Hobbit House
Hobbit House at 1212 M.H. Del Pilar Street has been an institution in Manila's Malate district since it opened in 1973. The bar was founded by Jim Turner, a former Peace Corps volunteer, and initially employed workers of short stature, a concept that earned it both fame and controversy over the decades. The current incarnation is more of a standard pub, though its history is embedded in every inch of the dark, cluttered interior. The space is spread across a ground floor and a mezzanine, with seating for about 80 people. Over a hundred beer options line the shelves behind the bar, including local craft brews and imports from across Asia. Live music plays most nights, with cover bands and acoustic acts performing on a small stage. The food menu is basic but functional. There is no entertainment industry component: no GROs, no bar fines, no hostesses. Hobbit House is a genuine pub that happens to sit in an entertainment district. Beer costs 80 to 200 PHP depending on the brand, and cocktails run 150 to 250 PHP.
Where to stay near Hobbit House
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A historic pub with a dark, cluttered interior, an extensive beer selection, and live music most nights. The atmosphere is genuine pub culture, completely separate from the Malate entertainment scene.
Dark, historic, and genuinely pub-like, with decades of character embedded in the walls.
Live cover bands and acoustic acts playing rock, blues, and OPM
Casual. Pub attire.
Beer enthusiasts and visitors looking for a genuine pub experience in the Malate area
Cash or credit card.
Price Range
Beer 80-200 PHP, cocktail 150-250 PHP, food 150-300 PHP
Beer ~$1.45-3.60/~1.30-3.30 EUR, cocktail ~$2.70-4.50/~2.50-4.15 EUR
Hours
17:00-02:00 Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday
Insider Tip
Ask the bartender for recommendations from the extensive beer list. The mezzanine level offers a quieter seating option when the stage area is full. Try to catch the live music, which usually starts around 9 PM.
Full Review
Hobbit House is a Manila institution for good reason. Walking through the door is like stepping into a pub that has accumulated half a century of stories, memorabilia, and beer stains. The walls are covered with photos, newspaper clippings, and assorted decorations that span decades of Manila social history.
The beer selection is the real draw. Over a hundred options range from standard San Miguel to imported craft brews that you will not find at any other bar in the neighborhood. The bartender I spoke with was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, recommending a local pale ale from a Laguna microbrewery that turned out to be excellent.
Live music started at 9 PM. A three-piece cover band played a mix of classic rock and OPM, transitioning from Led Zeppelin to Eraserheads without missing a beat. The sound quality was decent for the room size, and the mezzanine level offered a slightly quieter vantage point for those who prefer to listen rather than absorb the bass.
The crowd was mixed: expats, tourists, Filipino professionals, and a few people who looked like they had been drinking here since the 1990s. There were no GROs, no entertainment industry dynamics, just people enjoying beer and music. In a neighborhood dominated by KTV bars and massage parlors, Hobbit House stands apart.
At 80 PHP for a basic beer and up to 200 PHP for specialty imports, the pricing spans a range. Food is basic bar fare at 150 to 300 PHP. Hobbit House is the best starting point in Malate for visitors who want to get their bearings before exploring the rest of the district.
The Neighborhood
Hobbit House is at 1212 M.H. Del Pilar Street in Malate, surrounded by the entertainment district's bars, KTV lounges, and restaurants. Remedios Circle is a short walk south.
Getting There
Take a Grab to M.H. Del Pilar Street in Malate. Hobbit House is near Arquiza Street and has a sign visible from the main road. The nearest LRT station is Pedro Gil or Vito Cruz.
Address
1212 M.H. Del Pilar Street, Malate
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