Hangar 18
Hangar 18 opened in 2025 in the historic Casa Tesoro Building on Mabini Street in Ermita, representing a newer wave of venues in the district that cater to music fans rather than the traditional entertainment scene. The bar occupies a ground-floor space with exposed brick walls, industrial-style lighting, and a small stage at one end. Capacity is about 50 people. Live bands perform most nights, covering genres from classic rock and blues to OPM (Original Pilipino Music). The musicians are talented, drawn from Manila's deep pool of session players and cover band veterans. The crowd is mixed: expats who live in the area, young Filipino professionals, and tourists who stumble in from the surrounding entertainment district. Beer costs 80 PHP for San Miguel and 150 PHP for imports. There is no cover charge on weeknights, while weekends charge 150 to 200 PHP, which includes one drink. There is no GRO system and no bar fines. Hangar 18 is a straightforward music bar that happens to be located in an entertainment district.
Where to stay near Hangar 18
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A live music bar in a historic building with exposed brick walls and an industrial aesthetic. Bands perform nightly, and the crowd comes for the music. No entertainment industry connection.
Live music venue with an industrial-chic vibe, completely separate from the surrounding entertainment district.
Live bands playing classic rock, blues, OPM, and occasional jazz
Casual. Most people wear jeans and t-shirts.
Music lovers looking for live bands in Ermita, visitors wanting a break from the entertainment scene
Cash preferred. GCash mobile payment also accepted.
Price Range
Beer 80 PHP, import beer 150 PHP, cocktail 180 PHP, weekend cover 150-200 PHP (includes one drink)
Beer ~$1.45/~1.30 EUR, import beer ~$2.70/~2.50 EUR, cocktail ~$3.30/~3 EUR
Hours
19:00-02:00 Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday
Insider Tip
The weekend cover charge includes a drink, so the entrance is effectively free. Arrive before 9 PM on weekends to get a seat near the stage. The Casa Tesoro Building has historical significance, and the exposed brick interior is worth appreciating.
Full Review
Hangar 18 is the kind of place Ermita needs more of. The bar occupies a beautifully restored space in the Casa Tesoro Building, one of the older structures on Mabini Street. Exposed brick, pendant lights, and a concrete floor create an atmosphere that would not be out of place in Brooklyn or Shoreditch.
The stage is small but functional, with a proper PA system and stage lighting. On the night I visited, a four-piece band was playing a mix of Dire Straits, Eagles, and Ely Buendia covers. The guitarist was genuinely skilled, and the vocalist had the raspy warmth that this kind of music demands. Filipino musicians are among the most talented cover artists in Asia, and this band proved the point.
The crowd was an interesting mix. A table of expats who clearly lived nearby were on first-name terms with the bartender. A group of Filipino young professionals occupied the best seats near the stage, singing along to every OPM track. Two tourists who seemed to have wandered in from the entertainment district looked pleasantly surprised by what they had found.
Beer at 80 PHP is standard for the area. The weekend cover of 150 to 200 PHP includes a drink, making it essentially free. There is no entertainment industry component here, no GROs, no bar fines, just music and beer in a well-designed space. Hangar 18 is a reminder that Ermita has more to offer than its reputation suggests.
The Neighborhood
Hangar 18 is on Mabini Street in Ermita, surrounded by the district's entertainment venues, restaurants, and shops. Robinson's Place Manila is a short walk away.
Getting There
Take a Grab to Mabini Street, Ermita. The Casa Tesoro Building is on the main road. Look for the Hangar 18 sign at street level. The nearest LRT station is Pedro Gil.
Address
Mabini Street, Ermita
Other Venues in Ermita
LA Café
Long-running bar on Mabini Street that's been a fixture of Ermita nightlife for decades. Draws a mixed crowd of tourists and locals, open late.
Amazonia
Multi-room KTV venue with private rooms and a main bar area. One of the larger entertainment complexes still operating in the Ermita area.
Cowboy Grill
Filipino live band bar chain with a location in Ermita. Cover bands play OPM and Western rock to a predominantly local crowd. Affordable beer and cocktails.
Ringside Bar
No-frills drinking spot that's been part of the Ermita scene for years. Simple setup with cold beer and a jukebox, open until the early hours.
Memories Bar
Late-night bar near Robinson's Place with karaoke and cheap beer buckets. A mix of Filipino regulars and expats keep it going until the early morning hours.
XO KTV
Mid-range KTV lounge with private rooms and hostess services. Cleaner and better maintained than many Ermita competitors, with transparent pricing posted at the entrance.