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. Bars are within five minutes from each other, very similar to the Silom area in Bangkok. There are of course other gay establishments in Metro Manila widely spread over this mega city.

• Aura Sing-Along & Comedy Bar
  92 C. Raymundo Ave, Sagad, 091-5711-7873, email. This gay-friendly sing-along and comedy bar welcomes everyone. Good food at a good price. 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.
• Clarke Quay Comidy Bar
  405 Lopes St, San Joaquin, 091-7821-6858, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly sling-along bar with two nightly performances with gay entertainers. A great place for gays to relax and enjoy good food, great music and gay comedy. Meet and enjoy the company of like-minded people. Utopia Member Discount
• El Notre
  1810 Orosa St, Malate, 092-9296-6937, email. Gay-friendly bar with acoustic gigs Mon-Sat on 2/F, plus free karaoke on G/F. Utopia Member Discount
• The Library (mixed)
  Orosa St., between Malvar and Nakpil 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.
• O Bar (mixed)
  On the corner of Nakpil and Orosa (under Top and Bottom). Crowded, especially on weekends. The waiters are hunky. Lots of gays. There are drag shows four nights weekly and go go dancers all weekend.
• O Bar (mixed)
  Ortigas Home Depot, Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas Center. Second branch of this bar.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The recent fad here is the O Bar. Bouncers are cool and so is their crew. The DJs' beats keep your feet moving all the time. Crowd wise, I would say 'I belong here. This is my crowd.' The bar is open daily but the best nights are Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat (busiest). Weekdays they have impersonators shows but Sat it's purely dancing with hot half-naked guys on a designated stage. Come visit O Bar! Cool place for cool people like us." -- Goodpinoy, Sep 1, 2010

  "Open from Wed-Sun. Drag shows, ledge dancers, mixed crowd." -- monp, Feb 8, 2010

• White Bird Disco Theater and KTV
  715-B Boulevard Galleria, Roxas Blvd, 851-2088, 851-2089, 855-2622, email. White Bird is an all-male entertainment bar located at Roxas Boulevard. Shows and entertainment nightly. Utopia Member Discount

• 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.