A Complete Guide to Nightlife in Port Barton: 5 Must-Vist Bars

Looking to party in Port Barton?

In this Port Barton Nightlife Guide, I’ll walk you through the top 5 bars you simply cannot miss.

Nestled on Palawan’s western coast, Port Barton is a sleepy beach town still untouched by mass tourism like other destinations in the Philippines.

Port Barton retains its laid-back charm, with pristine beaches, lush jungles, and a back-to-basics island feel.

Port Barton has some of the best nightlife in Palawan – I spent one week exploring Port Barton and was blown away by the lively atmosphere each evening.

As the sun sets, Port Barton comes alive with beachfront cocktails & live music, followed by incredible parties and DJs to see you into the night.

As if that wasn’t enough, you can also enjoy booze cruises, fire shows, and pool parties.

Keep reading as I reveal the top 5 Port Barton bars and party spots this hidden gem has to offer.

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Port Barton Nightlife: Overview

If you don’t have time to read the whole guide, below is a quick summary.

Top 5 Best Port Barton Bars

Bar hopping is one of the best things to do in Port Barton.

Port Barton is very small and the bars are very close together – this means that as one bar closes, you can move with the crowds to the next.

Port Barton’s small-town charm creates a unique blend of locals and tourists flocking to the same places, giving the nightlife an exciting, energetic atmosphere.

Related: Top 9 BEST Things To Do in Port Barton

Cocorico Hostel

• Great for socializing & meeting other backpackers
• Cheap drinks – free drinks during happy (half) hour
• Cocorico Boat Party with unlimited alcohol

Any post about Port Barton nightlife has to begin with Cocorico – it is the center of the action.

CocoRico is the ultimate social hostel centrally located in town. There is always a buzzing atmosphere, with DJs bringing the vibes each night.

With a restaurant, bar, and parties every night of the week, this is the place to be to socialize and meet like-minded backpackers.

They’ve got a great cocktail selection, all reasonably priced, and during happy (half) hour, you can score free drinks.

Don’t miss their daily happy hour from 7:00-7:30 PM for free drinks, and keep an ear out for the special bell that signals free shots for everyone

CocoRico is also one of the best Port Barton restaurants – great for grabbing a bite to eat before a night of partying.

Full Post: Where To Eat in Port Barton: Top 9 BEST Restaurants

The fun doesn’t stop with drinks – there’s a large dancefloor, plus beer pong, Jenga, and drinking games for those with a competitive streak.

Tip: CocoRico closes at about 12 PM, making it the perfect pre-game spot

You also cannot miss the CocoRico Boat Party – this was one of the best days of my whole trip to the Philippines.

As with the standard island hopping tours, you will explore the pristine beaches and secluded islands surrounding Port Barton.

However, this is certainly not your regular island-hopping tour. The Cocorico boat party comes with music, games, and unlimited alcoholic drinks.

We also enjoyed a delicious Filipino BBQ on a private beach. The tours are every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Happy Bar

• Amazing happy hour – beachfront sunset cocktails
• Fire shows & live music
• DJ sets on the beach

Another one of the best Port Barton bars is Happy Bar.

Located directly on the beachfront, Happy Bar is the best place to kick off your night.

The vibe here is truly magical as the sun sets – you can’t beat sipping on a cocktail and admiring the changing colors of the sky as one of the best things to do in Port Barton.

Happy Bar’s happy hour is one of the best in town, offering 2-for-1 cocktails and even a free rum and coke with every beer order!

Tip: some nights there are unlimited drinks for 300 PHP, as well as special deals for the ladies

But the fun doesn’t end with sunset. Drop by from 6 PM to witness the epic fire show every single night, performed directly on the beach.

Afterward, stick around for live music with native drummers setting the tropical mood, and stay late for DJ sets on the beach.

With its unbeatable beachfront location, Happy Bar perfectly captures the laid-back island vibe that makes Port Barton so special.

Suggested: ULTIMATE PORT BARTON TRAVEL GUIDE: Budget & Itinerary

FLOW Pool Bar & Resto

• Laid-back vibe during the day with games & swimming pool
• Live music & DJs
• Iconic foam pool party on Saturdays

Another must-visit Port Barton nightlife spot is Flow Bar & Resto.

Flow offers a laid-back vibe during the day, but really comes alive at night.

The star of the show is the swimming pool, which you can use for free when ordering food or drinks.

Every Saturday, Flow hosts its iconic foam pool parties, with great music, lively vibes, and the opportunity to meet fellow travelers.

Enjoy a game of pool volleyball or simply float about on a giant inflatable with a cocktail in hand –keep an eye out for staff coming round with alcohol-filled water guns.

There is a raised stage area behind the swimming pool, with local bands each evening. Stick around for pumping DJs to see you into the night.

Tip: Flow Bar stays open pretty late and due to its proximity, it is a great Port Barton bar to visit after Cocorico

But its not just about the parties. There are heaps of sofas and beanbags for relaxing, and many activities like darts, a foosball table, and board games for some lighthearted fun.

Flow Bar offers an amazing range of delicious cocktails, and is one of the best restaurants in Port Barton – perfect for pizza and burger enthusiasts.

Full Post: Where To Eat: Top 9 Best Port Barton Restaurants

Native’bo Reggae Bar

• Live reggae music each night
• Rustic tiki-style decor – laidback vibe
• 2-for-2 rum and cokes from 1-7 PM every day

One of the best bars in Port Barton for drinks and chilled vibes is Native’bo Reggae Bar.

As the name suggests, Native’bo is known for its live reggae music, with fantastic local musicians each night from 6:00 PM.

Enjoy live music and some drinks until 11 PM, and stick around after to enjoy DJs into the night – if you are a fan of reggae music, you cannot miss this spot.

Located near the bus terminal, the rustic tiki-style decor captures the essence of island life. Furthermore, the amazing graffiti and wall art give the place a super trendy vibe.

Native’bo attracts a great mix of locals and travelers, creating a unique social vibe. There’s ample seating and a spacious dancefloor to enjoy the music.

This is also one of the most affordable Port Barton nightlife spots to enjoy some drinks, especially with 2-for-1 rum and cokes from 1 -7 PM every day.

Tip: enjoy a feel complimentary drink if you wear a reggae shirt

Moon Bar

• Stays open the latest into the early hours
• Slight trek to reach it – just outside town
• DJs, live music & fire shows

No list of the best Port Barton bars is complete without mentioning Moon Bar.

Open later than all the other bars, Moon Bar is the perfect spot to end your night on a high.

Located slightly out of town up a hill, this bar has a rustic open terrace with extraordinary views. The space is huge and airy, perfect for dancing the night away.

Whilst this is a great spot to enjoy happy hour and live music in the early evening, Moon Bar truly comes alive from 10 PM onwards.

The dancefloor fills with both international tourists and locals, and after the live bands, DJs keep the energy high until the early hours.

If you decide to swing by earlier, the raised position of Moon Bar makes this a great spot to witness the sun setting over the ocean. Some nights there are also fire shows.

Despite the walk to reach it, Moon Bar is a secluded haven where the party continues even though the rest of Port Barton has gone to sleep.

Where to stay in Port Barton

Port Barton is certainly not the destination for beachfront resorts and the luxury traveler. The island has a back-to-basics feel; hot water and fast wifi can be hard to come by.

I would suggest staying near the center, as most of the main Port Barton tourist spots and restaurants can be reached on foot.

Cocorico Hostel

The best Port Barton hostel for backpackers & solo travelers.

This is the ultimate social hostel with amazing parties nearly every night. They have a delicious restaurant, as well as their very own boat party.

Prices for dorms start from $17.00 per night.

Aquarius (my top pick)

The best place to stay in Port Barton for couples or groups with a medium budget – this is where I stayed and I could not recommend it more.

All rooms are spacious and modern, with hot showers from solar power and good wifi. This hotel is located minutes from the beach and restaurants.

There is also a shared kitchen equipped with free water and coffee, as well as a terrace area to socialize. There are board games, a dart board, and free use of the kayak.

Prices start from $28.00 per night.

Holiday Suites Port Barton

The best Port Barton accommodation for more luxury travelers.

A choice of family, deluxe, or superior rooms, some offering sweeping views of Itaytay Beach.

This accommodation features a swimming pool, a beach bar, and a delicious restaurant. Staff will be happy to help you organize any island hopping tours.

Good wifi and free breakfast included. Rooms start from $125.00 per night.

How to get to Port Barton

To reach Port Barton, first, you will have to fly to Puerto Princesa.

This is the main airport for the island of Palawan and can be reached from all popular destinations.

After reaching Puerto Princesa, Port Barton is very straightforward to reach.

The most common way is to book a shared mini-van. These depart from Puerto Princesa Airport and pass through Puerto Princesa town, before heading to Port Barton.

🚗 BOOK YOUR PORT BARTON TRANSFER HERE

➡️ For detailed instructions from all popular destinations, check out my full How To Get To Port Barton Guide

FAQs

Is Port Barton better than El Nido?

Both Port Barton and El Nido are unmissable destinations when visiting the Philippines.

Comparing them is difficult, as they offer something completely different to the traveler.

The limestone cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and white sands of El Nido are some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world.

As a popular destination, El Nido is well-geared towards tourists.

You will find many world-class resorts, delicious restaurants, buzzing nightlife, as well as many tours and day trips exploring the nearby islands.

Must Read: Top 5 MOST BEAUTIFUL Beaches in El Nido

Port Barton on the other hand has only recently become a popular tourist destination, and the infrastructure is lacking in certain areas.

Whilst more restaurants and hotels pop up each year, Port Barton has not been designed for the tourist. It is a better place to visit if you are looking to understand Filipino daily life better.

The natural surroundings are certainly not as striking as those in El Nido.

However, getting to appreciate such stunning beaches, islands, and coral reefs totally absent of tourists, makes the overall experience much more special.

If you have time, then both Port Barton and El Nido are a must on any Palawan itinerary.

Is it worth going to Port Barton?

Port Barton is most definitely worth visiting.

Located halfway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Port Barton has not experienced the influx of tourism like its more popular neighbors.

This sleepy beach town therefore remains pretty undiscovered and untouched.

You should not expect to share the beaches with hoards of tourists and the island hopping experience feels much more authentic than in El Nido.

If you are looking to get off the beaten path and out of the tourist playground, then you cannot miss this Palawan hidden gem.

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How long do you need in Port Barton?

I would say that 3 – 5 days is the ideal amount of time in Port Barton.

There are many amazing things to do in Port Barton, such as pristine beaches, snorkeling, and waterfalls.

With many white-sand paradisiacal islands and snorkeling spots dotted around Port Barton, island hopping is something you cannot miss.

➡️ Save yourself the hassle and book your island-hopping tour in advance

In the modern world, it can be hard to find untouched natural beauty and an atmosphere of tranquility absent of tourists.

Therefore, whilst you can visit the main tourist spots in a couple of days, be sure to leave some extra time to relax and enjoy the slower pace of life.

Must Read: ULTIMATE PORT BARTON TRAVEL GUIDE: Budget & Itinerary

Why is Port Barton famous?

Port Barton could be seen as El Nido’s more chilled-out little brother.

It is known for its stunning white-sand beaches, thriving and vibrant coral reefs, and pristine islands surrounding it.

As Port Barton is west-facing, it is also known for its stunning sunsets each night. Generally, Port Barton is known for its slower pace and more authentic representation of Filipino culture.

Can you walk to White Beach from Port Barton?

I had read online that it is possible to walk from Port Barton town to White Beach – however, I had no luck in finding this route myself.

If you follow Itaytay Beach (Port Barton’s main beach) right to the end, there is a pathway that eventually leads you to Coconut Beach.

However, from Coconut Beach, I personally could not find the path to White Beach.

I have read online that the path to White Beach is rough and not suitable for walking – I’d only recommend looking for it if you’re up for a bit of adventure.

Full Post: White Beach Port Barton: Everything You Need To Know

Port Barton Nightlife: Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it! This post has detailed everything Port Barton nightlife has to offer.

Whether you’re hoping for a relaxed night of sunset cocktails and live music, or want to dance the night away with new-found friends, there is something for every type of traveler.

If you have visited any of these Port Barton bars, I would love to hear from you – reach out to me on Instagram or Pinterest and let me know how you found it!

Planning your Philippines trip?

With so many amazing islands to explore, how do you decide where to visit? For inspiration, itinerary ideas, and dream destinations, check out the following –

1-Month Philippines Itinerary – the ideal backpacking route exploring popular destinations & off-the-beaten-path spots

Top 10 Best Places To Visit in the Philippines – your ultimate guide to the best destinations to suit every type of traveler