Nonito C.
Yelp
I have friends who visit from abroad, and when they do come, I always take them around Intramuros and Old Manila for the requisite historical tour. I always make it a point to end the trip around sunset, and the last stop of each of my impromptu tours would be at the roof deck and the sky lounge of The Bayleaf, which is always a treat. The sweeping 360-degree view of the city from the roof deck is a fun and picturesque way of showing off what Manila has to offer when all of its evening lights are lit and the sky is ablaze with a mirage of different colored lights.
The lounge is also a snazzy bar where you can order a few cold ones or cocktails. I particularly enjoy the Manila Sunrise, which is a local version of Tequila Sunrise, only it is made out seven different kinds of liquors and spirits - their own take on my college favorite, the Weng Weng. The hotel itself is a charming venue for any event that you want. The conference room at the mezzanine level is spacious enough for a hundred or so guests, and the food is quite okay. This hotel has received good ratings, and it is impressive considering that most of the operations are run by students and interns from Lyceum, which uses it as its training ground for its future hoteliers, hospitality professionals and restaurateurs.
The Sky Lounge and Nine Spoons open at around 5PM, just perfect for sunset viewing. You need to see what the bay looks like from up here. It is spectacular.