Conway's , Shangri-La Makati Hotel, Makati Avenue, Makati (tel 02/813 8888). The most popular happy hour in town, with all-you-can-drink San Miguel for P180 between 6pm and 8pm. 11.30am-1am.

Giraffe , Ground Floor, Ayala Land Building, 6750 Ayala Ave, Makati. Loud music, video screens, expensive drinks and expats on the prowl. Giraffe is a horrible clichA©, but has nevertheless endured, and on Friday and Saturday nights is still thumping at daybreak. 5pm till late.

CafA© Havana , 1903 M Adriatico St, Malate (tel 02/521 8097). The new kid on the Malate block, and as it's part of the hugely successful LJC Group, is likely to be around for some time. A place to see and be seen. 11am-2am.

In the Mood Dance Bar , 1900 M Adriatico St, Malate (tel 02/525 6295). Ballroom dancing is a craze in the Philippines, and this is where you can learn. DIs (dance instructors) are available for a price if you've got two left feet. 11am-1am.

Joy , 1808 Maria Orosa St, Malate. Purple velvet seats, techno music and a tea dance every Sunday at 7pm.

Mondo , The Fort Entertainment Center, Fort Bonifacio (tel 02/551 1211). Fort Bonifacio is the raunchy upstart of Metro Manila nightlife, and Mondo is one bar among many in the area, ten minutes' walk beyond Makati, near the American Cemetery. 5pm-2am.

Paco Park , San Marcelino Street, Paco. Free Friday night classical concerts at 6pm, performed under the stars in an historic cemetery. Paco Park is just beyond Taft Avenue, twenty minutes by jeepney or taxi from Malate. Rizal Park has similar free concerts every Sunday at 6pm.

Penguin CafA© and Gallery , 604 Remedios St (tel 02/521 2088). Anytime breakfasts for P65, coffee, cocktails, cheap beer and exhibitions and poetry readings to boot. Penguin is a senior citizen of Malate. Officially a gay bar, but not really. 11am-3am. Closed Sun.

Politixx , 574 J Nakpil St, Malate. Another of Nakpil's new wave of alternative bars with standup comedy and other live performances throughout the week until the wee hours. 7pm-3am.

Sidebar , 1771 M Adriatico St, Malate. It's the owners' enviable collection of good-taste CDs that brings people to this comfortable and informal little bar in the heart of Malate. If you want to sit back and listen to good sounds over a cold beer, this is your place. The food is wholesome and inexpensive. Happy hour is 5pm to 8pm Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday). 11am-1am. Closed Sun.

Verve Room , 607 J Nakpil St, Malate. Dark, crowded bar that stages offbeat gigs such as poetry readings and serves a cocktail called calibugan whose contents are a closely guarded secret. Calibugan, roughly translated, means "horniness". 6pm-3am. Closed Sun.