Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour

Makati’s Mad Monkey Pub Crawl turns a night out into a simple route through four bars, with a free shot at each stop and a ready-made social group from the moment you arrive. The evening begins at Mad Sky Bar, where beer pong and karaoke help break the ice before the group heads into Poblacion.

I like the useful extras: the Mad Monkey Manila singlet gives you an instant way to spot the group, and the free entry at Sanctuary saves 500 PHP. The 800 PHP price also covers five shots, assuming you count the opening Thriller in Manila shot, which makes it fair value if you plan to visit several bars anyway.

The main caution is the slow start. The group stays at Mad Monkey from 9 to 11 PM, and karaoke can sometimes include mellow songs that cool the mood. If you want nonstop music from the first minute, arrive with realistic expectations and stay for the later stops, where the energy picks up.

Key points at a glance

• Six-hour arrival window: You can join the optional walking tour at 4 PM, meet the pub-crawl group from 6 PM, or arrive by the official 9 PM start.
• Four bar stops: The route includes Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary, all in the Makati and Poblacion nightlife area.
• Five included shots: You receive the Thriller in Manila shot plus one free shot at each bar.
• Useful party extras: Beer pong, karaoke, drink specials, and a Mad Monkey singlet help you meet people quickly.
• Good late-night value: Sanctuary includes free entry for the group, normally a 500 PHP saving.
• Best for adults: You must be at least 18, bring valid ID and your voucher, and wear comfortable shoes.

Starting at Mad Sky Bar from 6 to 9 PM

The pub crawl officially starts at 9 PM, but you can arrive at Mad Sky Bar anytime from 6 PM to meet the group and settle in. This earlier window is worth using if you are on your own or want time to make friends before the bar-hopping begins.

At reception, you sign up and receive your Mad Monkey Manila singlet. Bring your voucher and one valid ID, since both must be shown at the Mad Monkey Manila front desk. Arriving 30 minutes before the tour begins is sensible, especially if you need to check in or collect the shirt.

The singlet is more than a souvenir. In a crowded nightlife district, it makes it easier to recognize the group and gives you a shared marker with the people joining the same night. Wear something comfortable beneath it, since you will be walking between bars and spending several hours on your feet.

You can also order extra food and drinks at your own cost. The 800 PHP price covers the advertised shots and group activities, but not gratuities, meals, or additional alcohol. Bring cash, since that makes small purchases and tips easier.

Optional walking tour from 4 to 6 PM

Mad Monkey Manila also offers a free walking tour every day from 4 to 6 PM. It is separate from the main pub crawl, but it fits neatly into the evening if you want to see more of Poblacion before the nightlife starts.

You sign up at reception and meet at the Mad Monkey Manila Café at 4 PM. The walking tour is optional, so you can skip it and simply arrive at Mad Sky Bar later. If you do join, a free drink at the Sky Bar after the walk is included.

This is a useful choice for first-time visitors who want some local orientation before the bars fill up. It also gives you an earlier social start without requiring you to spend more on another activity. Just remember that the pub crawl itself does not begin until 9 PM, so the full evening can become long.

9 PM beer pong and karaoke

At 9 PM, the group settles into beer pong or karaoke at Mad Sky Bar. This part is designed to help strangers start talking before the group moves on. For solo visitors, that social buffer can be more valuable than the drinks themselves.

The mood may take a little time to build. On at least one recent night, slow karaoke songs played during the opening period and made the wait feel dull for someone eager to get moving. The schedule keeps the group at Mad Monkey until about 11 PM, so this is the one stretch where patience helps.

I would treat the opening as a meeting period rather than the main event. Use it to introduce yourself, arrange a group photo, play a round of beer pong, or order food if you need a proper base before the shots begin. If karaoke is not your thing, you do not need to make it the center of your evening.

11 PM: the Thriller in Manila shot

Around 11 PM, the group receives the Thriller in Manila shot, a themed Mad Monkey location shot taken before the first outside bar. It is a small but memorable ritual, and it marks the change from meeting time to the actual crawl.

Because the first bar does not arrive until roughly two hours after the 9 PM meeting, pace yourself. You do not need to match every extra drink purchased at Mad Sky Bar. The included shots come at regular intervals, and additional alcohol is not part of the package.

The organizers advise comfortable clothing and shoes. That advice matters here. You will walk between venues, stand in bars, and remain out until around 2 AM if you follow the full route.

11:15 PM: Almacen and the first bar shot

The first stop is Almacen, a Mexican-themed bar. You receive a free shot on arrival, making this the second included shot of the night after the Thriller in Manila opener.

Starting with a themed venue gives the group an easy first destination rather than dropping you into an unfamiliar bar alone. The stop is also short enough to keep the group moving, with the next venue scheduled for about 11:45 PM.

The practical point is timing. You are not spending the whole night in one place, and each stop has a clear purpose: meet people, enjoy the venue, take the included shot, and move along. If you find a bar you love, you may wish to return after the official route ends, since the tour only gives you a brief taste of each place.

11:45 PM: Kampai’s Japanese-style stop

The second bar is Kampai, a Japanese-themed venue with a sake-based free shot. It follows Almacen quickly, so the crawl gains momentum here.

The change in theme keeps the route from feeling repetitive. You move from a Mexican setting to a Japanese-style bar, with a different drink and atmosphere along the way. This variety is one reason the experience works better as a group night than simply choosing one bar and staying there.

Keep an eye on your own pace. A sake-based shot arrives after the opening drink and the Almacen shot, with more still to come. You can accept the included shot and then switch to water or a soft drink if needed. The tour is social, not a test of endurance.

12:30 AM: Annex House in Poblacion

Around 12:30 AM, the group reaches Annex House, a distinctive bar in Poblacion. The supplied details do not specify a themed shot here, so you should not assume that every stop has the same drink format. The main value of this stop is the venue change and the chance to spend more time with the people you met earlier.

By now, the group has had time to settle into its rhythm. The early introductions at Mad Sky Bar, the first two bars, and the walking between venues usually make conversation easier than it was at the start.

Poblacion is the practical setting for this part of the night. The crawl keeps the route concentrated in one nightlife district rather than sending you across Manila, which helps reduce complicated transport between stops. You should still wear good shoes and leave large bags at your accommodation, since luggage and large bags are not allowed.

1:15 AM: Sanctuary and free entry

The final scheduled venue is Sanctuary, reached at about 1:15 AM. You receive another free shot on arrival, and pub-crawl participants get free entry. The normal saving is listed as 500 PHP, which gives the package a useful boost in value.

This is also the point where the evening appears to hit its stride. One recent night had a flat opening because of slow karaoke, but the later bars had better music and a stronger party feel. If the first two hours test your patience, Sanctuary is a good reason to stay with the group.

The group may not leave as one tight unit after this stop. Some people will continue inside, while others may want to head back. Keep your own plans clear, especially if you need a taxi or have an early start the next morning.

2 AM: official finish, optional late night

The official tour ends around 2 AM, after roughly five hours from the 9 PM start. You are free to continue in Poblacion after that, but any further drinks, entry fees, or transport are your responsibility.

This open ending suits people who want a social introduction rather than a strict, door-to-door tour. You can stay with new friends, visit another venue, or call it a night once the official route is complete.

There is no stated group size, and the experience is led in English. Since the goal is to meet other people, the social feel depends partly on the group on your date. That is normal for a pub crawl, but it is worth remembering if you prefer a quiet, tightly organized night.

What 800 PHP really gets you

At 800 PHP, the price is reasonable for a night that includes:

• A Mad Monkey Manila singlet
• The Thriller in Manila shot
• One free shot at each of the four bars
• Free entry at Sanctuary, listed as a 500 PHP saving
• Beer pong or karaoke at the starting venue
• The optional free walking tour and post-tour drink

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay for entry and several drinks in Poblacion. The Sanctuary entry alone covers a large part of the fee, and the included shots reduce the need to buy a drink at every stop.

It is less attractive if you do not drink, dislike group nightlife, or plan to leave before the later bars. Food and extra drinks are not included, and tips are not included either. You may spend well beyond 800 PHP if you buy drinks throughout the night.

I would also avoid judging the package only by the number of shots. The real benefit is the organized route and the social start. You are paying to have the first introductions, venues, and timing handled for you, not simply for alcohol.

Who will enjoy this night most

This pub crawl suits adults who want a social night and do not know anyone in Manila yet. It is particularly useful for solo visitors, couples who want to meet people, and groups looking for an easy way to sample several Poblacion bars.

It also suits younger crowds well. The party format, singlet, beer pong, karaoke, and themed shots all point toward a casual night rather than a refined cocktail outing. If your idea of a good evening is meeting people, changing venues, and staying out late, the structure should work for you.

You should choose something else if you want a quiet dinner, a private guide, a polished bar tour, or detailed cultural commentary. The optional walking tour offers some local orientation, but the main experience is nightlife.

The activity is not suitable for children under 18, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. You should also avoid bringing pets, weapons, sharp objects, handcarts, alcohol, drugs, bare feet, or large bags.

My practical advice before you go

Arrive early enough to check in, especially if you want to use the 6 to 9 PM meeting period. Bring your voucher, valid ID, cash, and comfortable shoes.

Eat beforehand or plan to buy food at Mad Sky Bar. The package does not include meals, and five hours of walking, standing, and drinking can catch up with you quickly.

Pace the included shots. You can enjoy the social side without treating every drink as a challenge. Water and breaks are sensible, particularly if you plan to continue after 2 AM.

Finally, give the night time to improve. The opening karaoke period may be uneven, but the later route has a better chance of matching the party mood promised by the experience. Leaving before Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary means missing the part that gives the crawl its variety.

Should you book the Makati Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want an easy, social introduction to Makati and Poblacion nightlife, especially if you are arriving without a ready-made group. The 800 PHP fee is fair when you use the free shots, singlet, and Sanctuary entry, and the optional walking tour adds extra value for a first evening in the area.

Skip it if you dislike late nights, group drinking, karaoke, or moving between bars. The slow start may frustrate anyone seeking immediate action, and extra food and drinks will raise the final cost.

My call: this is a practical party-night choice, not a subtle cultural tour. Arrive early, eat first, pace yourself, and stay through the later stops. That is where the experience is most likely to deliver its best music, strongest social energy, and clearest value.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the pub crawl?

Meet at Mad Sky Bar at Mad Monkey Manila. You can arrive anytime from 6 to 9 PM to meet the group, sign up, and collect your Mad Monkey Manila singlet. The official pub crawl begins at 9 PM.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Mad Monkey Manila singlet, the Thriller in Manila shot, one free shot at each of the four bar stops, and free entry at Sanctuary. An optional free walking tour and a drink at Mad Sky Bar after the walk are also available.

Is the walking tour required?

No. The walking tour is optional and runs daily from 4 to 6 PM. To join, sign up at reception and meet at the Mad Monkey Manila Café at 4 PM.

How old do I need to be?

You must be at least 18 years old. Bring one valid ID and your voucher to the Mad Monkey Manila front desk.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, cash, your voucher, and valid ID. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.