Gran Manila

Drink

The epicenter of Metro Manila's famous nightlife is the Greenbelt in Makati where some of the city's best restaurants, cafes, bars and karaoke joints cluster around a park in the middle of the main business district. The Fort, Serendra and Bonifacio High Street are three different clusters that offers high-end restaurants, bars and shops in the nearby city of Taguig. Bohemian Malate and the adjoining Baywalk contain a variety of venues serving a combination of food, comedy, alcohol and live music in Manila. Other nightlife clusters in the Metro are Eastwood, Araneta Center, and Timog all in Quezon City.

The introduction of American hip hop music has had a noticeable effect on Philippine night life, serving as the soundtrack to a high-spirited Manila youth culture. Many nightclubs now rival first-world standards both in terms of luxury and vibrancy.

Additionally, there are numerous venues in which to catch elements of an active Philippine alternative rock community. Some venues, such as saGuijo Cafe in Makatihave risen to some prominence.

Sleep

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Due to Metro Manila's horrible traffic, those who came for business are advised to stay in the business district they are visiting or as near as possible. Backpackers tend to favour Malate or Makati's Poblacion as they are both atmospheric areas with cheap food, bars, and accommodation. Those who want to avoid the gritty side of Manila typically stay in more affluent districts such as Makati's Ayala Center or Bonifacio Global City.

Standard hotels range from to , but you can spend more if you want to stay in a luxurious place. Popular hotels such as Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental are found in Manila and Makati while Marriot hotels just opened a branch in Newport City. Hotels include common frills such as laundry service, telephone, and TV. Motels have a bad reputation and perception by Filipinos as they are viewed as meeting places for illicit sex and things, but they are a cheap option. Condominiums, now easily rented even for short stays via websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com, are found around financial districts and often near commercial establishments.

Stay safe

Metro Manila has its share of common problems for first-time travellers: opportunistic robbers and pickpockets, corrupt cops and bureaucracy, run-down residential areas and shanty towns, and chaotic traffic. If you are first time travelling into the region (or not used to chaotic conditions in other places), keep your guard up at all times. The metro has its numerous rough areas where you are unlikely to visit.

Stay healthy

Tap water provided by the metro's major water service providers Maynilad and Manila Water is usually safe to drink, but quality varies by place, and locals usually boil them just to be safe.

Air quality in Metro Manila is not as worse, but can deteriorate during the cool season (especially on New Year's Day). Areas around major road intersections (e.g. Cubao, Pasay Rotonda) usually have the worst air quality.

Be also aware of stray dogs, but they are not a problem in financial districts such as Makati CBD and Taguig and can be seen only in residential outskirts and non-commercialized suburbs of Metro Manila.

Respect

thumb|Inside a women-only car of a train on LRT Line 1People in Metro Manila have a reputation for snobbery; Manileño folks call country people promdi (from the English phrase from the [province of]) because of different customs. It is best to behave like a laking Maynila (one brought up in Manila) so you can easily get around.

Public views of affection are tolerated, but making out is far from socially acceptable, even in this liberal region of the Philippines. You can make out in public in Luneta and other major parks of its size, but this is not without risk. Making out in public may offend Filipino sensitivities, and some locals will not hesitate to call 911 and turn you in into the police for scandalous behavior. Holding hands are rather acceptable, even to locals.

Public courtesy goes a long way. You must give a seat to women, students, old people and disabled persons in public transport. Jeepneys, buses, and trains have priority seats reserved for them; trains have a women-only car at the front end, not exclusively for women, but also for elderly and disabled people. You will be told to move into the second car (or the middle of the platform at the station) if you go into the women-only area.

Metro Manila has the most relaxed dress code among all places in the Philippines; wearing shorts or tank tops is in general acceptable, but not without calling unwanted attention depending on place. Churches and government offices follow strict dress codes, where shoulders, arm…