I have always been proud of being a Dabawenyo. Thinking about it, I can never imagine myself leaving this heartwarming city that I have loved since birth. I have been in some major cities in the Philippines but nothing compares to the city where taxi drivers’ give exact change, streets are free of garbage, and exotic beaches are just few minutes away. Davao City is a haven for tourist and a perfect place for people to retire. While these sounds like a perfect place for people who want a peaceful and stress free life in the urban, what about for people who wants to go out and party at night? Davao City is known for its anti smoking law and the urban is really strict on implementing the 2AM liquor ban. Sounds like a hell place for smokers and for a night person? Not really. How to have a night life in a city like this? You’ll be surprised.

Let’s start with MTS also known as Matina Town Square. The place is perfect if you don’t want to roam around the city for bars because MTS almost has everything. My personal favorite is Taboan. It is located in the heart of the square and is surrounded by bars and barbecue houses that offer the best chilled beers in the city. Owned by the Ayala’s, MTS promotes independent music as well as local talents and they perform on the Taboan stage. Rumors have it that only the best are allowed to perform in that stage. Having seen all the talents that performed there, I believe that this is not only a rumor. Tables and chairs are located in the center of the small gymnasium like place, meant for people who want to watch and listen to the performing band while eating the affordable pica-picas and drinking the ice cold beer (literally) starting at Php 180 per bucket. The beers are so cold that when you tap the bottle with a spoon, you’ll see the ice floats inside the bottle of beer! (I find it real cool that I always do that whenever I visit the place). The bars have the outer side too where smokers are allowed to smoke and enjoy listening to the cool music Taboan has to offer.

If you want to laugh the night out, Studio Onnie is the right place for you, located in the other side of the square where parking lot is an easy access. They have the best stand up comedians in the city. For only Php 150/head, consumable that is, you can sing along with the comedians and laugh until you drop.

In the corner of the square located the Kanto Bar meant for people who loves jazz and bossa nova music. They have the best bands in Davao too. This is a classy bar which surprisingly offers a fair price for its drinks and foods and a really good music at that.

If you are sporty and still have the energy for the night, you can play billiards at Whistle Top while enjoying a beer and taunting a friend about his billiard moves. This bar is perfect for a boy’s night out. They offer American foods and play good Rnb music on their nice speakers.  After delighting yourself with all the good stuff the place has to offer and find yourself hungry, you can have pizza at Calda Pizza. They have the biggest pizza in the city and the place is cozy. Perfect setting if you just want to just chat with your friends or with a special someone.   MTS is a place to chill, hang out and get drunk but if you want to party and dance your night out HYBRID BAR is the best for you. Located in Wheel’s n More compound, the bar opens at 9pm. Real party starts at 12am where house DJ’s play the current hits. You get to dance with the crazy crowd and meet new cool friends. Entrance fee is just Php 100 with one free drink, drinks starts at Php 40 plus good house and rnb dance music, hip and friendly DJ’s. Not bad at all!

Not that I am bragging but there are still so much that I can talk about the night life here in Davao. The ones that I’ve mentioned have given me the best memories and the best nights in my entire life and I want to share it with everyone. You might have plans to visit the city; you’ll know where to go. In spite of the liquor ban and the anti smoking law, Davao gives entertainment and fun that will surely be a night to remember by anyone be it with a local or a tourist.