During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Malate, at least for me, was still abuzz with nightlife. I remember I would visit my friends at UP Manila, then still in their residency at Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and I, then working for my father’s petroleum company with an office in Makati, would wait for them to finish their rounds at PGH in Café Adriatico, that iconic restaurant in Remedios Circle. I would have my Tsokolate Eh!, a thick and rich chocolate drink, still a favorite even now, while watching people come and go as the night matured. Government people, young office workers, families, and later, when it got really dark, a tarot card reader would set up shop in a warmly lit corner of Café Adriatico and offer readings, glimpses into one’s soul and future.

My doctor friends would then pick me up at Café Adriatico, and we would drink the night away. To noisy clubs then strewn along Malate, to Bed nightclub, now gone, and then over to nearby O-Bar. That Malate iteration was cramped and small. Despite having two floors, you would be forced to dance with whoever was near you. We would party until dawn broke, then proceed to a nearby tapsilugan for a good, greasy breakfast. Mind you, my doctor friends would then return to PGH. “Sige, may assist pa ako na surgery. Ingat!” (Alright, I still have a surgery to assist in. Take care!) one of my doctor friends, now a most excellent general surgeon, would say. Doctors, it seems, have livers of steel.

Those bygone days stay with me. Sadly, I am no longer abreast with the Malate scene. Makati and BGC became my haunts, until now. Thankfully, a recent pre-Holy Week visit to that original stomping ground of Manila partygoers sparked a burst of nostalgia and updated me on the still-promising nightlife of Malate.

This time, the night brought me to Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery along Roxas Boulevard, my first visit to the property. The hotel’s interiors draw from Filipino-Spanish and Art Deco influences, with a lobby marked by a most fantastically detailed ceiling installation and layered design elements. Above the lobby, a striking ceiling installation titled “Las Paginas de la Historia” draws the eye upward, with paper-like forms suspended in motion, as if caught mid-flight. The piece reflects Filipino narratives, with visual elements that nod to traditions such as bayanihan, adding another layer to the hotel interiors. It sets the tone before the night even begins.

Hidden within is Ruby Wong’s Godown, accessed through a discreet door from the lobby. You go down a flight of stairs, and inside, the space is dimly lit, with a speakeasy-style setup that leans into a darker, more relaxed atmosphere. It feels removed from the street, contained, almost self-contained, in a way that suits Malate.

I arrived on the evening of its Burlesque Night, mounted with Burlesque PH, widely regarded as the country’s leading burlesque collective. The show follows the tradition of burlesque, an art form rooted in 19th-century variety theater, where performance is built on tease, character, and timing rather than overt display.

Three performers took the stage over the course of the night, each presenting a distinct act. Some leaned into classic cabaret, with deliberate pacing and costume reveals, while others took a more modern approach. Feathers, gloves, and corsets were part of the visual language, but what carried the performances was presence, the ability to hold a room, to control when to reveal and when to hold back.

Between sets, the energy did not drop. Short interactive segments kept the audience engaged, making the evening feel less like a staged show and more like a shared experience. It moves between performance and party without fully settling into either, which works in its favor.

The setting supports it. The bar’s low lighting and enclosed layout allow the performances to take focus, while guests move between watching, drinking, and conversation. Cocktails such as Ruby’s Rehab, a bold, refreshing mix, and Green with Envy, lighter and more playful, were served through the night, matching the tone of the performances.

At one corner, a tattoo station had been set up, offering guests the option of marking the night in a more permanent way. It is a small detail, but one that fits the overall tone, playful, slightly indulgent, and aware of itself.

Ruby Wong’s Godown positions Burlesque Night as a recurring event, with each run featuring a different set of performers and variations in the program. It adds a performance layer to Malate’s nightlife.

This recent revisit to Malate, fueled by Admiral Hotel’s Ruby Wong, fills me with hope that a resurrection of sorts would happen in the area. It’s high time.

A second run of Burlesque Night is scheduled on April 17, from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., again in collaboration with Burlesque PH. For updates and reservations, guests may follow Ruby Wong’s Godown on Facebook and Instagram or inquire through Admiral Hotel Manila.

I’ll see you all there.