December 2, 2024

8 Attractions for Gamers and Geeks in Metro Manila

By: Melecio Martin G. Arranz IV

Once seen as something strange and niche, geek culture is now normalized as more people express their enthusiasm for their different interests. Whether it’s comics, anime, games, etc., there are many kinds of geeks who all want to be themselves and surrounded by like-minded peers.

If you’re looking for places to geek out, there are several attractions in Metro Manila. Love video games? Comic books? Tabletop and board games? These Metro Manila shops, cafes, and museums are the havens for you!

7 Gamer and Geek-Friendly Attractions in Metro Manila

There’s no need to hide your inner geek when you visit these places:

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1. Filbar’s

Address: 2/F Fairview Terraces (above Puregold), Maligaya Road corner Quirino Highway, Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City

Store hours: Mon to Fri: 11AM–9PM; Sat to Sun: 10AM–10PM

Website or social media:

• Website: https://www.filbars.com.ph/
• Online store: https://shop.filbars.online/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filbarsonline/ 
• Instagram: @filbarsonline

If you like comic books and other collectibles, then Filbar’s is the store for you. You can browse through several comics—plus, with Funko Pops on display, you can express your enthusiasm for your favorite fandom, no matter what.

The shop takes pre-orders on different items, so check out what’s coming and see if there’s a particular figure or statue you want to proudly show off in your house or condo. Filbar’s stores even sell figures of the Ateneo Blue Eagle or the De La Salle Green Archer so that you can rep your favorite UAAP team!

Filbar’s has multiple locations, so check out this webpage for all its stores and operating hours.

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2. Omniverse Museum

Address: Japan Town, 4F Glorietta, Ayala Center, Makati

Store hours: Mon to Fri: 10AM–9PM; Sat to Sun: 10AM–10PM

Website or social media:

• Website: https://www.amusements.global/omniversemuseum 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omniversemuseum/ 
• Instagram: @theomniversemuseum 

Ticket price: P1,499

A dream attraction for any geek is a museum with set pieces, figures on display, immersive activities, and information that tells you the science behind science fiction.

Omniverse Museum ticks all these boxes. It’s the personal collection of pop culture enthusiast Ryan Sison. He opened the attraction to share his enthusiasm for the fandoms he loves and encourage STEM learning from visitors. 

Inside, you can look at all his Star Wars statues, walk through the Great Hall of Hogwarts from Harry Potter, be face to face with Smaug from The Hobbit, and so much more.

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3. Neutral Grounds

Address: Ayala Malls Vertis North, Unit# R1-L3-003, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Store hours: Mon to Thurs: 11AM–9 PM; Fri-Sun: 11AM–10 PM

Website or social media: 

• Website: https://www.ngspiel.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neutralgrounds/ 

Neutral Grounds is the leading shop for board and card game geeks. It sells games and accessories like dice, card sleeves, and Vallejo and Citadel paint supplies for miniature enthusiasts.

It has been one of the leading retailers for Magic: The Gathering (MTG) for many years and takes pre-orders for all upcoming products. It also holds different events for the game, catering to all formats for all types of players. 

Aside from MTG, it also stocks games made locally, such as Bagani, Darna at Nawawalang Bato, and Plataporma.

4. Heroes Concept Store

Address: Unit B-6, 971 Building 6, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig

Store hours:  Sun-Thurs: 11AM–11PM; Fri-Sat: 11AM–12MN

Website or social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxiheroes/

Looking for life-size statues and busts to fill out your superhero collection? Heroes Concept Store’s got you. While the store carries smaller figures, its main selling point is the large statues of characters from Marvel, DC, Disney, and more. 

You can inquire in-store as to what pre-orders are coming up and see if anything can occupy a spot in your condo.

5. Gashapon Bandai Official Store

Address: 2/F, Mitsukoshi Mall, 7th Avenue, Taguig

Store hours: Mon-Sun: 11 AM–10 PM

Website or social media:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbophilippines/ 

If you’re a toy collector, the Gashapon Bandai Official store in Mitsukoshi Mall, BGC is a must-visit location for you. A gashapon is a toy vending machine that dispenses mystery toys enclosed in a spherical case – you don’t know what you’re going to get, adding to the excitement of the experience.

The store has 300 machines for different lines of collectibles. To get toys, customers purchase gachapon tokens, priced at ₱65 each, to load into the vending machines. Some machines require as few as only 2 tokens, while others require up to 5.

The Gashapon Bandai Official store is conveniently located at the podium of The Seasons Residences, a Japanese-inspired pre-selling condo. 

6. SideQuest Café + Hobby Lounge

Address:  3/F East Wing, Estancia, Capitol Commons, Pasig

Store hours: Mon-Thurs: 10AM–9PM; Fri-Sun: 10AM–10PM

Website or social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SideQuestPhilippines/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidequestph/

Food and board games are a great way to bond with your friends, and SideQuest Café + Hobby Lounge is one of the go-to places in Pasig City. 

They have a special weekday promo that lets you stay and play all day with no time limit by just 1 drink or beverage (per person)! You can bring your own games or rent from the board game café’s collection. The place is also pet friendly, so your furbaby can tag along for the fun.

SideQuest also sells miniatures, board games, figures, and other knick-knacks you can browse while eating. If you’re into wargaming, you’ll often see local community members playing on the tables set up outside. You can come up and say hi or ask them to teach you how to play.

Just a 15-minute walk or 8-minute drive away is The Grand Midori Ortigas, a relaxing, Zen-inspired pre-selling condo you can come home to after a long gaming session.

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7. The Dragonforge

Address:  Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

Store hours: Mon-Thurs: 10AM–9PM; Fri-Sun: 10AM–10PM

Website or social media:

• Website: https://dragonforgehobbies.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DragonforgeHobbies/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DragonforgePH/

Geeks in the University Belt in Katipunan can flock to the Dragonforge, a hobby shop like Neutral Grounds. Aside from board games and card games, it’s one of the official distributors for Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar. Other wargames in stock are Battletech and Bolt Action. 

If you’re a miniature painter, the shop has Citadel paints, the local brand Hiro, and Bosny spray primers.  

It often holds events for card games like Flesh and Blood and MTG and takes pre-orders for all the communities that congregate and play. Like SideQuest, you’ll usually find people playing within the store’s vicinity. 

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8. Pan de Amerikana Bakery & Restaurant

Address:  General Ordoñez corner Maroon Street, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City

Store hours: Mon: closed; Tues–Sun: 6AM–9PM

Website or social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PandeAmerikana/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pande.amerikana/

One of the oldest board games in the world is chess, and this restaurant celebrates this wholeheartedly. Not only is it a museum for different types of chess sets (including Star Wars, Shrek, and more), but it’s also a venue where you can play on a giant chessboard!

The resto also serves Filipino dishes and breads, including the eponymous Pan Amerikano. You can also take pictures of a life-size kalesa, a large bird nest, and other set pieces inside.

If you want to be a regular, consider getting a place at Siena Towers, an 8-minute drive away. After a nice meal and a chess game, you can come home and unwind in quiet comfort.

Geekdoms for the Geeks

With more geeks being proud of showing enthusiasm for their fandoms, more places are popping up to welcome them. These are just a few attractions you can visit, but communities in your area are ready to welcome you.

If you want to live close to your geek haven of choice, Federal Land has properties across Metro Manila. You can have all the comfort and convenience you need and still be able to bond with other members of your geek community.

Contact us today for more information.