Makati: Rooftop Bar Hopping Tour with Venus

Makati looks best after sunset. This three-hour night out takes you to three rooftop bars, where you can watch Manila’s lights come alive, try drinks, and move through different nightlife settings with Venus as your English-speaking guide. I like the easy meeting point at the lobby of I’M Hotel and the promise of photographs, since a good rooftop view is much better when you do not have to spend the evening asking strangers to take pictures.

I also like the local touch. Venus is praised for knowing the city’s bars, introducing people to less obvious places, and adjusting the evening to the night’s party scene. The main catch is cost: the $66 price includes a welcome drink, guide, and photographs, but your food and drinks at the bars are extra. Loud music, crowded rooms, and a dress code also make this a better fit for social night owls than for anyone seeking a quiet evening above the city.

Key points before you book

• Three Makati venues in about three hours: The advertised route visits three rooftop bars, with the evening moving from one setting to another.
• Venus is the main attraction: She is described as friendly, witty, social, and well connected to the local nightlife scene.
• Start with sunset views: Arriving early gives you a better chance to enjoy the changing sky and city lights from a good spot.
• Drinks are not included beyond the welcome drink: Budget separately for cocktails, beer, rum, vodka, wine, and any food.
• Photos are part of the package: Venus takes photographs, which is useful for solo visitors and anyone hoping for good social media pictures.
• Dress neatly: Sandals, flip flops, sleeveless shirts, and tank tops are not allowed.

Why Makati rooftops make a good first night

Makati is one of Manila’s main business and nightlife districts. After dark, its towers, roads, and bright signs create the sort of city view that is hard to appreciate from street level. A rooftop bar gives you a pause above the traffic, then puts you back into the action when the music starts.

The timing matters. The tour is planned for the transition from sunset into night, so you may see two different versions of Makati in one evening. Early on, the sky provides the show. Later, the city lights and rooftop atmosphere take over.

I would choose this tour early in a Manila stay. You can get a feel for the area, learn which parts of the nightlife suit you, and ask Venus for ideas for later nights. It also removes the awkward first step of deciding where to go when you do not know the city’s bar scene.

The meeting point is the lobby of I’M Hotel, and the tour returns there at the end. That simple arrangement is useful, especially if you are unfamiliar with Makati or prefer not to organize several short taxi or ride-hailing trips at night. Hotel transfer is not included, so you need to make your own way to the start.

One practical note deserves attention: the supplied location information says Nueva Vizcaya, while the meeting point and the whole description clearly refer to Makati in Metro Manila. Confirm the location shown during booking before you pay, and use the I’M Hotel lobby as the key meeting detail.

The sunset opening sets the tone

The first stop is intended to provide sunset views. This is the most scenic part of the evening, so arrive ready to begin on time. A rooftop seat or open view can disappear quickly once the bar fills, and arriving early gives you a better chance to enjoy the skyline rather than simply standing behind a crowd.

The appeal is not only the sunset itself. As daylight fades, Makati’s buildings begin to glow and the streets below turn into lines of light. You can start with the included welcome drink, take photographs, and settle into the pace of the evening before moving on.

The exact drink is not specified, so do not assume it will be a full cocktail of your choice. The tour description lists cocktails, local beer, rum, vodka, and wine as drinks you can have during the night, but these are not included in the price apart from the welcome drink.

This first stop should suit you if you want photographs and a broad city view. It may be less appealing if you arrive expecting a full meal, since food is not included and the tour is built around drinks and social time.

Three bars, three different moods

The route then moves to other rooftop venues, with the aim of giving you more than one version of Makati nightlife. The tour description encourages a change of theme or atmosphere between stops. One venue may feel relaxed, another more polished, and another more focused on music or dancing.

That variety is one of the strongest reasons to book with a guide. Going alone, you might choose one bar and stay there simply because you do not know what else is nearby. With Venus, the evening has a clear rhythm: arrive, enjoy the setting, take pictures, meet people, and then move on.

The stops can include live music or DJs, depending on the venue and the night. You may find space to dance, or you may spend more time talking over drinks. The information does not guarantee a particular performer or DJ, so treat the music as part of the possible atmosphere rather than a fixed show.

The listed plan is three venues. One account describes visiting four rooftop bars, which suggests that the route may sometimes change. Still, you should book on the understanding that three venues are promised, not four. Bars can change their schedules, and the evening’s exact flow may depend on what is open and lively that night.

Venus makes the evening easier

The most praised part of this tour is Venus herself. She is repeatedly described as warm, fun, easy to talk with, and willing to take good photos. That matters more than it may sound. A bar-hopping night depends on the person leading it, especially when the group includes solo visitors or people who are new to Manila.

Venus also appears to know the city’s nightlife well. She can point you toward rooftop venues and less obvious bars, and she has connections in the local scene. The practical value is simple: you spend less time searching and more time enjoying the evening.

Her social style seems to suit people who want company rather than a formal sightseeing lecture. You can ask about Makati, compare drinks, join drinking games, and meet people from different places. The tone is friendly and informal.

That can be a strength or a weakness. If you prefer a guide who gives a structured explanation of architecture, history, and city planning, this is not that kind of tour. The focus is nightlife, conversation, views, and getting from one good venue to the next.

The photography is useful, not just decorative

Photographs are included, and the comments about Venus taking pictures are unusually consistent. This is especially useful if you are traveling solo. Rooftop bars are built for views and photos, but getting a flattering picture of yourself with the skyline behind you can be difficult when you are alone.

You can expect photographs of the city views, drinks, and the evening’s atmosphere. The exact number, delivery method, and editing style are not specified, so it is sensible to ask Venus how the photos will be provided.

If you use Instagram or similar platforms, this is one of the tour’s practical extras. You do not have to choose between enjoying the night and documenting it. Just remember that taking pictures should not become the whole evening. The best value comes from using the photos as a bonus while enjoying the bars themselves.

What the $66 price really buys you

At $66 per person, this is not a cheap bar crawl if you count only the alcohol. The price includes a welcome drink, a guide for roughly three hours, photographs, and access to a planned evening across three venues. Food and additional drinks cost extra.

I see the price as a convenience fee as much as a nightlife fee. You are paying for local direction, company, a ready-made route, and help with photographs. If you would otherwise spend an evening researching bars, arranging transport, and deciding where to go next, the package may feel worthwhile.

It is better value for a solo visitor or a small group that wants a social night without planning every detail. A large group of friends may prefer to choose its own bars and divide transport costs, especially if everyone already knows Makati.

Your spending will vary. Cocktails, local beer, rum, vodka, wine, and food are available as additional purchases, but no set allowance is included. Bring enough money for the night and decide in advance how much you want to drink. The tour is built around alcohol, so pacing yourself is important.

Who will enjoy this night most

This tour is a good match for:

• Solo visitors who want company and photographs.
• Friends who want a simple night out with several stops.
• First-time visitors to Makati who do not know the rooftop scene.
• People who enjoy cocktails, city views, music, and meeting new people.
• Anyone who likes a guide with a relaxed and social personality.

It is less suitable for people who want a quiet rooftop dinner or a calm view with little noise. One account specifically found the small bars crowded and the music extremely loud. That is useful warning: the tour is about nightlife, not peaceful skyline watching.

It is also not suitable for pregnant women, according to the activity information. The dress code rules out sandals, flip flops, sleeveless shirts, and tank tops. Bring a passport or ID card, since identification is required information for the activity.

How to prepare for a better evening

Wear neat clothes and covered shoes. A sleeveless shirt may be comfortable in Manila’s heat, but it will not meet the stated dress code. A light, smart-casual outfit is the safer choice.

Arrive at the I’M Hotel lobby with time to spare. The opening stop is tied to sunset, and arriving late could mean missing the best light. You should also carry your phone, identification, and enough money for drinks and food.

Eat before you meet the guide or plan to order food at one of the bars. Food is not included, and a drink-focused evening is more enjoyable when you are not drinking on an empty stomach.

Finally, keep your expectations flexible. The tour promises three venues, but nightlife changes from night to night. Music, crowds, and the exact mood of each bar may differ. The guide’s local judgment is part of the point, so let the evening have some room to change.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

The tour lasts three hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. It is led in English and begins and ends at the I’M Hotel meeting point.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Manila schedule is still moving around.

Since hotel transfer is not included, allow time to reach the meeting point yourself. The activity information does not give a group size, so ask before booking if the size of the group matters to you.

Should you book the Makati rooftop tour?

Book it if you want an easy, social introduction to Makati nightlife, especially if you are alone, new to Manila, or keen on rooftop photographs. Venus is the clear strength: friendly company, local bar connections, and help finding places you might not locate on your own.

Skip it if your priority is quiet conversation, a guaranteed sunset seat, a specific restaurant, or drinks included in the price. The $66 cost can rise once you add cocktails and food, and loud music or crowded bars may not suit everyone.

My practical verdict is positive, with one condition: treat this as a guided nightlife outing, not a sightseeing tour with drinks attached. Arrive early, dress correctly, budget for extras, and expect a social evening. If that sounds like your kind of night, the route and Venus’s easygoing approach make this a useful way to see Makati after dark.

FAQ

Where does the Makati rooftop bar tour begin?

The tour begins at the lobby of I’M Hotel in Makati.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at I’M Hotel.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours.

How many bars does the tour visit?

The advertised experience visits three different rooftop bars in one night.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking live tour guide is included, and the guide is Venus.

Are drinks included in the $66 price?

A welcome drink is included. Other drinks, including cocktails, local beer, rum, vodka, and wine, are not included in the tour price.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. You should also wear suitable clothing and covered shoes.

What clothing is not allowed?

Sandals, flip flops, sleeveless shirts, and tank tops are not allowed.