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Nowadays, it’s hard enough to get a date, let alone figure out where to take him or her for an afternoon together or a fun night out. For most people, especially for the ladies, “date places” echo how special (or how interested) the other person is so it’s common to stress about where to eat and what to do just to break the jitters of actually going out on a date. Hopefully for those of us who do get to go out very rarely, dates in Davao should and always be primarily about going somewhere we can enjoy the company of the person we are with and, with a little luck and charm, snag ourselves a second date on the way.

So where do you take your date in Davao City? Here are some places you might want to check out:

Music, Fun and Drinks

Eagles at the Marco Polo is one of my favorites simply because you don’t have to leave after dinner. You and your date could enjoy your dinner then at about 9 o’clock pm, a Live Jazz band comes on.

If you’ve got the moves and your date is up for some dancing, Baile at the Grand Men Seng is definitely a must. You and your date could get caught up in dancing the salsa or the tango all night long. Even if both of you don’t dance, the professional dance instructors are always fun to watch and you both can start planning getting dancing lessons together.

The BMW Piano Bar at Jacks Ridge offers live piano performances from up and coming musicians and patrons can even step up to the stage and jam with the pianist. Plus, the Jack’s Ridge Compound has walkways and park benches which give you a wonderful view of the city if you fancy an evening stroll with your date.

Karaoke is a popular pastime among Filipinos. What better way to have fun and impress your date than to belt out a song or two? World Palace in Juna Subdivision in Ecoland allows you to serenade your date without having to worry about critical onlookers (who probably can’t sing anyway).

Whistle Top Bar and Resto at Matina Town Square is one of the trendier night spots in the city. Drinks and conversation could abound amidst a friendly game of billiards or darts.

Warm and Cozy Date Spots

If you really want to get up close and personal, the noisy night spots just won’t do. You need to go to those out of the way but laid back, cozier date spots which allow you to talk about more personal things. Who can go wrong with dim to soft glowing lights, a little wine maybe and soft soothing music?

La Piscine Restaurant in Palm Village, Bajada is definitely my favorite. This little out of the way restaurant boasts a pool where you and your date can enjoy a night of swimming. Plus, everything (and I do mean everything) on the menu is a must try.

The Italian ambiance is always a winner for the ladies. La Toscana along Quirino Street is a small ristorante which serves some of the most delicious pasta in the city. If you fancy pizza, osso buco or yummy calzone for lunch or an early dinner then you can drop by Picobello at the top floor of Gaisano South Mall (in Illustre Avenue).

If you wish to catch a whiff of ocean breeze and set the mood with the sound of waves then I recommend Pirata Bar at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. This place is definitely a good place for drinks after dinner where you and your date can relax and talk well into the night.

Krua Thai Restaurant, located along Torres Street, has become more popular with Davaoenos for its authentic Thai cuisine. The inviting interior allows for an exotic aura combined with some cosmopolitan chic, which I personally find quite relaxing.

Sarung Banggi is a cozy steak house along Torres Street and is part of the Harana group of restaurants which has established itself in the city for as long as I can remember. The atmosphere positively breathes the word “ROMANTIC DINNER”.

Of course in the end, having fun is key for any date. Taking the time to know and find out what your date enjoys will go a long way in assuring that whatever you plan for your date brings out the best in you and shows your date the best time ever.

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DavaoTraveler.com Admin Notes:
February is popularly recognized as the Love month. This article is supposed to be written in time for the Valentine’s Day. Not according to the article writer, Monique “Nikki” Musni. Nikki is a versatile writer who has contributed articles for various magazines with global circulation. Thanks, Nikki for this nice, lovely and informative article on Davao’s best dating places.

Are you an owl? Love venturing out at night? When it comes to nightlife in Davao City, you are spoilt for choice. You can choose to party, shop, and eat, or have a dose of belly laughs.

If you decide to party, where can you go? For starters, you can check out the iconic The Venue at Jacinto Street . The name itself simplifies what to expect for a night of fun, girls, boys and booze. The Venue is party place at its best. It boasts a number of clubs and a wine bar, and often has international DJs spinning in the clubs.

The Venue is a powerhouse party place all in one, its size is like a coal-fired power plant turned giant entertainment complex plus with a whooping 2 clubs outside, there is a dance tune for everyone. It also is a one stop place for Manila entertainers and foreign acts coming to Davao to perform. The recent was John Ford Coley, who’s music is a staple Filipino favorite, created a pandemonium as Davaoenos troop to get the best seats for the concert.

The Matina Town Square at Matina, Davao City (where else could it be?) is another place to hangout with good-time friends and your circle of party people. Like The Venue, this one stop party place has an assortment of restaurants that are mostly closed in the daytime but are very energetic at night. There is free entertainment most nights at the central gazebo. Several food stalls remain open until very early in the morning. It is said to bring a Bride and Groom good luck to have a photo taken here.

There is also a flea market on weekends from 5pm to 12am. Over 70 stalls selling junk and collectibles, Davao products for souvenirs. I remember going crazy over some stuf , so fascinated by all the accessories and bags, I forgot I was there to watch my cousin Jay Durias of South Border perform . I was so embarrassed to have showed up with only three more songs before the concert is over.

If you prefer to chill out to good music with just a cold beer in a small pub, there are plenty of pubs along the Matina Town Square, some with live bands take for example Kanto Bar. For a nice steak that make you come back for more and a to die for mash potato you can check out Whistle Top, a Western inspired restaurant with a fusion of old Hollywood style design and memorabilias hang everywhere.

Those who dread smelling like an ash tray after a night of partying will be pleased to know that smoking is not allowed in nightspots in Davao City (give my regards to Mayor Duterte for a job well done), unless these places have approved smoking rooms but I’m pretty sure there is none.
Drinks – including beer — are fairly priced. Most bars have happy hours, where drinks are at a sharp discount or standard drinks like vodka tonic are on one-for-one offer. Wednesday night is Ladies Night at many bars, while some bars and clubs mark out one night of the week with a special dance or music theme. The bars serve finger food, some offer the usual pub grub like fish and chips or spring rolls, while the trendier ones have sushi or teppanyaki on their menus.

It’s hard to single out a single bar/pub/restaurant/nightspot here so my advice is walk around and settle on a place that meets you fancy…there’s lots to do here, you can go and, eat local and international cuisine, shop for really good bargains at the Fleamart, or take a good walk with friends.

Perhaps you prefer to let your hair down in other ways besides drinking and dancing. The ever popular coffe shop Blue Gre’ offers a wide array of sweet delicacies that can make you salivate for more. Try their durian coffee (Oh! Gosh, I’m salivating again!). The area is Wi-Fi Hot Spot, you can go online till you drop.

Matina Town Square also boast a big landscape park (your eyes strain with envy looking at couples sitting on the benches and enjoying the night), and a mini playground for kids (my married friends bring their kids around and let them play dirty until we finish dining. Matina Town Square is definitely a one stop entertainment place. All you need to do is choose which fits your lifestyle. And before you know it, the sun has risen, signaling the start of a brand new day.

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This article on Davao Nightlife is contributed by Stephanie Morales. Stephanie loves to write, sing and party with friends.

Previously, we featured the Island Tour Packages of Kahsan Tours — a travel agency based in Davao that focuses on Inbound Travel. For this article, let’s go back again to Davao City.

For the really, really first time visitors to Davao, assuming you don’t know someone here who can be your tour guide, it’s best to try the following tour packages from Kahsan Tours.

TOUR PACKAGE #7: SHOPPING TOUR WITH VISIT TO SPA

First stop is the famous Aldevinco Shopping Center. There you can change your Dollar, Euro, Yen, or some other acceptable currencies to the Philippine Peso, our local currency. Money Changers are all over the place and ready to do your Forex transaction in Davao. While at Aldevinco, you can shop around for Philippine native products like batik, intricately designed beads, colorful tubaos (head scarfs), abaca slippers, T’boli cloths and to other antique items. (Tip: Most items sold here are negotiable, so don’t be ready to accept the first price offer.)

After the Aldevinco Shopping Center, you will then check Tetel Tionko’s Shop. Tetel has carved a name in the European market for her delicately woven abaca cloth turned into placemats, table runners, throw pillo cases, blinds, wine holders, bags and other items. Just besides the shop is another shopping option with hand-painted jusi and pina blouses.

Then, off you go to Holiday Spa for some snacks from the kitchen of Chef Paddy and a soothing massage.

Tour Inclusions:
Aircon land transport with tour guide, snacks, entrance fees.

TOUR PACKAGE #8: EDEN NATURE PARK TOUR

Eden Nature Park is a mountain resort located at the foot of the Philippines’ highest peak, the Mount Apo. With its soothingly balmy atmosphere, a garden exploding with vibrant colors, a bird park, an enchanting forest and breathtaking view of the city, the Eden Nature Park is truly a must-see, must-experience destination in Davao.

And how about a buffet of organically grown vegetables for your lunch?

Tour Inclusions:
Entrance fees, buffet lunch at the park, aircon land transportation, tour guide, driver.

TOUR PACKAGE #9: DAVAO BY NIGHT

Experience Davao’s roaring night life. Pickup time is at 6:30 PM from your hotel. While taking dinner at the Taboan at the Matina Town Square, you will be entertained by some cultural presentations by Davao’s local artists. At 8:00 PM, you will have a coffee or after dinner drinks at Jack’s Ridge Restaurant for a breathtaking view of the city at night.

End the night with smiles and laughters as you proceed to Studio Onnie. There you will be entertained by Davao’s stand up comedians Tour Inclusions:

Tour Inclusions:
Aircon transportation, set dinner, entrance fee and drinks at Studio Onnie

Don’t forget to get in touch with the friendly staff of Kahsan Tour Travel Services. Call them up at 0063-082-225-4213.