Irony best describes the city of Makati. The greater outskirts are slums and derelict tenements, while the core is the financial center of the Philippines, a coat-and-tie district that includes some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, including the 60-storey PBCom Tower and the 47-storey G.T. International Tower.
Shopping and dining
The main thoroughfare, Ayala Avenue, is the “Wall Street” of the Philippines, dotted with restaurants and gourmet cafés like Starbucks and Coffee Bean. The avenue leads to the heart of entertainment in Makati, the high-end Greenbelt and Rockwell, located alongside the shopping malls of Glorietta, SM, and Powerplant Mall.
Hotel belt
Perpendicular to Ayala Avenue is Makati Avenue, the hotel belt of the Philippines that contains the five-star hotels of Shangri-La, Peninsula, Intercontinental Manila, Mandarin Oriental, and Dusit Hotel, as well as boutique hotels like Astor, Best Western and Hotel Celeste.
Entertainment and nightlife
Along Makati Avenue lie the red light district, Burgos, and the karaoke bar strip, Jupiter Street. A. Venue, Tabu, saGuijo, B-side Bar, Icon at the InterContinental, and The Bureau are also rising to prominence as alternative venues for local and international concerts and discos.
