This story is presented by BPI 24/7 Banking
1. Play board games
Brought to you by Gaming Library, Makati Maurauders, and John Bull Distillery, Makati Beer & Board Games is a gaming club where anything goes. It boasts of a notable game collection. For those who just want to try it out, there’s a drop-in charge (PHP80), while membership fees vary depending on how long you intend to stay with them. Entrance fee for walk-ins are waived on Wednesdays, which is Makati B&B’s official board game night. 926 A Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. Mon & Tue, Thu & Sat 3pm-10pm, Wed & Fri 3pm till late.
2. Revisit an institution
The Filipino breakfast staple tapsilog (PHP116) is the reason why Rufo’s Famous Tapa has withstood the test of time. The tasty mix of local cured beef, fried garlic rice and sunny side up eggs, coupled with a secret homemade sauce, has kept diners coming back to this no-frills 24-hour eatery since 1984. G/F A.Venue Mall, 7829 Makati Ave, Makati City; +63 2 8994207. Daily 24/7.
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3. Take it to the street
The mi casa es su casa vibe at El Chupacabra will make you stop, look and listen — but it’s the amazing Tex-Mex street food that will make you stay. Try the San Francisco-style lean pork sisig taco (PHP90) and pair it with an ice-cold San Miguel Beer (PHP45). 782 Felipe cor Polaris Sts, Bel-Air, Makati City; +63 2 8951919. Mon-Tue 8am-12am, Wed & Thu 8am-2am, Fri & Sat 8am-3am, Sun 8am-2am.
BPI HOT TIP: Here’s a good restaurant where you won’t need a lot of cash to have a good time. So why not park your moolah at BPI’s Express Deposit Machine — you can deposit even without your card and your money is credited to your account in real time.
4. Claim your perks
Thank god the guys behind Staple and Perk Bakery have finally stepped out of their commissary and into their first Makati outlet — open 24/7. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, treat yourself to a cream puff (PHP65). Prefer something savory? The flat breads are available with bacon, cheese, or TPK (Tomato, Pesto, Kesong Puti) stuffings. G/F Ecoplaza Bldg, 2305 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City; +63 2 9251122. Daily 24/7.
BPI HOT TIP: Running a 24/7 business doesn’t mean keeping your cash in the premises the whole night. BPI’s Express Deposit Machine is a deposit facility for BPI, BPI Family Savings Bank and BPI Direct cardholders which allows actual cash deposit with real-time credit to account.
5. Drunken therapy
Brought to you by the same people behind Mamou, Mamou Too!, and Blue Kitchen, Recovery Food offers round-the-clock drunken therapy with its hearty meals and comfort food. The noodle dishes, in particular, are a smash hit: Rau Men (PHP240), ramen infused with peanut sauce; and My Mami (PHP175), a mini version of the Mamou bestseller. G/F Crossroads, 32nd St cor 8th Ave, Bgy Fort Bonifacio, BGC; +63 2 5117312. Daily 24/7.
6. Get your sweet fix
Run by premium chocolate importers, the quaint Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café centers on European brands like Toblerone, Lindt, Ferrero Rocher, and Ritter Sports Chocolate. The sweet cacaos are incorporated into main courses, drinks and desserts is divine, but to make them available until two in the morning on weekends is the cherry on top. Highly recommended are the Golden Euphoria Ferrero Hazelnut Crunch Cake (PHP218) and the Sweet Revenge Lindt Molten Lava Cake (PHP195). If you aren’t in the mood for anything too heavy, opt for a scoop of their mouthwatering gelato. Unit 2A, 28 Jupiter cor Astra Sts, Bgy Bel-Air, Makati City; +63 2 8978559. Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri & Sat 10am-2am.
7. Get crafty
At Finders Keepers MNL, mixing drinks is a craft. You only have to see the almost theatrical way they do their Old Fashioned — which is one of the city’s best and most inventive if you ask us. Cool, dark interiors make this speakeasy-inspired bar-lounge the ultimate chill place where you can just enjoy your cocktail with friends old and new. Warehouse 5 La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Don Chino Roces Ave cor Sabio St, Makati City; +63 2 4033955 or +63 2 5555555. Tue-Sun 7pm-5am.
BPI HOT TIP: We may be fond of Old Fashioned but we’re also fans of modern convenience like BPI Express Online which gives us full control of our finances. It’s very simple, easy and hassle free — no need to wait for long queues in the branches just to pay bills or transfer funds.
8. Enjoy the view
Situated on the topmost floor of the tallest building — for now — in Metro Manila, this chi-chi bar boasts of booze, beautiful people and a killer view of the cityscape. With Chef Carlo Miguel and mixologist Tim Walters on board, your party is guaranteed to be of top quality. You can sit down for dinner from six to ten in the evening, but after that it’s theme party time. 71/F The Gramercy Residences, Kalayaan Ave, Bgy Poblacion, Makati City; +63 917 8477535. Mon-Sat 6pm-4am.
9. Get a buzz
People at here are madly passionate about coffee and alcohol. At Curator Coffee and Cocktails, you may be the master of your own poison, but you’ll want to put yourself in the good and able hands of the bartender. That means management is allowed to tap you on the shoulder if you’ve clearly had more than you can handle. This is where you go if you want to have lovely liqueur and still remember who you are and what you did last night. 134 Legazpi cor Carlos Palanca St, Legazpi Village, Makati City; +63 916 3554129. Mon-Sat 7am-1am, Sun 7am-6pm.
10. Have a nightcap
If you care for a cup of coffee, some loose leaf tea or perhaps a nibble, then Kuppa Roastery and Cafe is your nightcap go-to. Homey and modern, it’s the perfect place to read a book, or catch up on social media, while sipping on your favorite de-stress drink. G/F Commercenter Bldg, 31st St cor 4th Ave. Bgy Fort Bonifacio, BGC; +63 2 6235120. Sun-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri & Sat 7am-12am.
BPI HOT TIP: If you and your friends are visiting Kuppa for a nightcap, don’t strain your already-mush brains splitting the bill. Offer to pay with your credit card and just have everyone pay you back via the BPI Funds-Transfer-to-Anyone.
11. Shake it, shake it
New to the Makati scene is this quirky diner, which first made waves at hipster magnet Cubao X. Sweet Ecstasy is where you run to if you’re up to some shake-slurping. From classics like vanilla and chocolate (PHP 120) to sweeter fixes such as nutella and red velvet, to adult mixes like the Black Bear and the White Russian (PHP 140) — name it, they have it. 10 Jupiter cor Asteroid Sts, Bgy. Bel-Air, Makati City; +63 916 5941229. Sun-Thu 3pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 3pm-12am.
12. Skate, or just watch skaters
The Mountain Dew Skate Park is the first urban skate park in the country. Divided into three levels (beginner, intermediate, and professional), the park’s impressive 1000-sqm skate area caters to all levels of skating skills. There are even bleachers ready for those who just want to watch. If you drop by earlier, you can enjoy an awesome view of the sunset. And on Saturdays, skate tutorials are held from 9am to 10pm. Entrance fees are either PHP50, or PHP100, depending on the time and day you come. Circuit Makati, Fortuna St., Makati City. Sun-Thu10am-7pm, Fri 10am-10pm, Sat 9am-10pm.
13. Borrow a book, or donate one
Bookworm Hernando Guanlao’s private-turned-public library is the first of its breed. The rules are simple; there are none. You can borrow and keep (for free), or give as many books as you want, thus encouraging a community not just of readers but conscientious human beings, too. The Reading Club 2000 is open 24/7. The book collection’s guardian, Hernando, or Nanie for short, may indulge you in a chitchat from 10am to 5pm. All are welcome to the books inside and outside Nanie’s house. 1454 Balagtas St., Bgy. La Paz, Makati City. +63 926 6457641 or +63 915 9027657. Daily 24/7.
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14. For the gents: it’s your turn to get a fancy haircut
Felipe & Sons is a traditional barbershop and modern haberdashery. In essence, it is a gentleman’s lounge. This is where you go to look dapper. To what extent? Now that’s up to you. Felipe & Sons offers everything from a simple cut and rinse, to complete grooming packages. And then you can have your suit made right in the same place. Mezzanine A, LPL Mansion, 122 San Agustin St., 1227 Makati City. +63 2 9497703. Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9pm.
BPI HOT TIP: This barber shop has free Wi-Fi. If you have a BPI Prepaid Mastercard, this is where you can check your balance and load it on BPI Express Online.
15. Go on a leisurely art walk
BGC’s Bonifacio High Street is dotted with a number of art installations and modern sculptures. An oversized Teddy Bear-shaped cutout with a permanent shadow beneath it, Conrado Velasco’s “Tinstaej #85” is a crowd favorite. The open grounds also feature Reg Yuson’s works. His “Hearsay,” an installation of twisted green pipes that seem to go underground, touches on gossip and word of mouth. “Specific Gravity,” on the other hand, is functional art; it is a fountain that spotlights a boulder suspended in midair. High Street observes mall hours, but for as long as the lights remain on and the food places nearby are peopled, you can go around as you please. Bonifacio High Street City Center, Bonifacio Global City. Daily 11am-11pm.
BPI HOT TIP: Would you like some alone time? When you use BPI’s Express Deposit Machine you won’t need a branch teller — it’s just you and a machine that allows actual cash deposit with real-time credit to your account.
This story is presented by BPI Express Online 24/7 banking. It’s easy to take complete control over your finances through BPI Express Online. With just a few clicks, you can experience the convenience of being able to do banking transactions instantly without the need to travel to or line up at a branch or payment center, any time of the day.
