Digital Nomad Ermita Nightlife Guide

Formerly THE place to be in Manila, time has not been kind to Ermita. Gone are many of the institutions, such as the Hobbit House and Swagman Hotel, but it is not all doom and gloom!

Ermita, with its proximity to the restaurants of China, Korea and Japan Towns, as well as a few institutions when it comes to bars, is still the best place to party that is close to the airport.

What the Ermita?

Ermita is one of the old central districts of Manila and sits between Malate, Intramuros and the area around Rizal Park and Manila Bay. It covers only around 1.59 square kilometres and is divided into 13 barangays. The district had a population of 7,798 in 1990, but that had risen to more than 20,000 across its 13 barangays by the 2024 census. Historically this was one of the more important and cosmopolitan parts of Manila, with the area becoming particularly associated with Americans and foreign residents during the colonial period.

Today it is a mixture of hotels, universities, government buildings, restaurants, malls, bars and the general madness that is central Manila. It is also where you will find Robinsons Place Manila, Rizal Park and the US Embassy, making it a pretty useful base for a visitor.

The Glory Years

Before Covid this was one of the best nightspots in Manila, but it has fallen on hard times. In the past there were bars everywhere, with classics like the Hobbit House and the Swagman Hotel being institutions.

There were even buses to Angeles City, but although not quite to the level of Pub Street in Phnom Penh, things are not what they were to say the least.

Where to drink in Ermita

There’s a heap of all-you-drink type karaoke joints that in all honesty are no better than clip joints and best avoided. This leaves a set of places I at least think are good.

Smorgasbord

Like the knackers yard for elderly sex workers. Decent food though (would you guess they have a buffet). Draft beer and an eclectic clientele. Some nights are banging, some really are not.

Magees

Dive bar slightly off the main drag that is rarely busy and has ropey singers. Recently got renovated, which is a shame as I am uncomfortable with change.

The Duck Inn

Decent bar that has a smoking area. Sometimes the girls here dress up in school uniform, which is nice. Has some proper crazy nights, but can also be dead at times. Staff not always so friendly. It’s all a hotel and does a banging breakfast.

Dusk Till Dawn

Probably my favourite bar on the trench. Has great staff, good singers and a proper party atmosphere. Again, the staff have different themed nights, which includes uniform. Has a decent food menu, but this is not a great daytime haunt.

LA Cafe

Now this place is an institution and a half! Open 24 hours, has pool and live music upstairs, as well as karaoke. This is basically where freelancers hang out and a man gets to feel like most women feel in bars. My goodness, everyone is so friendly and they even have a hotel bed door that rents by the hour. This place deserves its own article.

Eating in Ermita

There’s a whole heap of really good Korean and Japanese restaurants in the area, as well as every fast food you can imagine at Robinsons Mall. Oh and yes, there is a Jollibee.

Dad’s World Buffet

Dads World Buffet – Padre Faura is one of the old Manila buffet institutions and is right in Ermita. Filipino food, seafood and a whole load of other stuff, with the buffet being the main attraction.

Soban K-Town Grill

Soban K-Town Grill 소반 – Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita is inside Robinsons Place Manila and is a good option if you fancy Korean barbecue without going far.

Botejyu

Botejyu SM City Manila is a Japanese option in nearby SM City Manila, serving the usual Japanese comfort food including okonomiyaki and katsu.

Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant

Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant is just over the road in Intramuros and is one of the classic choices for Filipino food in a historical setting.

The Aristocrat Restaurant

The Aristocrat is another Manila institution and is a short trip along Roxas Boulevard from Ermita. Filipino food, barbecue and the sort of classic Manila dishes that have been around forever

Sleeping in Ermita

Ermita has hotels from as little as $25 a night, but seriously, you get what you pay for. The dream range at places like Bayview, or Citystate is around the $40-50 mark, although there’s also a Sheraton and some high-end stuff.

Do not stay at Manila Lotus Garden as they are robbing bastards. They once quite literally stole $50 from me, I have now made that the most expensive 50 bucks they have ever got.

Bayview Park Hotel

Bayview Park Hotel Manila is right on Roxas Boulevard and is one of the more obvious choices. Current 2026 promotional rates start around PHP2,688 / US$46 for a standard room, with breakfast rates from PHP2,999 / US$51.

Citystate Tower Hotel

Citystate Tower Hotel is another old-school Ermita option. Current published room rates start at PHP2,665 / US$45 for a Standard Room, while their 2026 accommodation promotion has offered rooms from PHP2,150 / US$37 including breakfast.

Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel is the baller option, overlooking Rizal Park and Manila Bay. Rooms are generally around PHP5,500 / US$94 and upwards depending on the date.

Sheraton Manila Bay

Sheraton Manila Bay is another higher-end option on the Malate/Ermita border, with rooms generally around PHP7,500 / US$128 and upwards.

Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros

The Bayleaf is another popular higher-end option nearby, particularly if you want to stay inside the old walls of Intramuros. Expect roughly PHP5,000 / US$85 and upwards depending on dates.

While this is not exactly a condo area, they do exist, as do rental properties. Prices in general are decent.

Studio condos can be found from around PHP17,000 / US$290 per month, with more typical furnished studios around PHP20,000-26,000 / US$340-445. One-bedroom units are generally around PHP25,000-35,000 / US$425-600, while larger and more luxurious units can go considerably higher. Current listings include studios from PHP17,000 and one-bedroom units around PHP30,000 per month.

Cost of living in Ermita

Another one of those places that you can really spend as much, or indeed as little as you want!

Local meal: PHP150-300 / US$3-5
Fast food meal: PHP150-300 / US$3-5
Decent restaurant meal: PHP400-800 / US$7-14
Coffee: PHP120-250 / US$2-4
Local beer: PHP70-120 / US$1-2
Imported beer: PHP120-200 / US$2-3
Cocktail: PHP250-500 / US$4-9
Jeepney ride: PHP13-20 / US$0.20-0.35
Short Grab ride: PHP100-250 / US$2-4
Gym: PHP1,000-2,500 / US$17-43 per month
Studio condo: PHP17,000-26,000 / US$290-445 per month
Hotel room: PHP2,000-4,000 / US$34-68 per night

Monthly cost of living: PHP35,000-70,000 / US$600-1,200 if renting long-term, but can easily get much higher if you really wanna spend.

Digital Nomad Ermita

While Malate, or Makati are probably better for nomads, Ermita is not a bad choice either. There’s a heap of cafes related to the malls, hotels are cheap and all the bars have Wi-Fi. And as discussed, it has a baller nightlife scene.

Data is also cheap. Smart currently has 24GB for 30 days for PHP299 / US$5, while Globe has Go+ packages starting at PHP99 / US$2 for 20GB for seven days, with larger packages available. DITO has 20GB for 30 days for PHP199 / US$3.40, going up to 62GB for PHP499 / US$9.

The main question here and why Pasay might be better is that you might find there are just too many distractions here. This is the kinda town where you can lose your lunch, or worse.

Therefore I give it a good firm 6/10 on the Digital Nomad scale. Much better than Port Moresby.

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