Tired of just binge-watching series and movies at home? Here's a list of cool places around the city you may visit with your friends for fun activities
Bonding with friends can be just plain and simple like having dinner or some drinks up to the wee hours. However for some, it would be such a waste to spend hours just sitting around. Why don't you and your buddies go out and have some FUN? We've rounded up some of Manila's coolest places to be—not just to kill time but also to have the ultimate bonding experience that is one for the books.
Breakout Philippines
Immerse yourself in an interactive game where you need to find clues and solve logic puzzles while handling unexpected twists and turns brought about by uniquely crafted thematic elements. It's a very fun experience with friends but while in it, remember to be patient and understanding as the game somehow tests your loyalty to each other. The goal is to escape the room in 45 minutes or less so it is important to have a strategic plan in solving the puzzles.
Paragon Plaza, EDSA corner Reliance Street, Mandaluyong City
Jump Yard
The first and biggest indoor trampoline park in the Philippines is currently one of the hottest destinations for groups. Perhaps it's because of its over 200 square metres of jumping space or maybe the experience is unique. Jumpers can jump as high as they can, bounce off the walls, and land on a soft bed of foam. Attractions include Dodge Ball (which you could play with your friends), Slam Dunk Basketball, Foam Pit (with Monkey Bars and Balance Beam), and more. Don't worry! Jump Yard has security staff to marshal the areas.
Frontera Verde, C5 corner Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
Flying Trapeze
Have you always been fascinated with circus acts? Fly high at the first and only full size flying trapeze rig in the country. It is great for all ages, skill levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced), shapes and sizes. It even allows you to tone your upper body and core muscles in a fun and challenging environment.
24 Federacion Drive, Taguig, Metro Manila
Sip & Gogh
Socialise with your friends the French way with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon (or any that you fancy) and channel your inner Vincent Van Gogh with your post-impressionist masterpieces. Sip & Gogh is a first-of-its-kind in the country and invites guests to enjoy art and wine in the most natural and spontaneous way.
Capitol Hills Drive, Matandang Balara, Quezon City
Cool Beans Café
Being the first library café in the country, it is hard to miss Cool Beans Café. Experience homey ambience at the café with your mug of quality Benguet coffee (or any caffeine-fix you prefer) while enjoying Cool Beans' exclusive collections of National Geographic, TIME, and Life magazines, coffee table books dedicated to visual arts, graphic design, painting, and photography, diverse books on travel, history, biography, non-fiction, and even your favourite contemporary novels, classics, young adult fiction, graphic novels, children's books, and more. They even have an extensive Filipiniana collection you can explore.
67A Maginhawa Street, UP Village, Quezon City
Ludo Board Game Café
Perhaps the most popular boardgame café, Ludo has branches in Quezon City and Makati City and boasts over 700 boardgames in its collection. Surely, the place is packed everyday with gamers but that's a good thing because if you're brave enough, you may challenge them and gain new friends. Be sure to order something and you have all the time to enjoy Dungeons & Dragons or a quick round of Cards Against Humanities.
Jupiter Stret, Makati City; Scout Torillo Street corner Scout Fuentebella Street, Quezon City
Craft MNL
Similar to Sip & Gogh, Craft MNL offers art projects to its guests. However, prepare to get your hands dirty as there are lots of artworks and crafts that you could do besides painting. From sewing, felting and embroidery to printmaking, to weaving local threads and fibres of traditional craft history, to brewing craft beer, guests will definitely have an art attack.
Jackson Building, 926 Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City
Filling Station
If you want to cosplay with your friends as the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies, the best place to dine is the Filling Station. Its a '50s-themed American diner with everything that comes with it. Billiards? They've got it. Vinyls? Telephone Booth? Yes and Yes! They even have a top-down vintage car as dining table where you can enjoy your burgers and smoothies (just like in Pulp Fiction).
P. Burgos St. Poblacion, Makati City
Cinema '76 Film Society
There are lots of cinemas in the metro but there is only a few that is dedicated purely to Filipino independent films. Cinema '76 brings the latest indie films, sometimes just weeks after the various independent film festivals, to its discriminating movie audience. With this, younger film enthusiasts are able to appreciate award-winning films and it has also been an avenue for filmmakers to discuss their works with an audience in an intimate setup. Inspired by the year 1976 in Philippine Cinema (a Golden year marked by such classics as Lino Brocka's "Insiang" and "Lunes, Martes...." Eddie Romero's "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon," Ishmael Bernal's "Nunal sa Tubig" and "Ligaw na Bulaklak," Mike De Leon's "Itim," Mario O'Hara's "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos," Lupita A. Concio's "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo," and "Alkitrang Dugo"), Cinema '76 is committed to helping solidify the current Golden Age of Philippine Cinema.
160 Luna Mencias Street, San Juan City
PAGASA Astronomical Observatory
Located inside the campus of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, the astronomical observatory of PAGASA is equipped with a 45-cm. computer-based telescope donated by the Japanese Government thru its cultural- grant-aid program. It is the biggest ever acquired by the PAGASA since the establishment of the observatory in 1954 and is now the largest operational telescope in the country. It is very powerful that astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts may now conduct effective observations of stellar bodies and other distant space objects.
Diliman, Quezon City
Ball Pit Manila
Remember when you were just a toddler and would spend countless hours at the ball pit? It's time to stop reminiscing and jump into the first and biggest adult ball pit in the country. With estimated 80,000 balls to play with, everybody may have a good time inside the coolest and biggest indoor playground in the city. Book your ticket in advance to be sure that you and your friends will enjoy enough space.
101 Urban Avenue, Makati City
Ninja Academy
Achieve your dreams of becoming a ninja with the first indoor parkour facility in the country. Ninja Academy opened in 2014 and more than parkour, it also offers services where customers can maximise their physical capabilities. Have 30-minute circuit training and 30-minute obstacle course at the Gauntlet Class, or learn the art of swordmanship at the Kenjutsu Class. Ninja Academy also offers calisthenics and tricking, which is a combination of martial arts, gymnastics, and capoeira.
2nd Flr Industria Mall, Circulo Verde, Calle Industria, Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Climb Central Manila
Prepare for some real action at Climb Central Manila, the biggest wall climbing facility in Asia. It is open to beginners, experienced, and even young climbers as the coaches brief the guests before they do lead climbing. As the sport requires teamwork and mutual trust for the lead climber and the belayer, this is definitely a #FriendshipGoal. What's also cool about this is that it is a helpful preliminary for those beginners who wish to rock climb on an actual mountain.
Unit 02, The Portal, Mayflower Street,, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City
Game Over
For an overload of gaming options and flooding flashbacks of awesome childhood, visit Game Over and enjoy not only its great food and drinks but also all game consoles imaginable. Restart on your favourite games with Game Over's Atari, PlayStation, and Wii as well as their computers where you and your buddies may play a game together. If looking for more old school, it also has a number of boardgames to choose from. Other interesting finds also in Game Over is the vast collection of toys and games of its owners that will take you on a nostalgic trip to your childhood.
31 Xavierville Ave, Quezon City