An ex-pat oriented bar which features full food menue 24/7 and which is the premier venue in Manila for freelancers, at all hours of the day. Cost should run P500 (USD $10) for short-time. The later you go the better, though reasonable choices are available as early at noon.

At night the upstairs bar features live bands, that large groups of local filipinas (most of whom are available) always flock to hear.

P500 for short-time seems awfully low but not impossible. Only place I've paid less than this was in Cambodia, not including freebies of course. I've heard ranges from 1000-3000 for long-time depending on girls. I plan to do Manila/Makati in late May so I'll find out soon. Thanks for the info.

I agree, 500 pesos does seem too low, but it's possible I was just paying too much. I pulled two girls out of here, I think I paid 1500 each. At $30 US, that's about $10 more than in Angeles and half of what you might pay at the EDSA complex which I believe is the best overall value for P4P in Manila.

Still, it's nice to have options here 24hrs/day. I pulled a cute girl out at about 5am. They probably have the best selection in the evening.

I don't know how often or if they still have live bands, when I went they had a disco upstairs. They also have several pool tables downstairs to pass the time.

I ordered some beef tips grilled with onions and some spring rolls which I enjoyed.

Humm, I am surprised LA Cafe has not received more attention. During any night and 4 sure on weekends there are hundreds of ladys up 4 grabs both young 18+ and old 45+. This is the old Rosies Diner and Hula Hut, Same doors as back in the good old days when this street was one of the biggest whore houses in Asia. Picked up a hottie at 10:30 am here, a student wanting some extra cash. She was VERY pleased with 1500P

1429 M.H. Del Pilar St
Ermita, Manila
Phone: 526 7592
Fax: 526 7592
http://www.ermita.com
lacafe@ermita.com

Make sure you take note of the street address. Don't assume the taxi drivers will know where it is because my driver and I had a bitch of a time finding it even when asking a number of people on the street.

By the way, Ermita is north of Malate which is north of Pasay. M.H. Pilar is between Roxas and A. Mabini. If I recall correctly, LA Cafe is a little bit south of Lotus Garden at the corner of M.H. Pilar and Padre Fauna.

hi guys: Don't ruin LA Cafe. If you are young and handsome, any gal, 1000. If ugly or old, 1500. Never more please and that is for all night.

When you are tired touring the go-go bars and clubs, LA Cafe in the Malate district of Manila is is the accepted late night hang out for gilrs that have been working in the various go-go bars in Edsa or Makati but have found it difficult to make ends meet due to a lack of customers. It is a normal bar but has made life very easy for the girls to operate inside. As a result, prices are very low. The quality is variable but there are normally some diamonds in the rough. The bar is open 24 hours a day but the best time to go is around 10, before it gets really busy. There are 7 pool tables for teh sports minded! Beers are around 100 pesos (45 pesos at happy hour) and the food is good value. At any time there are between 50 and 100 girls in the bar. Like most Filipinas, they are shy to confront you about price but 1,000 pesos is considered a reasonable "taxi fare" home.

- inside: top 40 music; traditional bar food w/ some local food fare; mostly expats (older men) and lots and lots of young freelance girls
- scene: hang out with friends or by yourself with a beer (80-120 pesos/1.10 - 1.20 U.S.) and within 15 minutes you will have several girls coming up to you and making conversation
- easy to take girl out: cost is entirely up to you and even for free
- many local hotels in area costing 400-800 pesos (10-15)

Pros: quick action on a limited budget
Cons: overly crowded and very loud music

I did a stupid thing at L.A. Cafe. The reason is, I don't really like to "slam-bang-thank you ma'm." I like to "get to know you."

Shortly after going into the L.A. Cafe--my first time there--I was apprached by a woman in her early 30's, and a very thin but cute one in her 20's. The older one was fairly aggressive and had big boobs, so I chose her.

As I said, I like to get acquainted before doing it, so we went downstairs to the regular restaurant area, where we could hear each other. (You can't hear yourself think closer to the band.) After a brief get-acquainted session, we went to my hotel, the La Corona.

She didn't want to go all-the-way, just BBBJ. That was Ok the first night, but the next afternoon we finally did it, and it was quite good. (In my inexperience, I'm convinced that Filipnas are REALLY great f__k_.) We spent the entire weekend together.

Here is the mistake: I allowed myself to get too friendly, and gave her my e-mail address and phone number. After I returned home, she kept calling and e-mailing me asking for money. I don't have any idea how much I gave her altogether--in Ermita and at home--but it was more than I would pay at home for an hour at a "massage parlor." I was finally able to persuade her to stop calling me, and it ended.

I'm going back next week, and I (1) hope I don't see her again at L.A. Cafe or anywhere else; and (2) I've convinced myself that I can't solve the problems of Asia, and I've got to keep my cash and my ATM card in my pocket!!

Hope this helps if any of you are as stupid as me.

Scotsman,
You should have let her keep calling you on her nickel and keep your acquaintance going. Everytime she calls preempt any of her requests with your sob story of how your car died and you just got laid off and your mother is sick and your dog is being held for ransom. And ask her to send you money through western union.
Then when you go back to PI, she will avoid you or you are with someone you've already got to know.
Of course, I'm talking crap because I probably would have broken down and actually sent her money too. But I would like to think I could pull something like that.

(Message edited by tryer on August 28, 2004)

Tryer, that is a GREAT idea. I'm going to store that one away. (Unfortunately, my mind doesn't normally work like that--as old as I am, you'd think I'd have learned by now.)

But I am going back to the LA Cafe on my Sept. trip. The place is fascinating. Anyone who likes to pick up girls in a bar--who aren't really professional --will really enjoy the place. I'm glad to hear the food is good, because I think I'll take my "date" there for lunch to discuss what we're going to do in my room at the La Corona.

I visited L.A. Cafe twice on my recent trip to Manila--Sept. 4-10. The first time I went was to hear Freddie Aguilar--a local hero, and quite a good musician and composer. (I made contact with his sax player--Pete--whom I consider to be an excellant jazz saxaphonist. He kept me up-to-date about where the group would be appearing.)

I took 3 girls in with me, so wasn't looking this time.

But Freddie & his group were late--they had been in Baguio earlier that day, to promote a new album. So, I was forced to listen to deafeningly loud music from the preceeding band, and the recorded music they play between acts.

It was soooo loud that eventually I went outside to enjoy some peace and quiet, leaving my 3 ladies alone in there. I sat down on a narrow ledge of a lamp post, and within 30 seconds a middle aged woman (younger than me, however) came up to me, and started asking if I was alone in the bar. Then a very attractive young lady came over and joined the conversation. I talked with them for awhile, but told them I already had 3 girls inside, so wasn't interested. Then the older woman claimed to be selling mangoes.

The funny thing was, when I and my 3 companions finally left the place--after hearing one set by Freddie--that same older woman came up to me to say hello. One of the women with me charged into her, yelling something in (I presume) Tagalogue, and shoving her away. I finally broke it up.

Then a taxi drive tried to charge me 500 pesos for a ride back to my hotel--the LaCorona, just a few blocks away--normally about 60 pesos. I grabbed my 500 peso bill back from him, and we found a more honest cabbie.

In other words, when you're around the L.A. Cafe area, put up your guard! And try not to get raped (if you want to, that is).

But despite the very loud music, it is a fun place to go--if only to watch the dance being put on by the numerous ladies and the horny men. I saw one thing I have never seen before at L.A. Cafe: There was a tall, slender, gray-haired western man wandering around, obviously looking unsuccessfully for a woman--no luck. None would have a thing to do with him.

Later I asked my companions why he was being treated that way. They said that the girls probably all knew him--that is, he has a reputation in the L.A. Cafe. I immediately assumed they meant he played rough, but they said he probably didn't pay enough, if anything at all. I wish I knew the exact truth about that guy, but suffice it to say you can't get away with just anything in the L.A. Cafe.

The second time I was there was my last night in Manila. I just wanted to try something new, so went in alone. As soon as I had walked in the door, a VERY cute girl game me a dazzling smile. I played hard-to-get (but not very) and walked around the circular bar on the first floor, but then came back to her--she was sitting with a slightly older woman with a "mysterious face." After attempting to talk for awhile, I gave up and we went down stairs near the pool room, so we could hear each other talk. (It's that bad in there.) After visiting with both of them for awhile, I chose the older, "mysterious-looking" lady.

We spent the night together and most of the next day. During that time, she started criticizing other women, including the cute younger one she had been sitting with when I joined them. She said that the younger woman was married and has children, and her husband sends her to the L.A. Cafe to earn their keep. She was quite disgusted with that type of life, and I guess I feel the same way. Anyway, the last thing I want to do is get mixed up with a woman who has a man who thinks he owns her.

Believe it or not, I sent that lady packing the next day--afternoon--and called my favorite of the 3 women from earlier in the week, to see if she could spend time with me during my last hours in Manila. (The mysterious woman also claimed that she knew the woman I called, and said she is also married and has several children, and that her husband sends her to work at L.A. Cafe. But I just don't believe her.)

She came over, we ate dinner together, and she went to the airport with me to say "goodbye." We actually discussed the possiblity of her becoming my "mistress" in Manila.

I realize that getting a Manila mistress is probably outside the scope of this website, but it appeals to me. This lady is a very nice lady to spend time with, and she actually treated me like a real friend while we were together. (She's great in bed, too.) Granted, at this rate, I'll never have the stories to tell that you fellows tell.

Scotsman

There are worse things in life then a Filipina mistress. Hell, I have TWO!! Granted I NEVER give them any money via WU, but still grace their palms with some Pisos when I'm in town. Both stopped working bar a while back and stay in province (verified).

Actually, my second girl in AC doesn't even take my money anymore and lets me butterfly. There are worse things it life, eh?

I've also got two girls in Thailand too. Guess this means on my next trip I gotta find a few in Indonesia to balance things out. Hell, one already offered!!

E

This is a good place to go to as the last stop of the night. It is a very strange place. The first time I went there, I got frisked at the front door. Got violated in the package area from the overzealous frisker, who was a man. Not a good start. While standing at the urinal, I had a man come up and start massaging my shoulders. After I flushed, he asked for a tip. I was starting to think this was a gay bar. But once I was in the bar area, it clearly was not a gay bar as women outnumbered us by 3-1.

There were Mamasans there that had their own heirem of women and many free agents. The free agents are the best value. At closing time, they will go home with you for as little as $15 US. But you need to be a good negotiator. What helps is that the talent level is not great. The numbers are favorable, but the prettiest women don't hang here IMO. Therefore, you will say no to women that you are not interested in. They will lower and lower their prices until you finally just take them back for the low price, although you weren't planning on taking her back when you met her. This is kind of like shopping at Costco!

But it is a good place for a last shot for company. It is a nice bar, I have brought dates here to hang out as it is such a famous place.

This is a good place to go to as the last stop of the night. Especially if you are hungry as they serve food. It is a very strange place. The first time I went there, I got frisked at the front door. Got violated in the package area from the overzealous frisker, who was a man. Not a good start. While standing at the urinal, I had a man come up and start massaging my shoulders. After I flushed, he asked for a tip. I was starting to think this was a gay bar. But once I was in the bar area, it clearly was not a gay bar as women outnumbered us by 3-1.

There were Mamasans there that had their own heirem of women and many free agents. The free agents are the best value. At closing time, they will go home with you for as little as $15 US. But you need to be a good negotiator. What helps is that the talent level is not great. The numbers are favorable, but the prettiest women don't hang here IMO. Therefore, you will say no to women that you are not interested in. They will lower and lower their prices until you finally just take them back for the low price, although you weren't planning on taking her back when you met her. This is kind of like shopping at Costco!

But it is a good place for a last shot for company. It is a nice bar, I have brought dates here to hang out as it is such a famous place.

WARNING: Be careful of the men who come up behind you (as you sit listening to the music) and start massaging your neck. I forget the price, asked for afterwards, but it warn't cheap!

Just shoo them off when they start rubbing your neck.

Discovered this place on my last day in Manila last month. There's definitely a wide assortment of ladies to choose from. Some of them are a bit too aggressive and hard to shake, but that still leaves plenty to get to know. Also, there are many Western guys there, although the girls must outnumber the dudes at least three to one. I met a long-term patron there from Texas who filled me in that the going rate for companionship is 1000 pesos..."maybe a little more." Met an elderly Aussie who was great to talk to except he had a saliva control problem when he spoke. I introduced him to a shark who had sat down beside me, and his oral secretion spraying did a great job of getting rid of her posthaste. All the girls I met (maybe 6 to 8 total) were single moms. Maybe half had had babies fathered by foreigners who no longer were in contact with either mother or child. One lady told me that about 75% of the girls there were regular users of shabu. When I think of the time and money and blood, sweat, and tears I put into hussling women at American bars, I found the LA Cafe to be an extremely enjoyable experience.

Prior to my trip to Manila earlier this month, I had been reading that the LA Cafe was on a downslide. I don't remember the particulars, but I think it had something to do with an increased cover charge for its upstairs venue -- or maybe it was something like guys now had to pay a cover whereas before it was just the gals. Anyway, whatever it was, I am happy to report that LA Cafe is alive and well. Though the mornings and afternoons may not have much to offer, during the evenings after 8 or 9pm there are a lot of cute ladies in the place. As was the case during my previous visits, almost all the ladies there that I met were single moms working to support the kids (or so they said).

One of my lady-loves from the place told me an interesting story of her beginnings into the business. She arrived in Manila with zilch English skills. She quickly learned to say the customary "Hi! How are you?" and "Where you from?" and "Where you stay?" But these rudimentary skills were not enough to keep a potential customer interested in her. She learned some "body language" skills of rubbing legs and crotches which helped. Finally she got her first customer. But when she got to his room and it came time for a shower, she did not know how to operate it -- she had never been in one of those new-fangled contraptions with taps for hot and cold water and a separate knob to get the water from the spigot to the showerhead. Her customer thought her to be very strange. When the deed was done, the guy did not escort her to the hotel entrance, so she had to take the elevator downstairs by herself. But she did not know how to operate an elevator. She would push a button and the elevator would take her to a floor but it was not the lobby. Finally, she just pushed all the buttons, and though the elevator stopped at every floor, it eventually got her to the hotel's entrance. But once out on the street, she had even more troubles because did not know how to get back to the LA Cafe. She had walked to the hotel with the customer but was not yet sufficiently acquainted with the area to know how to get back.

Anyway, the LA Cafe is definitely a fun place to meet and talk with people.

i heard this place has closed recently... Any other FL bars in Manila?

amazing that nobody has info.. i just checked LA Cafe and it IS re-opened as of this week.

Enjoy

Thats good to hear. I love that place!!!

Whats the best hotel to stay near this joint?
I have seen a few, anyone ever stay at the Tropicana Apartment-Hotel?

I went here, and wasn't very impressed. I'd say that the hustle factor here is higher than in smaller, local bars that I've tried. One beauty tried to convince me that P20,000 was the going rate for LT!! Also, two of the girls at the bar looked like... well, i don't think they should be allowed to DRINK let alone do anything else...

I'm not coming back here.

VIsited there on 4-20-07 first time at about 1000 am. Suprisingly there were quite a few girls,,, and several guys all of whom were getting drunk. Had coffee and 3 girls came up immediately ages ranged from 21-38. Left went to Robinsons mall. Came back and visited Amazonia they had a lunch buffet.... think it was 195p... one of the girls from LA Cafe sauntered in.... noticed a few others there 2. It was deader than LAC.... later had appointment with a condo salesperson at Robinsons..so after that ended now it was around 1530 and LAC was going strong. back to back babes and lots of customers...the one who had followed me to Amazonia was back..her story she had been working since 9pm the nite before.... anyhow... she was wanting to go with me..but really did not interest me. Bought her lunch at Amazonia..and a drink in LAC..but left her there at the time the place was really filling up with people around 1700. Worth a look but "up 2 u " in what you find.

Seems Mayor Lim is at it again. Big bust in LA Cafe. Many arrested. 18 minors. Could be gone for good this time.

I heard that LA cafe is closed? Anyone know what happened and where the action is now? LA was one of the best freelance action in Asia, too bad if it's closed.

Manila - Police Raided LAC - Jun 17, 2010

Thur, Jun 17, 2010, 10:30 pm.

A friend told me that he heard LA Cafe was raided by the police on Thursday, June 17, 2010, 10:30 pm. About 200 girls were arrested, including waitresses, for rehabilitation.

Unaware of the raid, I visited LAC on Friday, a little after 9 pm. I was showing an old friend, a fellow monger who stopped his wild ways when he married, the infamous LAC. I noted to him that we were lucky to find an empty table and chairs near the pool table in the front room (ground floor). Also, I noted that it was unusual to find the door to the second floor closed. Finally, I noted that there were fewer girls than usual, but there were still many for selection.

Why the raid? I do not know. But, consider that in the 1990s, Mayor Alfredo Lim shut down the expat clubs in Ermita, except for ktv's. When he was re-elected in 2006, two clubs in Ermita had go-go girls on stage and one closed down (old Butterfly club) and other removed its stage and go-go girls and changed its name (old Jurassic, later Stringfellows, now LA Annex). He was elected again in May-June 2010. Some people said that hardly anyone knew that the recent elections included the office of Mayor of Manila, which Alfredo Lim won.

-------

Sun, Jun 20, 2010 - LAC open and crowded

Lot of the old female faces were not around.

Instead there were a lot of new females.

Some guys were speculating that the LAC owner wanted the older females removed and requested the police to raid the place.

A few girls said that their friends who were taken away by the police were not told by the police why they were arrested but had to pay 1,500 pesos to be released. But, they said that was not different from when police stopped them while walking home at night and extorting them for money.

Someone said that he heard that not only LA Cafe was raided, but at the same time so were LA Annex, Amazonia, and Butterfly.

However, on Sunday evening I went over to Amazonia and it was very quiet as usual. A bartenderess told me that she was working the night that LAC was raided and there was no raid on Amazonia.

------

Mon, Jun 21, 2010

On Monday night, I was at Cafe 28. A waitress there said that she heard other girls said that LAC would be raided at 11 pm that night.

------

Tue, Jun 22, 2010, 12 noon.

In the afternoon, a friend informed me that Mayor Alfredo Lim, himself, with 30 policemen in 10 police vehicles and up to 15 vans to carry people away, raided LA Cafe and closed it at 12 noon. The word was that the Mayor wanted 7 million pesos, that is over US $150,000.

In the early evening, I visited the following:
-- G Point. More girls than usual, but the place was not crowded like it frequently has been after 11 pm when a band is playing.
-- Butterfly Bar. More customers than usual, mostly shooting pool. Lot of girls, but nearly all appeared to be waitresses.
-- Amazonia Bar. More customers than usual, but the place seemed very quiet. More girls than usual for this bar, but not as many as G Point.
-- LA Cafe. Closed. A few girls were standing on the other side of Del Pilar Street and I recognized them as older cafe regulars.
-- LA Cafe Annex. Closed.

I walked from Del Pilar Street to Adriatico Street.
-- Acasha (formerly Skorski). Closed since a week earlier. No one seems to know why.

However, I noticed that there were some policemen checking out a ktv and afterwards patrolling the sidewalks. Unusual because none have been around, especially on foot and at night.

This could be related to a news item in the Wednesday paper. It said that a gang of four Filipino men, of which one was recognized as former police officer, robbed a messenger of 1.5 million pesos (that is about US $33,000) and killed him. The messenger was carrying the money into a money exchange place in the Hyatt Hotel.

Or, the policemen could be looking for places similar to LA Cafe. Of course, there is currently NO place in Manila similar to LA Cafe.

First, it was a 24-hour business.

Second, it was a friendly meeting grounds for freelancer females and men from many countries, including the Philippines.

Third, it was a magnet; why? I am not sure why it caught on as a meeting place. Price for beer was higher than many nearby bars, and happy hours ended about 7:45 pm instead of the advertised 8 pm. Kitchen served big platter of food, but there were reports of roach infestation. Waitress service was slow. Pool tables had worn surface covering that caused non-level table. Floor was uneven and torn up in a few areas. Men toilets were cramp and unclean. Most females were unattractive, desperate for money, and/or overly aggressive. A few females looked like she-males. But, the place had an air of fun and friendliness.

======================

Interesting statements from web news articles about LA Cafe:

waitresses, but are also considered as victims of forced labor and human trafficking.

prostitutes, will be "rehabilitated" and provided with alternative livelihood

similar raids will also be conducted nationwide.

rescued Thursday night 251 women, including 18 minors, from a suspected prostitution house fronting as a restaurant

can be sex partners for a fee ranging from P2,500 to P4,000

Eighteen GROs were verified to be minors based on dental ageing conducted by dentists of the Office of the Mayor

International Justice Mission wrote to Lim to complain about the bar

Lim, meanwhile, ordered his men to make sure that the bar does not reopen even under a new name or business entity.

direct all station commanders to stop similar establishments from operating in their areas.

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http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=585634&publicationSubCategoryId=65

Sex workers rescued

By Nestor Etolle (The Philippine Star) Updated June 19, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Combined operatives of the Manila Police District and the Department of Justice rescued Thursday night 251 women, including 18 minors, from a suspected prostitution house fronting as a restaurant in Ermita, Manila.

The operation was ordered by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim following reports of alleged sex trafficking, exploitation and abuse of minor women at the LA Café, an inexpensive restaurant at M.H. del Pilar, corner Salas streets in Ermita frequented by foreigners looking for cheap sex.

Surveillance operation showed that prostitution is rampant in LA Café wherein female employees of the restaurant openly pimp women guest relations officers (GROs) for sex on the second floor, according to MPD director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay. GROs in the place can be sex partners for a fee ranging from P2,500 to P4,000 depending on their age, Magtibay said. Pimps receive a percentage of the sex fee which increases if the foreigner takes the girl out of the restaurant.

LA Café reportedly serves only soft drinks, beer and cheap foods with no girlie shows, thus escaping police arrest.

However, Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, chairman of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) of the Department of Justice, received reports that trafficking and exploitation of women is rampant at the cafe, prompting the agency to coordinate with the MPD to stop the illegal activities at the place. Retired Col. Jess Kabigting, who serves as consultant of IACAT-DOJ, was present during in the entire operation.

The agency has vowed to conduct sustained anti-human trafficking operations nationwide following reports released by the US State Department that the Philippines has shown no significant improvement in its record of combating human trafficking and has remained on the tier 2 watchlist of problem nations.

Inspector Albert San Jose, chief of the MPD’s Special Task Group, identified the arrested LA Café personnel as Emelinda Viray, 34, manager; Grace Perez, 34, operations manager; Rodalyn Taja, 34; Geraldine Ronquillo, 24, supervisor; Lilia Montanilla, 24, waitress; Carla Serrano, 51; manager; and Nora Jabelosa, 34.

Eighteen GROs were verified to be minors based on dental ageing conducted by dentists of the Office of the Mayor, according to Chief Inspector Anita Araullo who heads the MPD’s Women and Children Desk.

One of the minors, 17-year-old Jenny, told The STAR that she and the other minors were recruited by a certain “Randy Panganiban,” who promised to send them abroad after undergoing training on customer relations at the LA Café. She admitted going out with foreigners for P2,500.

The seven personnel, including the owner, Anselmo Candado who escaped arrest, will be charged with qualified trafficking and violation of the anti-child abuse law, according to Araullo.

Lim ordered yesterday the immediate closure and revocation of permit to operate of the LA Café.

----------

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/193502/philippines-remains-on-us-human-trafficking-watch-list

While the Philippines retained its previous ranking in the human trafficking report, seven other Asian countries made it to the list for the first time this year.

Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as Afghanistan, Brunei, Laos and Maldives, were included in the human trafficking watch list for the first time after these countries reportedly failed to prevent its women from being forced into prostitution in other foreign nations.

Like the Philippines, all seven Asian countries were given the “Tier 2 watch list" rank.

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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100619-276483/Lim-orders-closure-of-Manila-bar

Lim orders closure of Manila bar

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted 06/19/2010

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has ordered the immediate closure of a bar in Malate where over 200 women, including minors, were rounded up Thursday night following reports that the establishment was used as a front for prostitution.

Ordered closed down was L.A. Café located at the corner of M.H. Del Pilar and Salas Streets in Malate, including its annex just across the street.

Lim’s order was based on a recommendation made by Manila social welfare chief Jay dela Fuente, who said that several minors were found working in the establishment.

Dela Fuente said that charges of qualified human trafficking and child abuse were filed against the managers of the bar identified as Emelinda Viray, Rodalyn Taja and Grace Perez; supervisor Lilia Montanilla; and Carla Serrano and Nora Abellosa, who allegedly served as pimps.

Prior to last Thursday's raid, the International Justice Mission wrote Lim to complain about the operations of the L.A. Café which it claimed was engaged in prostitution, catering mainly to foreign customers and employing even minors.

Following surveillance operations, the raid was conducted by teams of city and police officials, the Department of Justice.

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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100622-277046/Lim_closes_bar_said_to_be_employing_sex_workers

Lim closes bar said to be employing sex workers

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted 06/22/2010

MANILA MAYOR ALFREDO Lim ordered city and police officials to go after the owners of a bar in Malate which he personally shut down Tuesday following reports that it was being used as a front for prostitution.

Lim also told the officials to file charges against Anselmo Candado, who was reportedly acting as a dummy for the owners of L.A. Cafe located at the corner of R. Salas and M. H. del Pilar Streets.

According to the mayor, he had information that the real owners of the bar were Australians John Thorpe and Christer Bigander. He asked Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Rodolfo Magtibay to verify this and to file charges against the two foreigners.

Lim earlier ordered the closure of the bar based on the recommendation of Manila department of social welfare (DSW) chief Jay dela Fuente who said that several women, including minors, were working in the establishment as sex workers.

Dela Fuente said that charges for violation of Republic Act 9208 (qualified human trafficking) and Republic Act 7610 (antichild abuse law) had been filed against the alleged managers of the bar identified as Emelinda Viray, Rodalyn Taja and Grace Perez; supervisor Lilia Montanilla; and Carla Serrano and Nora Abellosa, who reportedly served as pimps.

Last Thursday, authorities rounded up over 200 women, including minors, during a raid on the establishment after the International Justice Mission wrote to Lim to complain about the bar which it claimed was engaged in prostitution.

Lim, meanwhile, ordered his men to make sure that the bar does not reopen even under a new name or business entity. He also asked Magtibay to direct all station commanders to stop similar establishments from operating in their areas.

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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100626-277589/Bar-owner-files-complaint-vs-Manila-mayor

Bar owner files complaint vs Manila mayor

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted 06/26/2010

THE OWNER OF A BAR IN MALATE, MANIla, which was shut down by the city government on Tuesday following reports that it was being used as a front for prostitution, Friday filed a civil complaint against Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Anselmo Candado, owner and operator of L.A. Cafe at the corner of R. Salas and M.H. del Pilar Streets filed a complaint for mandamus and damages in the Manila Regional Trial Court against Lim, saying he was not accorded due process when the mayor ordered the closure.

Also named defendant in the case was secretary to the mayor, lawyer Rafaelito Garayblas, who reportedly signed the closure order.

Apart from Candado, the other plaintiffs were his employees Eve Loro and Julius Cesar Lorenzo.

Raids

Candado cited a 2002 Supreme Court ruling declaring Lim’s raids on girlie joints as illegal.

“Lim’s zeal in his campaign against prostitution is commendable. However, there is no excusing Lim for arbitrarily closing down, without due process of law, the business operations of Bistro Pigalle Inc. (the club’s owner),” part of the SC ruling which Candado cited in his complaint.

Candado claimed that the city officials’ move constitutes a violation of his right to operate as mandated and confirmed by a business permit and license to operate.

“Such closure was effected against L.A. Cafe without the benefit of any notice or hearing to explain its side of the incident,” he said in his complaint. “This despite the fact that plaintiffs are qualified to open the establishment as they have complied with all the requisites required of them.”

“Verily, defendants’ acts encroached upon the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs to due process, life, liberty, property and the right to engage in a lawful calling. Such closure order transgressed permissible constitutional boundaries and has become legally infirm,” Candado added.

The businessman asked the court to issue a writ of mandamus to prevent city officials from further interfering with the exercise and enjoyment of his rights.

He also asked the court to order the city officials to pay him at least P400,000, representing the damages he suffered “due to the wanton and malevolent” closure of the establishment.

According to him, L.A Cafe, which employs over a hundred people, has gross sales of at least P40 million a year.

Lim’s order to close down the establishment was based on the recommendation of Manila department of social welfare chief Jay dela Fuente who claimed that several women, including minors, were hired as sex workers in the establishment.

One week prior to the bar’s closure, authorities rounded up over 200 persons, mostly women and including minors, after the International Justice Mission (IJM) wrote Lim complaining about the bar which it claimed was engaged in prostitution.

But Candado stressed that while his rights cannot be denied, the rights of his more than a hundred employees were also put at risk.

“At present, these employees are without any income and suffering from arbitrary acts of the very person who has sworn to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected,” he said.

Comment

The Inquirer tried to reach Lim and Garayblas for comment, but was told that they were attending meetings.

Speaking on their behalf, Lim’s chief of staff, Ric de Guzman, said that the closure order was a result of a legal operation by the authorities.

“There was a complaint from the IJM regarding sex trade in the area. Surveillance was conducted prior to the raid, which proved that the information was correct—that there was indeed a violation of Republic Acts 9208 (qualified human trafficking) and 7610 (antichild abuse law),” De Guzman told Inquirer.

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http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/266711/malate-bar-owners-face-raps

Malate Bar Owners Face Raps

y LEONARD D. POSTRADO
July 13, 2010, 5:39pm

The managers of a bar in Malate, Manila, which Mayor Alfredo Lim recently ordered to be closed for allegedly being used as a front for prostitution, are now facing charges in court for allegedly forcing two women to work as prostitutes for their foreign patrons.

LA Cafe bar managers Lilia Montilla and Grace Perez were charged with qualified trafficking and child prostitution respectively before the court following the recommendation made by Assistant City Prosecutor Sharon M. Alamada-Magayanes.

Magayanes likewise recommended a P200,000 bail for each of the accused.

The cases against Montilla and Perez stemmed from a complaint filed at the Manila Police District (MPD) by two teenage girls alleging that the L.A. Café was engaged in prostitution and catering mainly to foreign customers and employing even minors.

In her resolution, Magayanes said the two accused tried to exploit the two girls by forcing them to work as prostitutes last June 10.

For their part, the respondents claimed that they could not be engaged in human trafficking as the victims were not inside the bar under the pretext of domestic or overseas employment or training or apprenticeship.

But Magayanes, in recommending the filing of cases against the two accused, explained that receiving the victims in the bar, showing them around the establishment, orienting them on how the business of prostitution works and how they will divide the earnings between themselves “are very much indicative of the intent to exploit and prostitute” the two.

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For "OPEN LETTER TO - Honorable Harry K. Thomas, Jr, American Ambassador to the Philippines,
The Chairman, Commission of Human Rights, Philippines, Ms. Elzadia, USAID Philippines and
Mr. Roger Carlson, USAID Philippines."

See www.harrythehorse .com August 2010 issue.

MANILA BAY CAFE - New Club or old? - 8-27-2010

A friend sent me a flash text on Friday, August 27, 2010. LA Cafe had just re-opened as Manila Bay Cafe.

Sunday, two days later, I visited MBC, about 7 pm.

It was dead, unlike the former LAC at the same hour on Sunday. It had rained hard for about an hour and was now to a sprinkle, which could have explained the relatively few customers inside.

There were nobody in the first floor back room, which was usually reserved Sunday evenings for a local golf club and closed to non-club members, and upstairs, except for a few staff. The first floor bar and pool table area had about 20 female customers and about 10 male customers. Otherwise, the interiors looked like it was unchanged in any way decor-wise.

I waited for about five minutes looking for a waitress. The menu had a masking tape covering the name, except for Club. On the masking tape was written "M.B." The menu showed the same prices as before for a San Miguel pilsen beer, 75 pesos during happy hours and 110 pesos for regular price. I saw no waitress. I gave up waiting.

I walked in the light rain sprinkle to Amazonia Bar.

Inside there were about 40 female customers and about 20 male customers. Slightly fewer customers than its usual Sunday evening, post-LAC closing. Prior to LAC closing, Amazonia used to be a dead club. A week ago, Amazonia put up a sign outside that said, opened 24 hours.

Inside Amazonia, more girls present themselves to me than in the former LA Cafe. I attribute this change of behavior to the lower interior lights of Amazonia. In low lights, they cannot see how far my looks are distant from youthful handsomeness; likewise, I cannot see how far their appearance is distant from my dream girls.

Beer price in Amazonia is competitive. A San Miguel pilsen beer cost 60 pesos during happy hours and 120 pesos for regular price. Even better, a bucket of six beers on ice ordered during happy hours cost 240 pesos. Also, a customer can order a beer during happy hours, paying happy hour price, and have the beer placed on reserve for drinking after happy hour is over. Note though that both LA Cafe and Amazonia set their clocks about 15 minutes fast, so happy hours ending at 8 pm actually ends about 7:45 pm. But, the DJ announces a warning that happy hours will end soon, and a waitress will usually inform each customer face-to-face of the happy hours ending soon.

Another advantage that Amazonia has is that it does not charge customers for its live band, which starts about 9 pm or 10 pm.

By the way, G Point has changed its female customer policy again. After LA Cafe was shut down, its policy was no unescorted female could enter the bar. About a week ago, I noticed that unescorted females were allowed back into the bar. A female manager confirmed the policy change. I told her that the policy change was good, because I thought the bar was turning gay.

Oh, yes, G Point has been giving a free shooter to each customer about every half hour to one hour. The shooter is usually a liquer, like clear creme de menthe.

Yes, Ermita is slowly returning to normal, although the freelancer females are fewer in number than in the L.A. Cafe heydays and the current freelancers do not appear to be rehabilitated at all.

Thanks for all that info. I will be in Malate from Sep 23 through 27 and hope to explore the scene. That all depends on what develops with a couple other girls that I plan to meet.

Somebody needs to do a major update on Manila.

What are the geographic limits of mayor Lim's reach? Is he fucking with Burguos and EDSA too?

Why aren't there any photos posted from inside EDSA? All I have seen is a few exterior photos.

P Burgos Street is in Makati and EDSA Entertainment Complex is in Pasay City. Makati and Pasay are separate cities with their own councils and mayor, I believe. They both are part of Metro Manila, but not Manila proper which is where Lim is Mayor. There are 16 cities that make up Metro Manila.

You will be patted down upon entering the EDSA Entertainment Complex, so no pictures. They have a strict no camera policy. If you do take photo inside on your camera phone, do it very discreetly.

Returned from Manila earlier this week and wanted to update everyone on the status of the LA Cafe. Now it is the Manila Bay Club. Went there 3 times. One with a girl that I barfined from the Zamba Club at EDSA complex. She had a friend that was in the band playing that night. The other 2 times were on a Friday night and Sunday night. Each of those times it was horrible. The top rated girl was a 5. Upstairs where the band plays there may have been 7 girls total. Downstairs I took a walk around the bar and the pool table and saw absolutely no girl that I would take out of the bar. My friend from Manila who seems to know what went on with LA Cafe indicated that there were alot of complaints about girls ripping their customers off at the hotel. Also they found some type of drugs during the raid and that was the deal breaker.

Manila Bay Club(LA Cafe) is mentioned in 2009/08 Paulyvegas - Angeles City, August 2009, See How You Are!

Photo: Mirror - La Cafe 24

As others have mentioned, this is the old LA Cafe, and it's exactly the same as the old place, for better and for worse.

Beers now cost 120 pesos, you sign each drink chit as you go.

There are two distinct sections, Downstairs and Upstairs, upstairs is the place to be in the evenings, though you pay 80 pesos to escape the riffraff section. Downstairs was jam-packed with kind of iffy freelancers at 11:30 PM mid-week, so crowded there were no seats available and tough to move around. The worse looking/older the girl, the more aggressive they were. The relative hotties get more aloof based on their attractiveness.

Upstairs was not crowded, plenty of Korean customers, even mid-week. The upstairs girls sat at tables in packs, with most of them not having anything to drink in front of them. Eye contact was like a game with them, and they were far, far less aggressive than the girls downstairs. They seemed happy to sit around and smoke and wait for the prey to come to them.

I'm guessing here, based on internet reports, but I'd guess that the upstairs girls would ask 2K short time and probably try to hold that union line. I'd probably bite at ~1300, and struggle to find takers. 1500 would probably be easier. I'd bet long time would be an iffy proposition. Downstairs, I'd bet 1000 pesos short time would make one a WHALE. Not sure why one would want long time with a MBC girl, they're pretty hardcore.

There is a live band nightly upstairs, plus a less crowded pool table. The night we were there, the sound system was horrible and the band totally sucked, like bad karaoke level sucked. This was rare, in my experience, as PI cover bands are usually really good.

A tip to beware of, be very careful with the logistics of leaving the venue with an Ermita girl. The parasite taxi mafia outside the bars are famous for setups with the cops busting people for being with a prostitute. I've heard that taking separate cabs or having the girl meet you at the hotel is the safer move.

Manila Bay Cafe is mentioned in 2014/02 Greengrasser - Manila Situation Report, January 2014

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quote:

MANILA BAY CAFE , Del Pilar and Salas streets. Formerly, L.A. Cafe. Basically the same as before, except SMB (San Miguel pilsen beer) costs 85 pesos at happy hours (up to 8 pm). Best times for a large number of freelance girls are Thur - Sat, after 8 pm.

Policy of one lady drink for 350 pesos prior to escorting a girl does not seem to be strictly enforced; but this might depend on your waitress. To avoid this policy, exit separately and meet your girl outside the bar 50 feet away. Exiting separately will also help you to avoid predatory taxi drivers and overly-helpful Filipinos lurking outside the door.

Regular prices for a customer are 120 pesos for a beer and 220 pesos for a standard drink. Draft beer price is slightly less. San Miguel light beer costs more at most Manila bars.

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Manila Bay Cafe is mentioned in 2014/03 Likemflat - It's More Fun in Manila

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quote:

I really like MBC, but then I like freelance bars in general. It's a crazy place that everyone should visit at least once. The girls range from 1's to some really solid 9's if you look hard. The hottest girls seem to hang out either upstairs or in the room down the hallway to the right from the main bar area. The hottest girls there seem a bit standoffish or cold at first. Often they congregate around the Korean guys. One girl clued me in to the rule of three-she said the Korean guys have 3-inch dicks, they pay 3000 pesos and they are done in 3 minutes. (This was told to me by a girl, I'm not making any statements about the sexual prowess of Korean guys, since I have no first-hand information on the topic.) If there are no Koreans around, these a-list girls congregate in groups and sit around talking amongst themselves.

My first day or two I ended up somewhat frustrated. I pulled sweet girls, but not the hottest ones. I sat there turning down the constant stream of ugly girls and ended up sitting alone. And it's like any real club, the hot girls aren't going to approach a loser sitting alone. After a few days I made friends with some of the bartenders (some of whom are really hot, BTW). I also got over my fear of rejection and would just approach the groups of hot girls to chat them up. They are real people, not automated hookers, so if you're fun and interesting and if you engage them in conversation, you can pull any girl in the place and you'll have a great time.

I was staying at the Best Western La Corona down the street, but I decided I wanted to limit, somewhat, the number of girls I brought back. Not because of any rules at the hotel, the hotel was fine with girls. But I knew some of my work colleagues might occasionally be at or near my hotel, and I didn't want any crazy girls around. So I generally read the situation and if I thought a girl might be crazy, high-maintenance or a problem, I took her to a short-time hotel.

If you walk out of MBC and turn to your left, a few doors down there is a pretty nice hourly hotel. It's almost next door, there is a hallway that leads into the building and no sign. The girls mostly know the place, though a few of the newbie girls don't. It was 400 pesos for three hours. The place was very clean and I had no problems. Went over time once or twice and no one cared. Once my girl and I fell asleep and I think we were there for five hours, no problem. It was late though and not busy, not sure if this is standard procedure. I also tipped and flirted with the cute girl at the desk.

Most of the girls at MBC will ask for 2-3000 pesos. The hot ones will at least. But almost all will take 2000 and many will take 1500 if you're really nice to them, at least in my experience. Again, I'm not too old, not too ugly, they liked my tattoos, etc. So YMMV. But I'm not rich and not extremely good looking either. So I think my experiences were normal.

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Lots of information here already about LA café, because it's a late night venue nomadsphilippines says to watch out for girls coming straight of the streets. Taxi drivers will try and take you to a casa or KTV they don't get commission here, my only complaint is it's a shame you don't get the line up of attractive young woman like you do in the Thermae in Bangkok.

LA Cafe is mentioned in 2018/07 Paulyvegas - The 40-Kilo Club

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