A guide to 24 hours in Uptown Bonifacio

MANILA, Philippines – If we challenge you to spend an entire weekend in one spot, where would you go?

Uptown Bonifacio at the Fort redefines the concept of staying in for the weekend.

With a 24-hour cinema, restaurants open until 3:00 am, and various night spots and specialty shops for those looking for retail therapy, Uptown is perfect for urbanites who want to do something exciting any time of the day.

Ready to check it out? Here’s our list of recommended spots and activities.

07:00 am – Jumpstart your day with some exercise

Exercising in the morning can give you the energy boost you need to power through your day. You don’t need to be stuck working out inside the gym – Fort Bonifacio has no shortage of wide pavements and pocket gardens where you can enjoy an early morning bike run or jog.

09:00 am – Have a hearty breakfast at Denny’s

If you love your pancakes, milkshakes, or meaty breakfasts, Denny’s is the place to go. Known in the US for their hefty servings of breakfast favorites that range from sweet to savory, Uptown Mall’s Denny’s branch is the first in Manila.

Some of their best sellers include Denny’s Grand Slamwich (P395), Choco Overload Peanut Butter Pancake Plate (P395) and Sausage and Pepper Skillet (P395).

10:00 am – Visit the St. Gabriel The Archangel Chapel

Before you start your day, set aside some time for prayer and contemplation. The St. Gabriel the Archangel Chapel is located conveniently at the top floor of Uptown Mall. It features a high ceiling and glass walls that make it a perfect sanctuary to collect your thoughts.

12:00 pm – Have lunch at Uptown Mall’s Food Hall

Besides the wide range of restaurants located in the area, what makes Uptown Mall’s Food Hall stand out from other food courts is its cozy ambiance and well-designed interiors. Featuring a high ceiling, creative posters and artwork hanging from its walls, and a mix of rustic and industrial furniture, dining here will provide a lunch experience that you would definitely keep coming back to.

Don’t know what to eat in Uptown Mall’s Food Hall? If you love fried chicken, you must taste Birdhouse’s Salted Egg Lava Chicken Sandwich (P290) and Birdhouse Chicken Tenders (P165).

You can also try these other restaurants located in Uptown Mall’s Food Hall: 

• Binondo Wok (1^st in Manila/ Homegrown Concept)
• Pepper Lunch
• Sbarro
• Steak Station
• Yumi
• Craft Salad
• BKK Express (1^st in Manila/ Homegrown Concept)
• Habitual Coffee

02:00 pm – Paul Bassett coffee and dessert at Salvatore Cuomo & Bar

After having a flavorful lunch, have your espresso fix with a delectable dessert. Head over to Salvatore Cuomo & Bar for award-winning Paul Bassett coffee and classy interiors perfect for having deep conversations, meetings, or simply having some alone time.

For your after lunch treat, pair the Tiramisu served with Pistachio Gelato (P400) with their Caffe Latte (P180). 

03:00 pm – Go shopping at retail powerhouses like H&M 

After lunch and coffee, walk off those calories and indulge in retail therapy. Popular and niche brands are housed conveniently under one roof at Uptown Mall. Our top pick is Fort’s 1^st H&M branch in the area. 

Other retail shops worth visiting at Uptown Mall are:

• Popcorn General Store (1^st in the Philippines)
• Vero Moda, The Nines (1^st in Manila)
• Adidas Originals (1^st store in the Philippines)
• Vionic (1^st in Southeast Asia)
• Complex Lifestyle Store 

05:00 pm – Find inspiration in specialty stores like Design Story 

Design Story in Uptown Mall combines two design aesthetics in one space. It is composed of HAY, a Danish design store, and Stellar Works, a contemporary design brand which combines both Eastern and Western techniques. Shop here for exquisite items to dress up your home, from your living room to your kitchen.

Other specialty stores at Uptown Mall are:

• Own Days
• Limited (1^st in Manila)
• Capital
• Toys R Us
• Typo
• All About Baking
• Curators
• Herschel 

06:00 pm – Ride your bike, or walk your pet 

You don’t need to spend the whole day indoors. Head out, take a stroll, or ride your bike around the vicinity of Uptown Mall. Got pets? They can get a bit of exercise around the area’s landscaped pocket parks, too.

07:00 pm – Witness a Las Vegas-style Fire and Water Show

For a bit of pre-dinner breather, enjoy Uptown Mall’s water feature every night from 6:00 pm onwards. Strategically placed at the mall’s perimeter front, enjoy the show’s vibrant colors, upbeat sounds, and fire elements. 

08:30 pm – Dinner and pre-game at Gorda

The family-owned Gorda restaurant serves Fil-Mex urban cuisine. Since it opened its first branch in the Philippines at Uptown Parade last December 5, this up and coming restaurant has already gained popularity due to its eye-catching interiors, food inspired by their mother’s special recipes, and its refreshing drinks.

This spot is perfect for casual pre-game or dinner. Try their Equatorial Margarita served in a watermelon keg (P900), Mama’s Nachos (half serving for P400 and full serving for P600), Trio Fajitas (P800) and Breakfast Taquito Sampler (P320).

Other restaurants in Uptown Parade you can try:

• Livestock
• Naxional
• Ooma
• Namoo
• Pampas
• Palate
• Sweet Ecstacy
• Char
• Uma Uma

11:00 pm – Party the night away in nightspots like Revel

After dinner, dance the night away through the bars and clubs located conveniently at The Palace. A top pick would be Revel at The Palace, a luxury club with an ambiance that spells out class and sophistication. Show up in a glamorous outfit and enjoy a night of dancing, drinking, and socializing!

Other night spots you can try would be the Palace Pool Club and Valkyrie.

01:30 am – Grab some grub at Tim Ho Wan

Tired from all that dancing and drinking? Satiate your after-party appetite with Tim Ho Wan’s famous pork buns. What’s special about Tim Ho Wan’s branch in Uptown Mall is that it’s open until 3:00 am, making it a prime spot to cure hangovers or have conversations with your peers while munching on the Michellin-starred restaurant’s bestsellers.

02:00 AM – Catch a movie in Uptown Mall’s 24-hour cinema

Yes, there’s a 24-hour cinema in Uptown Mall that provides you your own butler and serves you unlimited popcorn, soda, and water. With comfortable reclining seats, the cinema provides a movie watching experience unlike any other with its round-the-clock screenings every Fridays and Saturdays. Bring your date or spend some quality time with your gang.

05:00 AM – Hit the sack and schedule a spa appointment

By this point, you’re probably craving the comfort of your bed. At the end of this very long day, wouldn’t it be nice to just walk up to your very own unit, instead of having to look for your car and driving across the city just to go home and rest? Megaworld’s upcoming developments, namely Uptown Ritz and Uptown Parksuites, could be your peg for your next dream residence right inside the Fort.

Speed up your recovery the day after by getting a home-service massage or hitting the spa. Then get ready to do it all again next week!

In a busy, traffic-clogged city like Manila, convenience has become a luxury. If you choose the privilege to live near work, places to hang out in, and opportunities to relax 24/7 – then wouldn’t the investment be worth it? – Rappler.com