Must-Visit Halloween Hotspots in Poblacion
This Halloween, Poblacion transforms into the metro’s most stylish haunt. Discover the bars and destinations that truly deserve a spot on your fright night itinerary.
Words Gerie Marie Consolacion
Photo courtesy of Z Hostel, Kondwi, Salty Coconut, Bombvinos Bodega, Hello MNL, The Bolthole, and Transit 5915
October 28, 2025
Is your costume ready?
Spooky season is officially upon us, and once again, all roads and rideshares lead to Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila’s legendary nightlife hub—for its annual Halloween takeover.
What used to be just another night out has now become a full-blown tradition among Filipino Gen Zs and millennials: dress up, show up, and bar hop your way through a night of music, magic, and mayhem.
Here, the trick-or-treat takes a new form. Instead of doorbells and candy, partygoers are welcomed by neon signs, costume parades, themed cocktails, and DJ sets that go well past midnight.
Some come dressed as fairies and Stranger Things characters, others in gothic gowns, Disney-inspired looks, or horror classics—but everyone, it seems, understands the assignment: dress up or risk standing out for all the wrong reasons.
Poblacion’s Halloween weekend only comes once a year, and the community takes it seriously. If you're planning to join the celebration, here’s your guide to the most anticipated Halloween parties in Poblacion this 2025.
Z Hostel’s Shadow Realm
At this point, Z Hostel is practically synonymous with Halloween in Poblacion. Since 2017, its annual celebration has grown into one of the biggest street parties in the metro, drawing crowds in the tens of thousands.
This year, Shadow Realm calls on all gamers, cosplayers, and character lovers with a theme inspired by video game avatars and skins.
The party spills out of Z Hostel and into neighboring venues including Kampai, Alamat, Japonesa, Ebi 10, Green Door, Buccaneers, Only Pans, and Mahalo, taking over parts of Don Pedro and Alfonso Streets.
Guests can expect DJs, live music, food stalls, and the ever-popular Parade of Costumes—one of the biggest visual spectacles of the night. Whether you're dressing as your favorite Final Fantasy heroine or your go-to Street Fighter, this is the moment to go all out.
Kondwi’s HalloQueen
If you're looking for a Halloween party with a heart, community, and a sapphic twist, HalloQueen at Kondwi is your safe (and stylish) space. Hosted by viral TikTok couple Caz and Pepper, this all-sapphic celebration invites women and the queer community to take up space and dance the night away.
Kicking off at 9:30 PM, the event features DJs Ach i and Lia spinning throughout the night. Held in Kondwi's artful space, this party blends culture, music, and visibility, making it one of the most meaningful and magnetic gatherings this spooky season.
Salty Coconut’s Boneless: Swamp Fever
Salty Coconut is known for doing things a little differently—and their Halloween party, Swamp Fever, is no exception. Happening on Friday, October 25, this fever-dream of a party promises deep beats, dazzling drag, and a gritty, glittery atmosphere you won’t want to miss.
More than just a DJ set, Boneless: Swamp Fever features drag performances from queens Aurora Boulevard, Uxhaina, Sela, Saphfire, and Luna Eclipse delivering a high-energy, high-fashion spectacle that captures the spirit of underground Poblacion.
Bombvinos Bodega’s All Our Friends
Not every Halloween celebration needs strobe lights and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. For a more intimate gathering, head to Bombvinos Bodega for All Our Friends, their signature Halloween night filled with wine, music, and 2010s nostalgia.
Known for its cozy vibe and well-curated selection of natural wines, Bombvinos is the perfect place to unwind in costume and reconnect with friends.
The theme this year invites guests to dress “super sleazy,” a cheeky homage to the messy, memorable nights of the early 2010s. If you’re looking to escape the noise while still enjoying the spirit, this is your haunt.
Bolthole’s Halloween Trilogy
Why party for just one night when you can have three? Bolthole is stretching the celebration into a full trilogy of events that reflect its status as one of Poblacion’s most beloved Gen Z hangouts.
Things kick off on October 30 with The Night Before, a laid-back pre-Halloween warm-up. On the 31st, Halloween Hangout takes center stage as the main event where you should expect packed floors, costume revelry, and Bolthole’s signature mix of ‘80s, ‘90s, and Y2K hits.
Rounding out the series is After Dark on November 1, a post-Halloween bash for those who want to squeeze every last drop out of the spooky season.
As always, the vibe is chaotic but way too good—multiple levels, affordable drinks, nachos and sisig, and a reminder to wear something sexy and scary. Because according to Bolthole: scary is the new sexy.
Transit 5915’s Carnival Row: Dark Fantasy
If your Halloween fantasies lean more toward the surreal and mythical, Carnival Row: Dark Fantasy at Transit 5915 might be your dream come true. Running for three nights, from October 30 to November 1, the event immerses guests in a world of dark fantasy like enchanted forests, sinister creatures, and whimsical cocktails.
Themed drinks, haunting visuals, and mysterious surprises await those brave enough to enter. With prizes and performances promised, Carnival Row is perfect for partygoers who want their Halloween with a touch of theater and otherworldly flair.
Ready to go?
Halloween in Poblacion is no longer just an event, it’s a ritual. One weekend a year, this buzzing corner of Makati transforms into a canvas for self-expression, performance, and community. From all-out street parties to inclusive queer spaces and intimate bodega gatherings, there’s something for every kind of partygoer.
So whether you’re going all-in with your costume or just here to people-watch and sip cocktails, one thing’s for sure: Poblacion is where the spirit of Halloween—wild, weird, and wonderfully alive truly comes out to play.
