Red Kimono
Red Kimono is a Japanese-influenced KTV lounge on M.H. Del Pilar Street in Malate, catering primarily to Japanese and Korean visitors. The venue has a ground-floor reception with a small sushi bar, and private KTV rooms on the upper floor. The rooms are decorated in a Japanese style with tatami-like mats, low tables, and shoji screen dividers. Six rooms range from small two-person booths to a large room for 10. The karaoke systems are Japanese-made and carry an extensive library of J-pop, K-pop, English, and Tagalog songs. Sake is available alongside standard Filipino drinks, which is unusual for Malate. Room rates run 800 to 1,800 PHP per hour. Hostess services cost 800 to 1,200 PHP per hostess. Beer is 100 PHP, sake servings start at 200 PHP, and cocktails cost 180 to 250 PHP. The venue maintains a quieter, more refined atmosphere than the standard Ermita and Malate KTV bars, reflecting its Japanese clientele's preferences.
Where to stay near Red Kimono
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A Japanese-themed KTV with tatami-style rooms, sake on the menu, and a quieter atmosphere than the standard Malate KTV lounge. The decor and drink menu cater to Japanese and Korean visitors.
Quiet, refined, and Japanese-influenced, with a more polished feel than surrounding Malate KTV venues.
Karaoke with a strong J-pop and K-pop library alongside English and Tagalog tracks
Smart casual. The Japanese-influenced atmosphere tends toward a more put-together crowd.
Japanese and Korean visitors looking for familiar KTV culture, visitors wanting a more refined KTV experience in Malate
Cash or credit card. Japanese yen accepted at an exchange rate.
Price Range
Room rate 800-1,800 PHP/hour, beer 100 PHP, sake from 200 PHP, hostess 800-1,200 PHP
Room ~$14.50-33/~13-30 EUR per hour, beer ~$1.80/~1.65 EUR, sake from ~$3.60/~3.30 EUR
Hours
19:00-03:00 daily
Insider Tip
Try the sake if you are tired of San Miguel. The sushi at the ground-floor bar is basic but edible. The smaller rooms are cozy and suitable for a quieter evening. Japanese visitors will find staff who speak basic Japanese.
Full Review
Red Kimono stands out in Malate because it genuinely commits to its Japanese aesthetic rather than just hanging a few lanterns and calling it themed. The rooms use tatami-style flooring, the tables are low, and the dividers between seating areas use shoji screen designs. The effect is calming, particularly in contrast to the chaotic M.H. Del Pilar strip outside.
The karaoke system in my room was a Japanese-made unit with excellent sound quality and a responsive touchscreen interface. The J-pop and K-pop library was extensive, with current releases alongside classics. English and Tagalog selections were also well-stocked.
I tried the sake, which is unusual for a Malate KTV. The selection was limited to three varieties, but the house sake at 200 PHP was smooth and properly served. The sushi bar on the ground floor offered basic rolls that were acceptable if not impressive.
A hostess was offered at 800 PHP for the session. The woman who joined spoke basic Japanese and was familiar with the J-pop catalog, which suggested this was genuinely a venue that catered to Japanese visitors rather than one that had adopted the theme superficially.
Red Kimono's room rates of 800 to 1,800 PHP per hour are at the higher end for Malate, but the ambiance and equipment justify the premium. For Japanese or Korean visitors missing the KTV culture of home, or for anyone who wants a more refined karaoke experience than the norm in this area, Red Kimono delivers.
The Neighborhood
Red Kimono is on M.H. Del Pilar Street in Malate, within the entertainment district. Japanese and Korean restaurants are nearby. Remedios Circle is a short walk south.
Getting There
Take a Grab to M.H. Del Pilar Street in Malate. Red Kimono has Japanese-style signage visible from the street. The nearest LRT station is Vito Cruz.
Address
M.H. Del Pilar Street, Malate
Other Venues in Malate
Oarhouse Pub
Expat-friendly pub on Nakpil Street with cheap beer and a pool table. Unpretentious spot that fills up on Friday and Saturday nights.
Fred's Revolución
Mexican-themed bar near Remedios Circle serving margaritas and beer. Sidewalk seating and a casual atmosphere draw a younger local crowd.
Che'lu Bar
Small neighborhood bar popular with students and young professionals from nearby universities. Affordable drinks and occasional acoustic live music nights.
H&J Bar
Late-night bar in the Remedios Circle area. Simple drinks menu, plastic chairs, and a crowd that arrives after midnight from other venues nearby.
Handlebar
Rock-oriented bar hosting local bands most weekends. Known for supporting the Manila indie music scene with affordable cover charges.
Hobbit House
Legendary expat bar at 1212 M.H. Del Pilar Street that has been open for decades. Over a hundred beer options, live music most nights, and a dark pub atmosphere.