Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour

Makati’s Mad Monkey Pub Crawl is built around a simple plan: meet at the Sky Bar, make friends over beer pong or karaoke, then walk through Poblacion to four bars with a free shot at each. The four-stop route gives you a ready-made night out without having to choose venues yourself.

I like the low price, around 800 PHP or $18, since it includes the shirt, five complimentary shots, and free entry at Sanctuary. I also like the easy social setup, especially if you are on your own. The main catch is the slow start: one recent night spent two hours at Mad Monkey, and karaoke lowered the mood for someone eager to get moving.

Key points at a glance

• Four Poblacion bars: Visit Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary, with a complimentary shot at each.
• Early meeting window: Arrive at the Sky Bar between 6 and 9 PM to meet the group and collect your Mad Monkey singlet.
• Optional afternoon walk: Join the free walking tour from 4 to 6 PM, then return for the evening crawl.
• Good social value: Beer pong, karaoke, drink specials, and a fixed route make it easy to meet people.
• Bring the basics: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, carry cash, and bring one valid ID plus your voucher.
• Adults only: The crawl is for people at least 18 years old and is not suitable for pregnant women or people with certain medical or mobility conditions.

A five-hour night built for meeting people

I see this crawl as a social shortcut. You do not need to research Makati bars, plan a route, or persuade a group to keep moving. You show up at Mad Monkey Manila, join the crew, and follow the night into Poblacion.

That makes it especially useful if you are staying at the hostel, visiting Manila alone, or arriving in Makati without a local nightlife plan. The English-speaking guide and shared meeting point help break the ice, though the supplied information does not name the individual guides.

The format is young and party-focused. You should expect a group atmosphere rather than a quiet food tour or a carefully narrated look at Makati. The main goal is meeting people, having drinks, and keeping the night moving.

The crawl is scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 9 PM. You can arrive earlier, from 6 to 9 PM, to meet the group at the Sky Bar. That early window is useful if you want to settle in, have a drink, and avoid walking into an unfamiliar crowd at the last minute.

The optional 4 to 6 PM walking tour

Mad Monkey Manila also offers a free walking tour each day from 4 to 6 PM. It is optional, so you can join the afternoon walk without committing to the pub crawl, or use it as a gentle start to your evening.

The walk is designed to show you Poblacion’s less obvious corners, though the supplied details do not list the route or specific stops. You sign up at reception and meet at the Mad Monkey Manila Café at 4 PM.

I like the way this fits with the evening schedule. You can see the area in daylight, return to the property, and then join the Sky Bar gathering later. The package includes a free drink at the Sky Bar after the walking tour, which gives you a natural transition from sightseeing to nightlife.

Do not mistake the walk for the main event. It is a useful extra, not a full city tour of Manila. If your priority is architecture, museums, or local history, you will need a different tour. If you want to get your bearings in Poblacion before going out, it can be a handy add-on.

The activity is described as being in Visayas, but the meeting point and all listed venues are in Makati’s Poblacion district, Manila. Check the map and booking details carefully before setting out, especially if you are staying outside Makati.

6 to 9 PM at Mad Sky Bar

The formal meeting point is the Mad Sky Bar at Mad Monkey Manila. You can arrive any time from 6 to 9 PM, sign up, show your voucher and valid ID at the front desk, and collect your Mad Monkey singlet.

This early period matters more than it may seem. A pub crawl works best when you arrive with enough time to meet the group before the first bar. Coming at 8:45 PM may technically work, but you will have less time to find the meeting point, check in, and get comfortable.

The included singlet is both a souvenir and a group marker. It helps you spot the crawl group as the night moves around Poblacion. You should still wear comfortable clothes underneath and shoes suited to walking between venues.

The Sky Bar also has drink options, and the activity includes a drink there after the optional walking tour. Extra food and drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want a meal or more than the included shots.

9 PM: beer pong, karaoke, and the slow start

At 9 PM, the group settles into beer pong or karaoke. This is meant to build the mood before the route begins, and it gives people a low-pressure way to start talking.

For some people, this will be the best part of the evening. If you are traveling alone, a game or a shared song gives you an easy opening. You are not expected to arrive already knowing anyone.

For others, two hours at the starting bar may feel too long. One published account from December 2025 praised the later venues but found the slow karaoke at Mad Monkey disappointing before the crawl got underway. That is a fair warning: if you want immediate movement and loud party music, the 9 to 11 PM opening may test your patience.

I would treat this period as social time rather than dead time. Meet people, order only what you want, and remember that additional drinks are at your own cost. If karaoke is not your thing, beer pong offers another way to pass the time.

11 PM: the Thriller in Manila shot and Almacen

At about 11 PM, the group takes the included Thriller in Manila location shot. This is a signature part of the Mad Monkey branding and a clear signal that the walking portion of the crawl is beginning.

The first listed stop is Almacen, a Mexican-themed bar. You receive a free shot on arrival. The theme gives the stop a distinct identity, which is helpful after spending the opening hours at the Sky Bar.

The time between venues is short, so the route is designed for momentum. You should expect a quick visit rather than a long dinner or a full evening at each location. Food is not included, and no meal schedule is provided, so eat before the crawl if you need something substantial.

The first stop also sets your expectations for the rest of the night. This is a bar-to-bar social route, not a tasting tour. The free shots are part of the package, but you do not need to match anyone else’s drinking pace.

11:45 PM: Japanese style at Kampai

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

The short interval between Almacen and Kampai keeps the route compact. It also means you should be ready to leave when the group does. Comfortable shoes are important, and large bags, luggage, and handcarts are not allowed.

Kampai is one of the more specific details that makes this crawl easier to picture. You are not simply being taken to four unnamed bars. Each stop has its own theme or character, and the shots follow that setting.

Still, the experience depends on how much you enjoy quick venue changes. If you prefer to settle into one bar, order food, and listen to music for several hours, this format may feel rushed. If you like variety and want to see several places in one night, the pace works in your favor.

12:30 AM: Annex House in Poblacion

The next stop is Annex House, described as a distinctive bar in Poblacion. The schedule places the group there at about 12:30 AM.

The details are lighter here, with no specific drink style or entertainment listed. That means you should think of Annex House as part of the route’s variety rather than arrive expecting a particular show or activity.

By this point, the group has spent several hours together. The social benefit of the crawl becomes clearer here. You are no longer starting conversations from scratch, and the shared route gives everyone something to talk about.

You should keep track of your belongings as the night progresses. Large bags are not permitted, and the organizers specifically advise bringing cash. A small personal bag is more practical than luggage, but the available rules do not specify an exact bag size.

1:15 AM: Sanctuary and free entry

The final listed stop is Sanctuary, one of Poblacion’s well-loved bars. The package includes another free shot on arrival and free entry for the pub crawl group. The stated saving on entry is 500 PHP.

This is one of the strongest value points in the whole package. If you planned to visit Sanctuary anyway, free entry plus the included shot improves the financial case for the crawl. It also means the group can finish at a venue without asking everyone to pay a separate door charge.

The schedule places arrival at about 1:15 AM. The crawl is intended to end after the Sanctuary stop, but you can continue your own night in Poblacion afterward. The exact departure time is not clearly presented: the schedule says the tour officially ends at 2 PM, while the advertised duration is five hours and the nighttime sequence points to approximately 2 AM. I would confirm the end time before booking, since 2 AM is the timing that fits the route.

What the 800 PHP price really includes

At roughly 800 PHP, or about $18, the price is reasonable for a party night if you use the inclusions. You receive:

• A Mad Monkey Manila singlet
• The Thriller in Manila shot
• One free shot at each of four bars
• Free entry at Sanctuary
• A drink at the Sky Bar after the optional walking tour
• Access to the group route and English-speaking guide
• The optional free walking tour

The value is strongest for someone who wants a social evening and would otherwise pay cover charges or buy drinks at several venues. The free Sanctuary entry alone is useful, and the included shots reduce the cost of sampling the route.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group nightlife, or plan to stay at one venue. Extra drinks and food are not included, and gratuity is separate. The price also does not guarantee that every venue will suit your taste.

I would not choose this as a bargain drinking package alone. I would choose it because it combines a ready-made group, a shirt, several venues, and a simple plan for the night.

Who should book this crawl

I would recommend it most strongly to adults under 18, traveling alone, with friends who want a busy night, or staying at Mad Monkey Manila. The published ratings are strong overall at 4.5 out of 5 from two verified bookings, including one full five-star rating and one four-star rating. The higher praise centers on having fun and finding the route worthwhile, while the main criticism concerns the opening karaoke period.

You should book if you like:

• Meeting new people quickly
• Trying several bars in one night
• A younger party crowd
• Short walks between Poblacion venues
• Included drinks and a clear schedule
• The option to continue your night after the official route

You may want another plan if you need quiet conversation, a guaranteed music style, a food-focused evening, or a slower pace. The opening period can include karaoke that does not suit everyone, and the activity is not designed for children, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with back problems, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The organizers also prohibit pets, weapons or sharp objects, alcohol and drugs brought into the activity, bare feet, luggage, and large bags. Bring one valid ID, your voucher, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and cash. Arrive 30 minutes before the tour begins, even though the Sky Bar meeting window starts earlier.

Should you book the Makati Pub Crawl?

Book this if you want an easy, social night in Poblacion and value the company as much as the venues. The singlet, five included shots, four-bar route, and Sanctuary entry make 800 PHP a fair deal for a five-hour evening.

I would arrive early, join the Sky Bar gathering, and use the first two hours to meet people rather than expect nonstop music. If that slower start sounds annoying, you may prefer to meet the group later or choose your own bar plan. Also confirm the end time, since the supplied schedule lists 2 PM even though the route clearly fits a late-night finish.

For a solo visitor or anyone wanting a ready-made Manila night out, this is a practical choice. For a quiet, polished, or food-centered evening, skip it.

FAQ

When does the Makati Pub Crawl take place?

The pub crawl runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. The main crawl begins at 9 PM, with arrival at the Mad Sky Bar available from 6 to 9 PM.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at the Mad Sky Bar at Mad Monkey Manila. You sign up for the crawl at the property and collect your Mad Monkey singlet there.

What bars are included?

The route lists Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary in Poblacion. You receive a free shot at each bar, plus free entry at Sanctuary.

Is the walking tour included?

The optional walking tour is free and runs daily from 4 to 6 PM. Sign up at reception and meet at the Mad Monkey Manila Café at 4 PM. The evening crawl itself runs only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, cash, one valid ID, and your voucher. Large bags, luggage, handcarts, pets, weapons, alcohol, drugs, and sharp objects are not allowed.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the booking terms.