Memories Bar
Memories Bar is a late-night drinking spot on M. Adriatico Street in Ermita, near Robinson's Place Manila. The bar has been open for over a decade and functions as one of the area's reliable after-hours options. The interior is simple: a long bar counter, booth seating along the walls, a karaoke machine in the corner, and dim lighting that gets dimmer as the night goes on. Capacity is about 30 people. The karaoke machine sees heavy use, particularly after midnight when the crowd loosens up. Beer bucket specials are the main draw: five San Miguel bottles for 300 PHP. Individual beers cost 70 PHP, and cocktails run 120 to 180 PHP. A small number of GROs work the bar, offering company for the price of a lady drink at 200 PHP. There is no formal bar fine system; arrangements are made directly. The crowd is a mix of Filipino regulars, expats from nearby residences, and tourists taking a break from the KTV scene. Memories Bar is where you end up when everything else has closed and you are not ready to go home.
Where to stay near Memories Bar
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A simple late-night bar with karaoke, cheap beer, and a relaxed after-hours atmosphere. The crowd arrives late and stays until the bar closes around 4 AM.
Dim, relaxed, and late-night casual. The karaoke adds energy as the evening progresses.
Karaoke-driven, with a mix of OPM, Western pop, and Korean ballads
No requirements. Late-night casual.
Night owls looking for a cheap late-night bar in Ermita after other venues close
Cash only (Philippine pesos)
Price Range
Beer 70 PHP (bucket of 5 for 300 PHP), cocktail 120-180 PHP, lady drink 200 PHP
Beer ~$1.30/~1.15 EUR (bucket ~$5.50/~5 EUR), cocktail ~$2.20-3.30/~2-3 EUR
Hours
18:00-04:00 daily
Insider Tip
The beer bucket deal is the best value here. The karaoke machine accepts song requests in English, Tagalog, and Korean. The bar stays open later than most Ermita venues, making it a good last-stop option.
Full Review
Memories Bar is the kind of place that only makes sense at 1 AM. Walk in during the early evening and it looks like any other dimly lit bar with cheap furniture. But after midnight, when the KTV lounges have closed and the street outside has quieted down, Memories fills a specific need.
The karaoke machine is the social engine. On the night I visited, a Filipino regular was performing "My Way" with impressive commitment. An Australian expat followed with a surprisingly good rendition of "Wonderwall." The small crowd cheered both equally. The karaoke brings people together in a way that the formal entertainment venues cannot match.
The beer bucket at 300 PHP for five San Miguel bottles is the deal to know about. That works out to 60 PHP per beer, which is cheaper than any bar on Mabini Street. Individual bottles at 70 PHP are still reasonable. The cocktails are basic but serve their purpose.
A few GROs were present, sitting with customers and chatting. The interactions were casual, closer to the Perimeter Road dynamic in Angeles City than the more structured KTV hostess system in Ermita. Lady drinks at 200 PHP are fair.
Memories Bar does not aspire to anything beyond what it is: a cheap, late-night bar with a karaoke machine and cold beer. For that specific purpose, it works well.
The Neighborhood
Memories Bar is on M. Adriatico Street near Robinson's Place Manila. The surrounding area has restaurants, convenience stores, and other Ermita entertainment venues.
Getting There
Take a Grab to M. Adriatico Street, Ermita. The bar is near Robinson's Place. The nearest LRT station is Pedro Gil, about a 5-minute walk.
Address
M. Adriatico 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.
Hangar 18
Music bar in the historic Casa Tesoro Building on Mabini Street. Hosts live bands covering rock and OPM, drawing a crowd that comes for the music rather than the traditional entertainment scene.
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.