Nightlife in Cebu begins to rock after 8 pm. If you fancy some go-go dance places (a.k.a. bikini bars…), there are some scattered in Cebu City and Mactan. The seedier ones are mainly concentrated in Mango Avenue (now General Maxilom) in Cebu City with establishments like Viking and Pappillon. There is also Jaguar KTV, a go-go dance place located in a plush theater not too far from General Maxilom.

On Mactan Island, there is a similar establishment to the above genre called Mermaids, which has recently been redeveloped. Mermaids now includes pool tables and a modern look. Now, whilst we are certain you will find no mermaids inside this bar, we have heard that Friday and Saturday nights feature a live “Shower Show” at midnight. Not for everyone!

Cebu Clubs and DJs

For clubs where locals hang out, try PUMP and Julianas. The later is located in Mango Square. Both these places play decent music and cater for the younger crowd.

If you prefer more up-market establishments to hear DJs, head to the Crossroads complex in Banilad Road. Crossroads houses small intimate clubs such as Vudu (downstairs house and techno music, upstairs hip hop til you drop!!!) and Cafe Teatro which also has a DJ on some nights playing faves from the 70s, 80s, and some Latin beats.

Further down the (Banilad) road you will find Formo at Banilad Town Center (BTC). Formo, after dinner, transforms into a cool club with a DJ who plays mainly house and some lighter techno music. Live music is available on certain nights and the odd famous (or semi-famous) DJ plays there. Formo has a great indoor-outdoor location so it is perfect to enjoy those balmy Cebu nights. Formo is a fun place to hang out and dance, and it also has excellent food.

Cebu Discos and KTV

NASA in Mandaue City and Sunflower in Cebu City are large disco-clubs with big booming sound systems and lots of colored lights. The latter attracts its fair share of Korean tourists, whose presence also ushered the growth of KTV (karaoke TV) places. Two of the larger and more upscale KTV parlors are located in Mactan: the White Castle on Airport Road and another in the Waterfront Airport Hotel.

Jazz in the City

If you prefer a more sophisticated ambiance with world-class music to match, look no further than Jazz n Blues. This slick restaurant-bar, which could double as a Blue Note anywhere in the world, usually has two bands performing. Jazz n Blues doesn’t close until the last customer leaves. Despite the name, you will find Jazz, a tiny sample of Blues, and a lot of easy-listening music.