The Twelve Best Rooftop Bars in Manila

Manila's skyline drinks better than its postcards. This is barsforKings's editor-curated list of the 12 best rooftop bars in Manila — a working ranking we revisit every quarter, kept tight enough to actually use on a Friday night. Every room here passes our four standing tests: drinks made with intent, atmosphere worth sitting in, service that respects you, and a sense of Manila you cannot get from a hotel concierge.

Manila rewards drinkers who scout neighbourhoods, and the spread below reflects that. You'll find spots in Poblacion, BGC (Bonifacio Global City), Makati CBD, and beyond — each picked for what it does best, not how loud its marketing is. We focus on open-air decks, sunset cocktails, golden-hour photos; we ignore venues that prioritise volume over craft. The order is a working ranking, not a leaderboard — number one isn't always your number one. Read the notes and pick the room that fits the night you're planning.

Best for: sunset hour, skyline photos, special-occasion drinks. Most rooms here run from late afternoon until 1 or 2am; the busier ones lift their door policy on weekends and we've flagged those where it matters. Save the page, send it to whoever you're meeting, and let the rest of Manila take care of itself.