10 unique & fun things to do in Manila

For travelers, backpackers and province-based tourists, Manila is often just thought of as a stopover between flights on the way to another destination. The big city can be overwhelming with the heavy traffic and crowded streets. It’s often seen as gritty and chaotic, especially if you visit the areas of Quiapo and Divisoria.

I often take the tourist sights in Manila for granted because I live here. But if I were a first-time tourist in the Philippines or if I had to take around foreign tourists, balikbayans, expats or province-based friends, what would I do and where would I go? 

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Save the date, beer lovers. MNL Beerfest is back this October 2023

It’s the most wonderful time for a beer!

The Ber months have arrived and there’s no better way to celebrate than with an outdoor beer festival. Mark your calendars this October as another MNL Beerfest event is coming soon. The 3-day MNL Beerfest is back and set to take place from 4:00 pm to midnight from October 13-15, 2023 at Capitol Commons Park in Pasig City. 

Get ready to enjoy a range of hard-to-find beers and meet up with fellow hopheads from all over the country all in one venue. This year’s beer festival promises an extraordinary lineup of local craft breweries from over the Philippines, imported beers, good eats, and an unforgettable experience for all beer lovers.

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Bike-friendly craft beer destinations in and near Manila

For road bikers and urban cyclists, coffee rides have become a big thing for weekends. There are just so many new minimalist cafes that have popped up all over the metro that you can ride to every week just to go somewhere new or hang out on those Tambike rides with friends.

But for mountain bikers, there’s nothing quite like a mug of ice cold beer to beat the heat and help you relax and recharge during longer weekend rides, night rides, and bike camping.

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Craft Beer & Liquor Delivery in the Philippines

With the closure of many bars and restaurants everywhere because of the pandemic, more people want to drink in the safety of their homes. While groceries and minimarts have stocked up on the usual staples of mainstream beer brands, sometimes you just want something different for special occasions, but you also want to avoid going out just to get your essential liquor supplies. It’s now more convenient than ever to get quality craft beer delivered straight to your home.

Here are few craft beer delivery services and breweries based in Metro Manila where you can easily order your stash online and get beer delivered straight to your doorstep.

NOTE: Due to government regulations and travel restrictions, some online stores can only service areas in the NCR not covered by liquor bans. Provincial deliveries may be delayed.

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Get Chainline’s bike-themed craft beers delivered at home

Here’s something cool for those who like craft beer and biking. Chainline Brewing Company, a bike-inspired craft beer brand from the USA, is now available in the Philippines.

Inspired by the active outdoor lifestyle of Seattle, and situated alongside Kirkland’s brand new bicycle corridor, Chainline Brewing Company was founded in 2014 with the singular goal of creating the highest quality ales and lagers for the discerning craft beer drinker. It’s said to be the fastest growing micro-brewery in Kirkland, Washington, USA, home of fresh hops farms.

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Batala Bar: Cozy craft beer bar in Intramuros

Batala Bar in Intramuros recently reopened! Right before the lockdown restrictions in March 2020, I met up with good friend Mica of Senyorita for a “business meeting” in the area and we spent a chill afternoon with mugs of local craft beer here. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed random meet-ups with friends over drinks and it’s nice to know that more establishments are finding ways to reopen with the proper health and safety measures, like contact tracing and health declaration forms in place. 

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10 Quarantine Food Trends in the Philippines

Pinoys love to eat out. But with many restaurants still closed for dine-in, people are elevating their dining experiences at home. Since times are tough, most people are choosing to find joy in the simple comforts of food. The pandemic has unleashed the creativity of home cooks and brought to light a number of interesting food trends and quarantine cravings. In this time of stress and uncertainty, people are making the most of their pantry staples, going back to traditional homebaked food preparation, and choosing familiar and feel-good comfort food.

With bars closed, chilling out and drinking at home has become the norm. Delivery services are also upping up their Instagram game with DIY meal kits and ready-to-eat meals that look good and taste even better to get repeat customers. Here are some of the most popular food trends in the Philippines that have come out of the quarantine.

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Craft Beer in the Philippines

The craft beer scene in the Philippines is really booming. In the past few years, I’ve seen a rise in the number of microbreweries and locally-brewed beer being offered not just in Metro Manila, but around the country. One of the things I try to do when I travel is to check out these local microbreweries and taprooms and hunt for unique craft beer.

The widest variety can be found in craft beer bars in Manila (mostly concentrated in the Poblacion area of Makati) and several notable places in Cebu City in Visayas. You can also find other small bars scattered in different parts of the Philippines that are worth seeking out. Here’s a Craft Beer Map of the Philippines I made that might help you out in your beer-ventures. Click each icon on the map to get the exact location and other details.

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Craft Beer Bars in Manila

The local craft beer scene in the Philippines is really booming as brewers infuse local flavors and creativity to homegrown beers. You can find now find a growing number of Philippine craft beer breweries when you travel around the country, with cozy brewpubs and craft beer joints in top tourist hubs like Baguio, Sagada, Vigan, La Union, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Palawan, Davao and Iligan.

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Ibalon Craft Brew: Bicol’s First Craft Beer

There’s craft beer in my hometown Naga City!  Ibalon Craft Brew is introducing to Naga City the first craft beers in the Bicol region. I’m so happy that folks in Bicol now have more beer options and can enjoy something new and different compared to the usual commercial beers served in most stores, bars and restaurants in Naga City.

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