The Bonifacio Global City, colloquially known as BGC, has been the favorite hangout place of Filipinos and tourists alike since its conception. When it comes to sophisticated spots to unwind, Ayala in Makati is the first that you’ll think of. But, BGC is young, new, and hip. You should visit.
Moreover, this bustling central business district and financial hub in Taguig has around 500,000 daytime workers and visitors. These professionals working here may be looking for places to relax after their nine-to-five shift. Let’s get started and find out where to unwind in BGC after a tiring day at work.
1. Uptown Mall
Operated by Megaworld, the company behind some of the country’s best townships and condominiums, Uptown Mall is a high-end lifestyle mall located at the heart of BGC. There’s so many things to do here.
This mall has five levels filled with stores and limitless experiences for you to enjoy. You can shop, then dine after your nine-to-five work, visiting stores of your favorite brands like Adidas, The Travel Club, Levi’s, Healthy Options, and others. Restaurants are plenty. Do you want Japanese food, or maybe Western cuisine? They have it here.
In addition, Uptown Mall also has cinemas that show movies even after their closing time. The cinemas also have the Boozy Bar, historic as it is the country’s first cinema cocktail bar, making it the best place in BGC for a late-night unwinding.
2. Gondola Ride At Venice Grand Canal Mall
How about “flying” and whisking yourself away to Venice, Italy after work? Sounds like a great idea, right? The Venice Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hill is an open-air mall with ambience inspired by one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, featuring upscale shops, beauty services, and dining, among others.
Its highlight is the legendary gondola ride that mimics the gondola ride experience in Venice. A Filipino boatman, dressed in the traditional attire of boatmen in Venice, will transport you on the waters from where you can gaze at the shops around standing on Italian-inspired architecture. You can ask your gondola boatman to sing or even take pictures for social media flaunting.
3. BGC’s Art Scene
Meanwhile, if you don’t want the crowd and don’t want to be tempted to splurge in BGC’s lifestyle malls, you can relax after work by walking around the high street and getting mesmerized by the vibrant art scene it has to offer.
BGC is like a museum. Walk its streets and see colorful murals splashed across its buildings, parking spaces, and even power vaults. It challenges the art scenes found in Hong Kong, Chicago, and South America. Take photos of sculptures and installations. The highlight of this best place in BGC for art is probably “The Trees,” a stunning artwork inspired by trees, created by Reynato Paz Contreras, a prominent Filipino sculptor, at Burgos Circle Park.
4. Restaurants Open Until Midnight And Beyond
While there are plenty of restaurants at the Venice Grand Canal Mall and Uptown Mall, they close shortly after 10 p.m. That’s not ideal if you still work to unwind and lounge after those hours. Thankfully, there are several restaurants in BGC that are open until midnight and beyond.
Craving for breakfast after work? Be sure to check out Recovery Food, a diner specializing in delicious breakfast and comfort food. Then, there’s Goto Tendon for you who’s craving iconic Filipino favorites, such as pares, silogs, and con niyebes. Looking for trendy spots? Try it at Tipsy Pig, a pub where you can taste various kinds of beverages while pairing them with good food. Weaving an unforgettable food experience shouldn’t be time-bound.
5. Bonifacio High Street
When people think of BGC, they’ll identify this as “high street.” The average Pinoy is usually intimidated of driving to BGC, as it, being a high street, they’ll associate it with the elite walking around with their pets, fashionable attire, or branded bags. But, BGC is for everyone, especially the Bonifacio High Street.
This mixed-used development in BGC also offers exceptional shopping and dining options. In fact, it is the first-ever shopping center in the Philippines to introduce the main street concept. This best place in BGC to connect draws inspiration from the boutique districts in New York City, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Singapore, among others. While you’re here, check out the new 3D LED board inspired by the viral board of this kind in Tokyo.
6. XYLO At The Palace
As singer Fergie says, a little party never killed nobody. If you feel like it’s the booze, the drinks, and all-out dancing in the night will save you from a stressful day at work, head to BGC’s favorite party destinations. The most recommended place for partying here is XYLO at the Palace.
XYLO at the Palace is touted as the country’s number one nightclub. Amid state-of-the-art lighting and sounds, you get to experience the VIP bottle service and music from top-brass DJs for an unforgettable night in BGC. If you’re not visiting on a Friday, be sure you won’t get too tipsy or drunk for the next day’s work.
7. Parks And Open Spaces
Those who want to keep things simpler can instead head to BGC’s parks and open spaces. They’re nothing short of spectacular. You can change to your activewear, then run or jog along BGC Greenway Park or Track 30th. Otherwise, stroll around Burgos Park. These spaces won’t just provide exercise opportunities, but also the chance to reconnect with nature, truly perfect after a draining nine-to-five job.
The minute you time out on the Bundy clock at work, no matter whether you own a car or you commute, you will face grueling traffic. It’s already been stressful at work and traffic on the road is another draining moment. Why don’t you skip traffic and visit those places in BGC while waiting for the crowd to dissipate? Watch a movie in BGC’s lifestyle malls, stroll around the open spaces, have a bite in its best restaurants, or get a drink at its clubs. The Bonifacio Global City, perfect place to live, work, and play.