by Zhaun Ortega
Partying in the same place with the same people can get boring. In fact, for a jaded partyphile, it may suck the life out of the whole party-experience. The one thing partyphiles hate is leading a routinary life. In fact, for some partyphiles, the whole purpose of partying is escaping your boring nine to five. However, when one finds that even the thing that used to serve as a safe haven for the bored man (the party scene) has gotten a bit predictable, he seeks change. This is exactly why most partyphiles move from one bar to another and always patronize the newer establishment. But trouble ensues when the actual changes in partylandia do not keep up with one’s lust for change; or at least the rate that these changes happen. So then, what is a partyphile to do? Go on a vacation to another city.
Going on a vacay for the sole purpose of partying is one of the most blissful things in life. Plus, with the cheap air fare that budget-airlines offer, more and more yuppie-partyphiles are joining the bandwagon of city-hopping (instead of bar-hopping). Obviously, this is always a great experience as new party places ensure new experiences and new friends. However, if you are on the receiving end of the vacay, meaning, you are the one who is tasked to tour non-Dabawenyo partyphiles around the city, you find yourself in quite a rut. Why? Because surprisingly, the Davao nightlife is not too familiar to the common Dabawenyo. The good news is, I know the city’s nightscape like the back of my hand. And here is one of my recommended night-time itineraries for the non-Dabawenyo partyphile.
Saturday
5:00 PM- Head on over to Ponciano Street ad look for Casa de Amigos. It is a few steps across PLDT. Casa de Amigos offers a Happy Hour promo from 5PM to 8PM for only Php 150. Choose from Manila Beer, Colt 45, Tanduay Ice, San Mig Light, and San Miguel Pale Pilsen, and drink all you can before the clock strikes eight. Plus, if you want some pulutan, their Chimichangas and Nachos are to-die-for.vv
Heads Up: For the tight-budgeted partyphile; side from the Php150 you pay to enjoy drink-all-you-can booze, they charge a ten percent service charge.
9:00 PM- Head on over to Legaspi Street and check out the Legaspi Suites. This is the ideal place for a large group of vacationers since the place is not as packed as most establishments are on a Saturday night. If you want to enjoy more local beer, order their bucket of 8 for only Php 240 at 147 Beer Avenue. However, if you want to enjoy something more exciting, order some imported beer. I suggest you try Desperados which go for Php295 or the good old Stella Artois worth Php 140. Also order some of their Hamonado for pulutan. It is super delish!
If you plan to expand your alcohol vocab, and are tired of beer (because you have just enjoyed drink-all-you-can beer from the previous stop) order some Lychee Margaritas at Kamagoo. A glass of their popular Lychee Margarita goes for 95 bucks, and a pitcher goes for 350. You may want to enjoy one pitcher per person though. Yes, it is THAT good. Kamagoo is in the same compound as 147 Beer Avenue, so if your travel-buddies don’t agree, you may always order from different stores.
Heads Up: The Legaspi Suites closes at midnight. So hurry the boozing up. Oh, and there is also a restaurant, a patisserie, and a coffee shop in the compound. Order whatever floats your boat.
12:00 AM- From Legaspi Suites, walk across the road ad head on over to Rizal Promenade, then pick a spot. I suggest you drop by 183. You would be glad to know that thy do not charge a door price and their beers are moderately priced at 50 bucks a pop. A lot of hardcore party-goers still frequent the area but expect a mix of younglings and ex-pats as well. Personally, I love their simple Vodka-Sprite. Give the DJ some beer and ask him to play your fave tracks.
2:00 AM- For a truly Dabawenyo experience head over to Bulca Chong. They have several braches in the city but the one nearest Rizal Promenade may be found along Ilustre Street. Ask around the area to get there. They serve the best hot soup to ward off the buzz you garnered from all your boozing. They sell Nilagang Kalabaw (Carabao. Not Beef) at 80 pesos per bowl. Pair it with a cup of steaming hot rice and some cola then sit back and wait ‘til that buzz has disappeared.
Heads Up: The place is anything but glamorous. It is frequented by tricycle drivers, students, professionals, and most everyone who wants to sip some hot soup at the end of an all-out booze fest. DO NOT expect posh interiors.
3:00 AM- Dabawenyos will insist that partying in the city ends at 2:00 AM, and that is true…except for some establishments. Ride a cab from Bulca Chong and head on over to Jade Resort in Matina Aplaya (near SM City Davao). They are open 24 hours and you can booze up while singing your heart out in their private videoke rooms or simply enjoy the sunrise by the sea. And yes, they serve alcohol past two; but don’t tell anyone you heard it from me. Ssshhh!
That concludes the Saturday itinerary for your guests’ Davao weekend. Catch the Sunday installment on my next article.
Catch Confessions of a Partyphile (the radio show) on 105.9 Mix FM every Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9. for comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile, log on to http://party.i.ph
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