mad Monkey CSR Corporate Social Responsibility Report | Q2 2023

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These are the Most Amazing and Radical Places to Visit in 2023

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Plastic-Free July: How to be a Responsible Traveler

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APOPO Visitor Center: the Rats Here Save Lives

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