Your guide to the best Manila gay bars, LGBT venues and events

Community nightlife was centered in the Malate area just south of downtown Manila. Malate’s waterfront bars might be Manila’s best people-watching, hottie-spotting places. Malate, like many community neighborhoods, has been gentrified recently so it is not the gayborhood it once was for the LGBTQ+ department. But the Ortigas area, east of downtown, features new shopping malls, and some of the best gay bars in Manila that draw an open, youthful crowd with energy and there are many other Manila queer bars around the surrounding areas if you want to journey out.

Our Manila LGBTQ+ Travel Guide Top Picks

The LGBTQ+ scene in Manila is spread out with loads of queer and gay bars in various pockets around the metro area of the city. Parts of Manila can be sketchy, especially at night, so make sure to use your common sense, and be aware of your surroundings like any big city and you will be fine.

Navigating Manila's gay bar scene is like embarking on a glittery treasure hunt—just remember to pack your patience for the city's infamous traffic jams. But fear not! Once you arrive, you'll find a vibrant world bursting with energy and charm.

F Club: The Ultimate Gay Playground

The pulsating heart of Manila's LGBTQ+ nightlife is at F Club, a dynamic combo of a bathhouse, dance club, and restaurant. It's the perfect oasis for relaxation and revelry. With a membership, you gain 24/7 access to a luxurious gay sauna, complete with 30 private rooms, a jacuzzi, steam room, cruising areas, massage services, and even a large cinema room for a "chill-out session."

O Bar: The Legendary Queer Dance Haven

For over a decade, O Bar has reigned supreme as the most popular gay club in Manila. This iconic LGBTQ+ venue attracts a lively mix of ages and features side-splitting drag shows that will have you in stitches. As the night progresses, O Bar transforms into a pulsating dance floor where you can dance your heart out till dawn.

Fred's Revolución: Quezon City's Quirky Gem

Found in the hipster haven of Cubao Expo, Fred's Revolución is the epitome of rustic cool. With mismatched furniture, walls adorned with Che Guevara photos, and a global currency collection, this tiny Manila queer bar is perfect for drinks and has occasional drag shows. It's a unique spot that exudes a laid-back, revolutionary vibe.

JEFZ Café: Karaoke and Cabaret Extravaganza

Get ready to unleash your inner diva at JEFZ Café, a fun-filled gay karaoke bar that's open until 4 am. Even if you're not keen on singing, you can enjoy live music shows and the electrifying 'Hot Male Body' show every Friday night. It's a guaranteed good time, whether you're belting out ballads or cheering from the sidelines.

Club Adonis: The Heat of Manila's Gay Club

Club Adonis is a revered gay institution in Manila's male entertainment industry, drawing a young, local crowd of students and their admirers. With sizzling hot exotic dancers, live shows, and occasional drag competitions, Adonis is a must-visit gay club for anyone seeking a lively, youthful atmosphere.

Nectar Nightclub: The EDM Wonderland

Nectar Nightclub is a fabulous gay club that pulsates with the beats of electronic dance music. Featuring talented DJs, hilarious drag shows, and even dating games for singles, Nectar is a hip and happening place that welcomes all members of the LGBTQ+ community. With gender-neutral bathrooms and a lively crowd, it’s a place to dance, laugh, and make unforgettable memories.

Manila might not have the largest number of LGBTQ+ bars as it used to, but it more than makes up for it with its big heart and even bigger personality. Each cafe, gay bar, and LGBTQ+ club offers a unique slice of queer culture, ensuring that every night out is a new adventure.

Manila Pride Events

Manila LGBTQ+ events are getting bigger with each year, rivaling bigger gay city meccas like Bangkok and Taipei. We highly recommend Metro Manila Pride, which is the highlight of LGBTQ+ celebrations in the Philippines, drawing a glittering crowd of nearly 100,000 fabulous individuals each March. As the first Pride march to dazzle the continent back in June 1994, Metro Manila Pride stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. In a country where the fight for equal rights is ongoing, this parade is more than a celebration—it's a powerful protest, a joyous yet urgent call for equality and freedom from discrimination.

The other Pride event of the year is Quezon City Pride Festival, orchestrated annually by Pride PH, is the other massive LGBTQ+ Pride event in the Philippines. This fabulous festival isn't just a one-day wonder—it boasts three major attractions: a Pride Expo, a Pride March, and a Pride Night. As one of Southeast Asia's largest pride events, it’s a vibrant spectacle you won't want to miss! For the ultimate LGBTQ+ nightlife experience, head to the Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue area, the pulsating heart of Quezon City’s gay scene. This bustling district, brimming with bars, clubs, and restaurants, is the perfect spot for socializing, dining, and partying the night away. And let’s be real, when a city rolls out two distinct Pride parades at different times of the year, you know it’s a must-visit destination!

Top Things To Do + See in Manila

Manila’s nighttime novelties are many, and the capital city’s historical sites are just as compelling. Fort Santiago, built at the end of the 16th century and restored after World War II, is infamous for being the site of the revolutionary José Rizal’s 1896 execution. Filipinos regard Rizal as a national hero for his writing and advocacy, which helped inspire the Philippine Revolution.

Today, you’ll find a museum dedicated to him on Fort Santiago’s grounds, on the banks of the Pasig River downtown. Just a little further east along the Pasig, you’ll find the Quiapo district and the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene—so-named for its life-sized and dark-skinned statue of Jesus Christ. Manila’s largest Muslim community is in Quiapo, where the Golden Mosque (Masjid Al-Dahab) is undergoing restoration. And try some mouthwatering aromas wafting from street food stalls in Binondo, where you will find the world's oldest Chinatown!

Just a short walk nearby, the outdoor Quiapo Market offers inexpensive amulets, carved statues, and love potions—not that you’ll need the latter to get down and dirty in Manila, darling!

For a break from the city’s hustle, head to the Masungi Georeserve in the Sierra Madre range, just a half-hour from Manila. This conservation area boasts breathtaking limestone karst peaks, lush rainforests, and mesmerizing caves. The standout attraction is the Sapot, a suspended netting and platform experience above the forest, complete with hanging bridges, rope courses, and eco-trails. It's the perfect day trip for a touch of nature and adventure.

But what truly makes Manila shine is its people. Known for their warmth and hospitality, Filipinos welcome everyone with open arms and bright smiles. With a thriving scene, inclusive events, and a strong sense of community, Manila gay bars are a place where you can be yourself.

Whether you're basking in the golden glow of Manila Bay's sunset, dancing the night away in a club or one of the best gay bars in Manila, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in one of its hidden gardens, Manila promises a magical experience in the Philippines.