When the sun goes down in the Philippines, you can feel the pulsating beat of the city or town coming to life. Even the small villages have a vibrant nightlife, only on a much smaller scale.
Music lounges with live bands, discos, resto bars, karaoke bars, European style pubs, sports bars, cabaret bars, tapas bars, comedy clubs, girlie bars and alternative life style bars are all found in the mid-size and large cities throughout the Philippines. Sometimes there is a cover charge, sometimes there is a minimum drink order but most of the bars where I live in Bacolod City have no such requirements. Just go inside and have fun!
If you love music and enjoy live bands, there is probably no other place on earth like the Philippines. Filipino bands and singers are famous the world over for their singing, dancing and entertaining. If you visit other Asian countries, you will discover that the house band in most every 5 Star Hotel is a band from the Philippines. The Filipino singers take pride in that they can sing a song in English exactly as the original singer of the pop song. Just a few nights ago, my family and I listened to a Filipino band in our neighborhood festival and the lead guitarist can play the guitar as well as the famous Carlos Santana. He is awesome!
It seems every village, town and city has a festival going on year round in one location or another. There is always a festival somewhere in the area. The festivals are a good place to go in the evening times to enjoy music, food, drinks and meet some new friends.
Since the nightlife begins when the sun sets, one may ask about safety and security after dark in the Philippines. During the past 27 years of my extensive time in the Philippines, I have never been a crime victim and I don’t sit at home safely behind a gate and a high wall around my house. I enjoy getting out and I often do. The main points, same as in any country in the world, are being aware of your surroundings at all times, be careful about the type of people you go out with and associate with, do not flash large amounts of money in public, do not show off expensive jewelry and do not leave your drinks unattended in bars or restaurants. If you follow those tips, you should be fine. Have some fun!