Manila

[Breadman]

I haven't explored the area around LA Café much so would be interested to hear from other forum members if there is anywhere worth visiting before or after LA Café, as it's a bit of a trip out of central Manila..

My first and only visit to this place sure differs from your view. Me and my wingman grabbed a private taxi from Makati and he never asked if we'd pay the fare for the freeway, instead he took us down some of the wildest streets I've ever seen in my life. It being dark only intensified the trip. Houses built right up to the road, people cooking right outside on grills on the sidewalks. Some of the sketchiest area's I've ever been driven through and then you'd see a couple of the hottest girls walking along the road. This went on and on and didn't stop until he pulled in front of the LA Cafe. Explore the area? That's not for the faint of heart. Yeah the area around LA Cafe might not be the worst neighborhood but if you have money in your pocket (unlike the girls above) then its best to take a taxi. Inside the place was teaming with ladies, unfortunately the few cute ones were all at one table with some Asian guys at the time. The rest of the bar was pretty much filled with your 40 year old dredges who are still trying to sell what is 20 years past the expiration date. If your on a short vacation its not worth checking out this place but on a longer trip I can see checking it out at odd times just to see what there is to see. I even looked into staying at a hotel a short walk away, luckily I changed my mind at the last minute and stayed in Makati. Just outside the club the intersection was well lit but in every direction there was just blackness and in my imagination a que of muggers lined up ready to strike.

[Ghost D]

It's been a couple of weeks since I was at LA Café, but I am happy to report that it seems to have survived the pandemic so far anyway.

L. A Café located in Del Pilar St, Ermita (all the taxi drivers know it) which is a good 25 min drive from the center (BGC, Makati) without traffic and 1+ hours with traffic, it has been one of the more interesting places to visit in Manila since I started coming here.

For those who don't know, It is a fairly large venue with a upstairs supporting live music on weekends (and a small fee to go up) and also a rear dining / billiards area that was less busy than the main bar. Inside the main circular bar there was seating at the bar and also on small high tables along with a couple of billiard tables down the back, there were so busy they started to expand into the building across the street.

Pre-Pandemic typically customers would number 1-200 there was easily 2-300 ladies in there (maybe more) so something to suit all tastes.

The place was (still is, I guess) 24/7 for those interested and while there were times it got very busy, it was always open depending on when the urge took you to go there.

Pandemic times, the expansion into the building across the street was closed, and also the upstairs part was closed.

I was there a few times over both L3 and L2 lockdown alert levels (higher is more strict), and being a restaurant LA Café actually managed to stay open through-out although I did hear it was raided a few times.

During Alert level 3, they were mostly strict in checking vaccine documents, and having a reduced volume of customers inside, so mainly ladies were restricted and with the recent introduction of L3 for a short time it lead to a large group of ladies hanging around outside waiting a turn to go in, not sure if they had a rotation system, but I haven't seen anything like that before (more ladies on the street than inside).

For Alert level 2, things are more like normal, with up to 70% capacity allowed inside, so when it got busy once or twice when I was there during this time it really started to feel like old times, the only real difference being no upstairs.

As all the ladies in there are freelancers, there is no bar fine, although there is ladies drinks and the staff will also try their luck at getting you to buy some ladies drinks for them. Prices will vary a lot, so I recommend something like 2 K short time and 3-4 K long time, and then in the moment you need to decide what you want to do, currently it's a buyer's market, although beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

There is a short term hotel very close to LA Café (it's almost next door), there a room will cost you 600 Php for 6 hours and you can have a few guests if you like (I did during L3.).

I haven't explored the area around LA Café much so would be interested to hear from other forum members if there is anywhere worth visiting before or after LA Café, as it's a bit of a trip out of central Manila.

I am also looking forward to hearing more stories and experiences in those returning or choosing to visit LA Café for the first time, enjoy and stay safe.

[WestCoast1]

You know the drill if you been to Angeles like you said you were. Sheesh.

Ya, what he said. Sheesh. Haha and enjoy this pic.

[D Cups]

Appreciate recommendations on a pub where I can find pretty girls and hook up.

Read the forums and stop asking dumb questions. You know the drill if you been to Angeles like you said you were. Sheesh.

[Raj1587]

Appreciate recommendations on a pub where I can find pretty girls and hook up.

[WestCoast1]

A 'little' something that brings morning joy. Twice. 4' 10", 80-ish lbs. My girls are the gifts that keep on giving.

[South By Sw 3]

Unfortunately traffic is back to "normal".

My friends in Manila said traffic has definitely bounced back, but not to the constant rush hour. They live in the CBD and have drivers, FWIW.

-South By SW 3 (and 2).

[Muttley81]

Upon an online search Genesis bus is back in action but limited schedules. The latest bus is at 5:00 pm. I can double back from Makati for the bus or take a car / taxi to Angeles. I am guessing traffic is not as bad as before covid.

Unfortunately traffic is back to "normal".

[Albert9989]

Why wouldn't leisure tourism be allowed? I chatted with a couple of Filipinas and at least they said "Watch the news they will open for everyone".

Of course it doesn't mean that the pandemic is over and life will be normal and free but it is not supposed to be medical tourism only etc. I think.

Give a look at the thread Phil General Infos, I guess you will find more accurate news.

Give a look here also https://parispe.dfa.gov.ph/.

And here for the full official text https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/d...SO-159-RRD.pdf.

Hope these website and text are valid, please correct me if they are not.

[Dg8787]

Looks like you are correct about the reduced hours thankfully my flight lands during operating hours thanks for looking into that they may increase these hours as the tourists come back but that's a notable concern when booking a flight to phils. I have never actually used this shuttle I was looking forward to it this time around. I usually stay a few days in manila before heading to AC and take a taxi from the taxi mafia on P burgos street. I would keep my eye on Genesis's (https://www.facebook.com/GenesisTransportInc) FB feed for updates they are fairly active on FB.

Taxis from Makati to T3 Arrivals bay 14 are quick and easy using the expressway. Hardest part is explaining to the driver you are going to ARRIVALS with your bags and not departures! Make sure the driver uses the left median and not the far right median for arrivals. This will bypass all the other bottleneck arrival bays.

[Pekkakoo]

Evidently, the link I posted, though published by the government, is not entirely clear, and is meant to apply only to those coming for medical visits and urgent / humanitarian missions, though that's not stated in the announcement. Regular "leisure" tourism is still not permitted and there's been no decision yet made on when the country will open again for tourists. I misinterpreted the announcement, and probably should not have posted it until I had sought clarification from those involved in the ongoing discussions. Evidently no one has a firm idea on even an approximate date for opening to tourists.

GE.

Why wouldn't leisure tourism be allowed? I chatted with a couple of Filipinas and at least they said "Watch the news they will open for everyone".

Of course it doesn't mean that the pandemic is over and life will be normal and free but it is not supposed to be medical tourism only etc. I think.

[Member #4794]

Upon an online search Genesis bus is back in action but limited schedules. The latest bus is at 5:00 pm. I can double back from Makati for the bus or take a car / taxi to Angeles. I am guessing traffic is not as bad as before covid.

Looks like you are correct about the reduced hours thankfully my flight lands during operating hours thanks for looking into that they may increase these hours as the tourists come back but that's a notable concern when booking a flight to phils. I have never actually used this shuttle I was looking forward to it this time around. I usually stay a few days in manila before heading to AC and take a taxi from the taxi mafia on P burgos street. I would keep my eye on Genesis's (https://www.facebook.com/GenesisTransportInc) FB feed for updates they are fairly active on FB.

[Dg8787]

Thank you gents for the info.

It has been 2 years now since I was in PH. I remember now that I took the Genesis bus from Terminal 3 to SM Clark mall. The bus was parked at Arrivals Bay 14. My flight would arrive at 10 pm, buy me a Jollibee meal #3 and I would get on the bus. I am wondering if Genesis still have that service?

Upon an online search Genesis bus is back in action but limited schedules. The latest bus is at 5:00 pm. I can double back from Makati for the bus or take a car / taxi to Angeles. I am guessing traffic is not as bad as before covid.

[Shining Wit]

Thank you gents for the info.

It has been 2 years now since I was in PH. I remember now that I took the Genesis bus from Terminal 3 to SM Clark mall. The bus was parked at Arrivals Bay 14. My flight would arrive at 10 pm, buy me a Jollibee meal #3 and I would get on the bus. I am wondering if Genesis still have that service?

I found this on the internet.

https://www.phbus.com/genesis-p2p-bus-service/

Have fun comparing the timetables! Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger.

[Dg8787]

Thank you gents for the info.

It has been 2 years now since I was in PH. I remember now that I took the Genesis bus from Terminal 3 to SM Clark mall. The bus was parked at Arrivals Bay 14. My flight would arrive at 10 pm, buy me a Jollibee meal #3 and I would get on the bus. I am wondering if Genesis still have that service?