Exploring the vibrance of Poblacion and what sets it apart from other nightlife districts

If one would believe that Pobla owes its lineage to Cubao Expo with its tote bags and bucket hats, Pobla, as a comparison, is more of a lifestyle than it is a trend. Its themed architecture is more akin to refurbished homes than stalls. Streets serve as parking lots. Its crowd acts less like they were on a phase if BGC is too much of a facade and Katipunan and Morayta are filled with students waiting to graduate and move on.

These manifestos, however, could prove to be too premature. Pobla is indeed young. When COVID-19 hit, it had fears of dying. Its life as a hip neighborhood, gentrified it may be, was only gaining steam from its origins as a red light district. But as proven by now, Pobla didn't die. It lived on. Is it thanks to word of mouth and trending videos and pitctures? Or a resistance to being obsolete? Pobla has become a place for going out and clubbing—and it has no reason for stopping.

Food tripping in style

There are plenty of choices to choose from if you're craving a food trip in Pobla. If you fancy local cuisine, you can cross Kalayaan Avenue for Don Pedro St. where you can find Alamat Filipino Cuisine. Below it is Nolita Joe's, serving various flavors of pizza with its selection of original draft beers. Cuisines from different cultures are replete here, and street food is always available if you're on a tight budget. 

Along this area is where you could also find Onlypans Tacqueria, famous for its tacos and burritos. This is the taqueria's second branch, with the first being in San Juan, La Union and a third in Katipunan.

“La Union gave us that warm and supportive start, but as we grew, I realized that Poblacion had the kind of energy and diversity that aligned with what Onlypans is about,” its founder Auds Cruz told PhilSTAR L!fe.

“Every branch of Onlypans has a special vibe, but Poblacion is its own beast—in the best way possible. It’s a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and lifestyles. You’ll see students, artists, entrepreneurs, and tourists all mingling here. There’s a rawness and authenticity in Poblacion that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s where food, nightlife, and creativity collide, and being in the middle of all that energy is inspiring.”

Onlypans started out selling takeout in a small house in Makati during the pandemic. Amidst its success over the years, it recently experienced a drawback as a fire broke out near the vicinity, affecting the taqueria's operations for months.

“It was a heartbreaking moment, seeing our Poblacion branch impacted by something so unexpected. But instead of letting it defeat us, we used it as a chance to rebuild stronger. The support from our community reminded us why we do this in the first place. We came back with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to keep showing up, no matter the challenges,” said Cruz.

“Poblacion represents so much of what Onlypans stands for: resilience, creativity, and the belief that good food can bring people together,” she added.

Past the beer houses and strip clubs along P. Burgos Street—vestiges reminiscent of Poblacion's origins as a red light district—are more zany places like the Egyptian-themed Oculto, roof-top club Sanctuary, and Futur:st, the sister bar of famed and now-defunct bar TodayxFuture in Cubao. But if you’re up for more hearty meals, then seated at the end of the sultry and seedy street is the three-story-tall diner named Filling Station Bar and Cafe, the crowning glory of the area.

“Our restaurant’s story spans 35 years of observing, learning, and asking ourselves, 'What do people want to see?' We’ve embraced the lively, neon-lit spirit of P. Burgos, creating a place that feels like everybody’s restaurant—a true reflection of our community,” Ysabel Del Gallego, Filling Station's head of dining operations, shared with L!fe.

Brimming with carefully curated vintage American pop-culture memorabilia, its aesthetic screams consumerist maximalism as exemplified by the faces of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley plastered on every corner of its walls, vinyl records on every inch of the ceiling, and life-sized statues of movie and comic-book characters hanging out on every corner. You can even dine in a retro Cadillac! Its delicious menu is rivaled (or even bested) by this eye candy interior that attracts vloggers and food tourists all over the country.

“Our journey wasn’t always smooth, but everything changed when we added the neon lights to our facade,” recalled Cristina Del Gallego, Filling Station's executive chef. The viral popularity of the diner wasn’t expected by the owners themselves. But what was once a mom-and-pop shop quickly grew to a sensation through organic word of mouth.

“The buzz they created, especially in the age of Instagram and social media, brought in people of all ages, sharing their experiences and spreading the word for us. We’ve been fortunate to host celebrities, photoshoots, and countless memorable moments, but it’s our loyal customers who have truly shaped our success,” she continued.

Clubbing for everyone

As the night deepens, so does the urge for chaos. Pobla’s bars and nightclubs are always jam-packed and blasting tunes on weekends and even weekdays. Beside every resto is a bar. Some restaurants even function as clubs simultaneously like Alamat. Besides Alamat is the Caribbean bar and resto Buccaneers Rum & Kitchen, which are always full of foreigners. 

In Agimat at Ugat Foraging Bar, you can try local cuisine with a showman’s flair. Here, you can taste Destileria Barako’s Pinoy-distilled spirits–the Ube Cream Liquer, Kanto Perya Popcorn Vodka, and its Salted Caramel variety, among others. Agimat is temporarily closed as of writing, however, and promises to return soon.

On Kalayaan Ave., there is Reverie, formerly Notorious HQ. In the same area on Fermina St., Kampai serves Japanese delicacies like sushi and tempura as pulutan with its liquor and disco ball. On the same street is Tango, Guilt, and Apothecary—clubs which are quickly gaining steam among the Gen Z. 

In Pobla, there is a crowd and vibe for anyone in different walks of life. There are rooftop clubs that offer skyline views while raving like Lynx Gastro Lounge, and the aforementioned Sanctuary. The White Rabbit Building houses Apotheka and Ugly Duck Rooftop Lounge and Kitchen.

Blocks away is a three-story building where each floor is its own dance club. Named The Bolthole Bar, it is one of the most popular clubs in the whole joint. Here, you can happen upon the occasional celebrity and personality on the dance floor. 

For a more chill night of drinking, UNWND Boutique Hotel is a stay-in hotel that has a bar that anyone can go to. True to its name, The Spirits Library's interior is stacked with ceiling-high cabinets full of liquor. It plays live acoustic music perfect for romantic dates. For a chat with friends, Tambai Yakitori Snackhouse is an intimate place that can easily get rowdy when you need it to be.

If a group is looking for wholesome delight, The Fun Roof, located on General Luna St., is a bar that is moreso an open rooftop arcade that serves drinks. Here, you could play mini golf, bowling, shuriken throws, basketball, and baseball inside a batting cage.

Like Onlypans, Almacen on Matilde St. serves Mexican cuisine. But unlike the taqueria, it is a chaotic club full of electric people. Plastered on its walls and ceilings are banderitas, lucha posters, and Dia de los Muertos decor. There's a photobooth inside built in to capture drunk moments with friends. 

Rambo Nuñez, the chief marketing officer of Forefront Lifestyle Group that manages Almacen, recounts how the bar “was actually a happy accident” born mid-conversation during a meeting with someone. Then and there, the owners realized the need for it to resonate with the neighborhood.

“At that time, Poblacion had this grungy, edgy vibe—equal parts dirty and dangerous but still exciting. It reminded us of the way we viewed Mexican culture and concepts: bold, vibrant, and a little wild,” Nuñez said in an interview with L!fe.

“Almacen has always had this intangible quality, a vibe that keeps people coming back. Maybe it’s the music that gets everyone moving, the fun energy of the crowd, or the way our cocktails seem to spark connections. It’s a place where memories are made (and sometimes forgotten), where nights take unexpected turns, and where the spirit of Poblacion comes alive. We’ve always strived to give an epic experience.”

The area has seen tenants come and go while facing challenges during the pandemic. But Almacen pushed through, serving Mexican food for takeout. Now, it even expanded with Lujo and Cantina beside it.

“Lujo and Cantina are for the same people who loved Almacen in its early days but are now looking for something that reflects where they are in life. By staying in tune with our crowd as they grow, we’re keeping the Poblacion scene dynamic and ensuring there’s always a place for them to celebrate, no matter how their tastes evolve.”

“At the end of the day, every year is a challenge for a bar. Most concepts don’t last beyond two or three years, so staying relevant means consistently listening to what the crowd wants and evolving with them. It’s about adapting, experimenting, and always finding ways to keep the space alive and exciting.”

Pobla is here to stay

While Malate was once deemed as the center of nightlife in the country, where raving legends were made and legacies forged as a once-hailed golden age; and while Cubao is hailed as the nexus where all roads eventually lead to, Pobla is no slouch in paving its own name for the future. Take it from those who have been shaped by it.

“Poblacion isn’t just a branch to us—it’s a home, a community, and a reminder of how far Onlypans has come. Sure, the journey hasn’t been easy, but the love we’ve received here makes every challenge worth it,” Cruz said.

Del Gallego noted how Poblacion has been the birthplace of many unique concepts and home to exciting people. “This is why Filling Station thrived in it. It fit the personality of Poblacion and it eventually attracted others to the environment it has created. Filling Station could be successful if it was placed somewhere else, but not for exactly the same reason,” he explained.

“Poblacion is in our DNA, and we see Almacen as part of its story for the long haul,” Nuñez shared. “Pobla has grown, evolved, and welcomed so many amazing concepts, but what keeps us grounded is our connection to the people who walk through our doors.”

As the sun shines over Pobla, the memories made in the district remain engraved in the minds of a generation.