Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour

Start with a shot, finish in Poblacion. The Mad Monkey Makati Pub Crawl gives you a simple way to meet people, visit four bars, and keep your Manila night moving without planning every stop yourself. I like the free drink at Mad Sky Bar and the included shots at each bar, which make the 800 PHP price feel fair for a five-hour evening. I also like that you receive a Mad Monkey singlet, a small but useful party souvenir.

The main drawback is the long opening stretch at Mad Monkey Manila from 9 PM to 11 PM. That time includes beer pong and karaoke, but one recent evening reportedly suffered from slow karaoke that weakened the mood before the bar-hopping began. If you want nonstop music from the first minute, this may test your patience. If you stay with it, the night improves once the group reaches Poblacion.

Key points at a glance

• Four bars in Poblacion: Visit Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary, with a free shot at each stop.
• 800 PHP includes several extras: You get the Mad Monkey Manila singlet, the Thriller in Manila location shot, and bar shots.
• The night begins slowly: Meet from 6 PM, then enjoy beer pong or karaoke at 9 PM before leaving around 11 PM.
• Sanctuary offers extra value: The crawl includes free entry there, a saving of 500 PHP.
• The walking tour is optional: Join the daily 4 PM to 6 PM walk, then enjoy a free drink at Mad Sky Bar.
• Best for adults who enjoy groups: You must be at least 18, and comfortable shoes, cash, and one valid ID are required.

What the 800 PHP price really covers

At about $18, this is not just a guided walk between bars. Your fee includes the Mad Monkey Manila singlet, one Thriller in Manila location shot, a shot at each of the four bars, and free entry at Sanctuary. You also get the social benefit of arriving at places with a group already formed.

Buying four drinks and paying a 500 PHP cover charge at Sanctuary could cost close to the tour price on its own, depending on what you order. The singlet and the introductory shot add a little more value, though you should not expect the package to cover dinner or every drink you want throughout the night.

The price works best for you if you plan to drink at every stop and enjoy meeting new people. It works less well if you prefer to choose one or two bars, avoid shots, or keep your own schedule. Additional food and drinks are not included, and gratuity is not included either, so bring cash for anything beyond the package.

Arriving at Mad Sky Bar between 6 PM and 9 PM

You can arrive at the Sky Bar any time from 6 PM to 9 PM to meet the crew and sign up. Arriving early gives you more time to settle in, collect your singlet, and meet the people joining the crawl. It also reduces the risk of rushing through registration just before the group leaves.

The official pub crawl begins at 9 PM, but the early window is useful. You can have a drink, talk with the group, and get comfortable before the louder part of the evening begins. If you arrive at 6 PM, you have a full three hours to meet people before the scheduled entertainment starts.

The bar is also the meeting point for the optional walking tour. Mad Monkey Manila runs that walk daily from 4 PM to 6 PM. You sign up at reception and meet at the Mad Monkey Manila Café at 4 PM. After the walk, the included free drink at Mad Sky Bar gives you an easy way to move into the evening without leaving the area.

I would choose the walking tour if this is your first time in Poblacion or you want some daytime orientation before drinking. It is not required for the pub crawl, so you can skip it and simply arrive between 6 PM and 9 PM.

Beer pong and karaoke from 9 PM

At 9 PM, the group settles into beer pong or karaoke. This is the social warm-up, and it serves a real purpose. A pub crawl can feel awkward when everyone meets at the first bar and immediately has to make conversation. Starting at Mad Sky Bar gives you time to learn names, find a few friendly faces, and decide how much of the night you want to share with the group.

The pace here may not suit everyone. One verified booking praised the later bars but found the opening period dragged because slow karaoke songs lowered the energy. That is useful advice: if you want the best possible night, do not judge the crawl during the first two hours.

I would treat this period as a buffer rather than the main event. Play beer pong if you want an activity, join the karaoke if that is your style, or use the time to order food and water. There is no need to treat the included shots as a race. You have a long night ahead.

The Thriller in Manila shot at 11 PM

Around 11 PM, the group receives the Thriller in Manila location shot before leaving for the first bar. It is part of the package and gives the evening a clear starting signal after the long meet-up period.

The name and location element add a playful Manila touch, but the practical value is that the shot marks the transition from the hostel bar to the Poblacion circuit. If you are keeping your drinking moderate, you can pace yourself here. Four more bar stops follow, and every stop includes another shot.

From this point, the schedule becomes more active. The stops are planned roughly 30 to 45 minutes apart, so you should keep your shoes on, hold onto your phone and cash, and be ready to move when the group leaves.

Almacen, the Mexican-themed first stop

The first bar is Almacen, a Mexican-themed venue reached after the 11 PM location shot. You receive a free shot on arrival, then have time to enjoy the setting and get into the main bar portion of the evening.

A themed bar helps break up the night. You are not simply moving from one dark room to another, and Almacen provides a clear first stop after the opening session at Mad Sky Bar. The scheduled stay is short, so you should not expect a full meal or a long chance to settle in.

If you need food, order it before the crawl gets moving or ask about available options early. Food and extra drinks are your own responsibility. I would also use this first stop to check that you still have your ID, cash, and phone before the group heads onward.

Kampai and its sake-based shot at 11:45 PM

At about 11:45 PM, the group moves to Kampai, a Japanese-themed bar. The included shot here is sake-based, giving the stop a different flavor from Almacen.

The change in theme helps maintain interest, especially for anyone who does not want the entire night to feel like one repeated party room. You get a short visit, one included shot, and the chance to continue talking with the group while the night moves through Poblacion.

The schedule is tight, with roughly 45 minutes between the first and second stops. That is good if you want variety, but it means you should not wander off without telling someone. Staying with the crawl is the easiest way to avoid missing the next departure.

Annex House around 12:30 AM

The third stop is Annex House, a distinctive bar in Poblacion, reached at about 12:30 AM. The supplied details do not specify a themed shot here, unlike the sake-based drink at Kampai, but Annex House is presented as one of the more unusual stops on the route.

By this point, the opening nerves have usually passed. You know the group, the pace, and the basic routine: arrive, receive the included drink, enjoy the bar, and move on. I like this middle stop because it breaks up the more structured beginning and gives you a chance to focus on the setting and music.

The main caution is stamina. You have already been out for several hours, and the tour is not finished. Drink water whenever you can, and do not feel obliged to finish every included shot. The package is generous, but your comfort matters more than collecting every drink.

Sanctuary at about 1:15 AM

Around 1:15 AM, the group arrives at Sanctuary, described as one of Poblacion’s most loved bars. You receive another free shot, and the crawl includes free entry. That entry benefit saves 500 PHP, making Sanctuary one of the strongest value points in the package.

This is also where the night seems to gain its best momentum. A verified booking rated the overall evening highly after initially finding the karaoke session too slow, specifically noting that the later venues had good music. That gives you a useful expectation: the crawl may build gradually rather than hit its peak at 9 PM.

Sanctuary is the final listed stop, but it is not a hard end to your evening. The official crawl ends around 2 AM, and you can continue in Poblacion afterward if you want. You are free to make your own plans once the organized portion finishes.

Why Poblacion works well for a pub crawl

Poblacion gives the night variety without requiring complicated transport between distant parts of Manila. The four stops are presented as different venues, with Mexican, Japanese, and other distinct bar settings along the route.

That matters because a pub crawl is only as good as its movement between stops. If the bars are too far apart, you spend the night in cars. Here, the experience is built around a walking route through the Poblacion nightlife area, so comfortable shoes are more important than dress shoes.

You should still expect street movement, crowds, and late-night noise. The route is a social night out, not a quiet tasting tour. Keep your bag small, as large luggage, handcarts, and bulky bags are not allowed. Pets, weapons, alcohol and drugs, and bare feet are also not permitted.

The optional walking tour from 4 PM to 6 PM

The free walking tour is a useful add-on if you want more from the day. It runs seven days a week, from 4 PM to 6 PM, and focuses on Poblacion’s lesser-known spots. You sign up at reception and meet at the Mad Monkey Manila Café at 4 PM.

The walk is separate from the pub crawl, so you can join it without committing to the evening. Afterward, the included free drink at Mad Sky Bar creates a natural pause before the 9 PM start.

I would not choose the walking tour if your only goal is to conserve energy for the late night. The pub crawl lasts about five hours, and the organized portion runs late. But if you arrive early in Manila and want to get your bearings in Poblacion, the walking tour makes the $18 package more useful.

Who should book this night out?

I would recommend this experience to an adult staying at Mad Monkey Manila or nearby, especially if you are on your own and want company for a night. It suits people who like group activities, themed bars, casual drinking games, and a set route.

It also works for you if you want to sample Poblacion without researching four venues yourself. The guide handles the movement, the group provides company, and the included shots remove some small costs along the way.

I would be more cautious if you dislike loud nightlife, karaoke, or fixed schedules. The first two hours can feel slow if the karaoke mood is not right, and the later stops may feel too quick if you want to sit quietly and enjoy one bar.

This is not suitable for children under 18, pregnant women, people with back problems or mobility impairments, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. You must present one valid ID and your voucher at the Mad Monkey Manila front desk, and you should arrive 30 minutes before the tour begins.

Practical tips for a smoother crawl

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You will be moving through the area late at night, and practical footwear is the sensible choice.

Bring cash for extra drinks, food, and gratuity. The package covers the listed shots and Sanctuary entry, but it does not cover meals or drinks beyond the included items.

Bring only what you need. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a small personal bag is easier to manage during a crowded night out.

Pace yourself. The evening includes the location shot plus four bar shots, so you do not need to add a full drink at every stop. Water and food are not included, so plan for both.

Arrive early if you want to meet more people. The 6 PM to 9 PM window is not wasted time if you use it to collect your singlet, speak with the group, and settle into the evening.

The activity is conducted in English. Cancellation is fully refundable if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is available when you book.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Makati Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want an affordable, social night with four Poblacion bars, included shots, and free entry at Sanctuary. The best value comes from using the whole package, including the singlet, location shot, four bar shots, and the 500 PHP entry saving.

Skip it if you want a quiet evening, a food-focused tour, or complete control over your timing. The opening karaoke period may drag, and the late finish requires energy.

My practical verdict is positive, with one condition: arrive with realistic expectations. The night starts as a social warm-up, not an instant party. Stay through the first transition, pace your drinks, and the later bars are likely to be the strongest part of the evening.

FAQ

When does the Mad Monkey Makati Pub Crawl begin?

The pub crawl officially begins at 9 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. You can arrive at Mad Sky Bar any time between 6 PM and 9 PM to meet the group and sign up.

How much does the pub crawl cost?

The listed price is $18 per person, or 800 PHP. The fee includes the Mad Monkey Manila singlet, the Thriller in Manila location shot, shots at each bar, and free entry at Sanctuary.

Which bars are included?

The route includes Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary in Poblacion. Almacen has a Mexican theme, Kampai has a Japanese theme and a sake-based shot, and Sanctuary includes free entry for the group.

Is the walking tour required?

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

What should I bring?

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

What age do I need to be?

You must be at least 18 years old to join. The activity is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available when offered at booking.