Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour

Makati’s Mad Monkey Pub Crawl is built around one simple idea: get a roomful of people together, hand them a free shot, and send them into Poblacion’s nightlife. You begin at the Mad Sky Bar, warm up with beer pong or karaoke, then visit four bars with a shot at each stop.

I like the easy social setup and the fact that the route includes different themes, from Mexican at Almacen to Japanese at Kampai. I also like the value: 800 PHP includes the shirt, the opening shot, four bar shots, and free entry at Sanctuary. The main caution is the slow start. The group can spend two hours at the Mad Monkey bar, and karaoke may not suit everyone.

Key points at a glance

• Four bars in Poblacion: Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary form the main route.
• Meet at 6 PM to 9 PM: You can arrive early at the Mad Sky Bar, with the official crawl building from 9 PM.
• Five included shots: You receive the Thriller in Manila shot plus one at each bar.
• A social night for solo visitors: Beer pong, karaoke, and a shared route make meeting people simple.
• Optional afternoon walking tour: The free Poblacion walk runs daily from 4 PM to 6 PM.
• Best for adults who enjoy late nights: You must be at least 18, and the evening ends around 2 AM.

Starting at the Mad Sky Bar from 6 PM

The evening begins at the Mad Sky Bar inside Mad Monkey Manila. You can arrive anytime between 6 PM and 9 PM to meet the group, sign up, and collect your Mad Monkey Manila singlet.

The early arrival is useful if you are on your own. It gives you time to find the meeting point, talk with the crawl hosts, and recognize the people who will be walking with you later. You do not need to arrive at 6 PM, but arriving close to 9 PM means less time to settle in before the main activity begins.

There is also a free daily walking tour from 4 PM to 6 PM. It is optional, but it can work well for anyone who wants a fuller evening around Poblacion. You sign up at reception and meet at the Mad Monkey Manila Café at 4 PM. After the walk, the included drink at the Sky Bar gives you a natural bridge into the pub crawl.

Bring your voucher and one valid ID to the Mad Monkey Manila front desk. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This is a walking night, and bare feet, large bags, luggage, handcarts, weapons, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

The 9 PM warm-up: beer pong and karaoke

At 9 PM, the group settles into the first part of the night with beer pong or karaoke. This is meant to break the ice before the bar-to-bar route begins.

The social design is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You do not have to approach every person cold on the street. The group already has a shared plan, and simple games give you a reason to start talking. If you arrive alone, this is probably the most useful part of the evening.

The drawback is the length of this opening session. The group can remain at Mad Monkey until about 11 PM. One recent rating praised the later bars but found the opening karaoke too slow, especially when people were singing quieter songs. That is worth knowing if you prefer a quick start and loud music from the moment you arrive.

You can improve the evening by arriving with realistic expectations. Treat the first two hours as a social hour, not as the main bar route. Have a drink, collect your shirt, meet the group, and save some energy for the later stops.

11 PM: the Thriller in Manila shot

At about 11 PM, the group takes the included Thriller in Manila shot. This is the crawl’s signature location shot and acts as the formal starting point for the four-bar route.

The booking includes this shot along with one free shot at each bar. That gives you five included shots in total. Additional food and drinks are not included, so bring cash for anything beyond the package.

The shots are a fun part of the price, but pace yourself. You are not just visiting one bar. The route continues past midnight, and the last stop is around 1:15 AM. You will get more from the evening if you treat the included drinks as small tasting stops rather than a contest.

Almacen at about 11 PM

The first bar is Almacen, a Mexican-themed venue. The group reaches it after the opening shot, and your first free bar shot is served there.

The appeal of starting at Almacen is variety. You leave the Mad Sky Bar and move into a themed venue, which gives the crawl a clear change of scene. It also keeps the first stop focused: arrive, take the included shot, enjoy the bar, and get ready to move again.

The scheduled stay is short, roughly 45 minutes before the group leaves for Kampai. That timing helps keep the night moving, but it also means you should not expect a long, relaxed visit at every bar. If one place appeals to you, make a note of it, since you can return to Poblacion after the formal route ends.

Kampai at 11:45 PM

Around 11:45 PM, the group moves to Kampai, a Japanese-themed bar. The included shot here is sake-based, giving the second stop its own small identity rather than repeating the same drink at every venue.

Kampai is part of what makes this crawl more useful than simply meeting at one bar. You get a quick sample of several Poblacion venues, with the group acting as your guide between them. The walking also gives you a sense of how close the venues are within the district.

Do not expect a full food tour or a detailed explanation of Japanese drinks. Food and extra drinks cost more, and the experience is centered on nightlife rather than dining. If you need a meal, plan for that separately before or during the evening.

Annex House at 12:30 AM

The third stop is Annex House, reached at about 12:30 AM. It is described as a distinctive bar in Poblacion, and the group has time to enjoy the venue before moving on.

By this point, the shape of the night is clear. You have met the group, visited two bars, and had several included shots. Annex House gives you another change of setting without asking you to organize the route yourself.

This is also when tiredness can begin to matter. The crawl starts early if you join the 4 PM walking tour, and it officially continues until around 2 AM. You do not need to join every activity before the pub crawl. If you want a stronger late-night experience, skip the afternoon walk and arrive for the evening meetup.

Sanctuary at about 1:15 AM

The final scheduled stop is Sanctuary, one of the best-known stops on this route. You receive another free shot on arrival, and the pub crawl includes free entry. The stated saving on entry is 500 PHP, which makes this stop especially important when judging the overall price.

The timing works in your favor here. Sanctuary is the last official stop, so you can enjoy the bar without worrying about leaving for another scheduled venue. If the earlier stops felt rushed, this is the point where you have more freedom to settle in.

The crawl officially ends around 2 AM, but you can continue your night in Poblacion afterward. The organizers do not provide a final transfer, meal, or extra drinks as part of the package. Plan your own way back and keep enough cash for the rest of the evening.

What 800 PHP really covers

The advertised price is 800 PHP per person, while the experience summary gives a price of about $18. Currency values change, so check the current amount when booking.

For that price, you receive:

• A Mad Monkey Manila singlet
• The Thriller in Manila shot
• One shot at each of the four bars
• Free entry at Sanctuary
• Access to the organized crawl
• An optional free walking tour if you choose to join it
• A free drink at the Mad Sky Bar after the walking tour

The value depends on how much of the package you use. If you visit all four bars, take the included shots, wear the shirt, and make use of Sanctuary’s free entry, the fee is reasonable. It is also useful for solo visitors who would otherwise spend time and money finding several venues alone.

The price does not include meals, extra drinks, or gratuity. You should carry cash, especially if you plan to stay out after 2 AM. The package is not a full night of free drinking. Think of it as a structured introduction to several bars, with enough included extras to make the route worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this night most

I would recommend the crawl to adults who want a social night and do not want to plan every stop. It is particularly suited to people staying at Mad Monkey Manila, solo visitors, and anyone who likes meeting others through games and group activities.

It also suits younger groups well. One rating specifically praised the experience for a younger crowd. That does not mean age is formally restricted beyond the 18-plus rule, but the format is clearly aimed at an energetic late night with karaoke, beer pong, shots, and music.

You may prefer another plan if you want quiet conversation, a food-focused evening, or a carefully paced cocktail tour. The schedule is late, the group moves on a fixed route, and the opening period can feel slow if you are eager to leave for the first outside bar.

The activity is not suitable for children, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. The walking and late finish are important factors, not minor footnotes.

Practical tips for a better crawl

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour begins, especially if you need to check in or show your ID and voucher. For the main crawl, that means getting to Mad Monkey Manila around 8:30 PM, though you can arrive as early as 6 PM.

Wear shoes that can handle several hours on your feet. Keep your clothing comfortable and leave large bags at your accommodation, since luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Eat before the shots begin. Food is not included, and the schedule does not promise a meal stop. A proper meal beforehand will help you enjoy the evening without relying on bar snacks.

Keep your drinking pace under control. The included shots arrive at regular intervals, and extra drinks are available along the way. You will enjoy the route more if you still have energy at Sanctuary.

If karaoke is not your thing, use the first two hours to meet people, play beer pong, or simply have a drink. The opening session is part of the social setup, but it does not have to be the highlight of your night.

The activity is conducted in English. You should also keep your voucher and valid ID easy to reach at check-in.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. The activity can also be cancelled by Mad Monkey with a full refund.

A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is available, which helps if your Makati plans are not fixed. Check the start-time availability when booking, since the activity lasts about five hours and the exact schedule matters for the rest of your night.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a ready-made night out, enjoy meeting people quickly, and like the idea of four different Poblacion bars without planning the route yourself. The included shirt, five shots, and Sanctuary entry give the 800 PHP price solid practical value.

Skip it if you dislike group nightlife, do not want a late finish, or prefer to choose your own music and venues. The two-hour warm-up at Mad Monkey may test your patience, especially if karaoke slows the mood.

My advice is to join the optional walking tour only if you want a full afternoon and evening. Otherwise, arrive around 8:30 PM, settle in, enjoy the social games, pace the shots, and treat the later bars as the main event.

FAQ

Where does the Makati Pub Crawl meet?

Meet at the Mad Sky Bar at Mad Monkey Manila. You can arrive anytime between 6 PM and 9 PM to meet the group and sign up.

What time does the main pub crawl begin?

The main pub crawl begins at 9 PM. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour begins for check-in.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity lasts about five hours. The formal route ends around 2 AM.

Which bars does the crawl visit?

The route visits Almacen, Kampai, Annex House, and Sanctuary in Poblacion.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a Mad Monkey Manila singlet, the Thriller in Manila shot, a shot at each bar, and free entry at Sanctuary. An optional free walking tour is also available.

Is food included?

No. Additional food and drinks are not included, so bring cash if you want to eat or order more drinks.

Is the walking tour required?

No. The walking tour is optional. It runs daily from 4 PM to 6 PM, with sign-up at reception.

How old do I have to be to join?

You must be at least 18 years old. A valid ID and voucher must be shown at the Mad Monkey Manila front desk.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, cash, your voucher, and a valid ID.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. A full refund is also available if Mad Monkey cancels the activity.