Ready to go bar-hopping? Catch these Filipino bartenders who are currently helming bars all over the world in the country’s first ever three-day Cocktail Festival from 12 to 14 September.

Bartenders are stars not just in making cocktails but also great conversations on nights when your heart and mind carry heavy weight or when you just want to unwind after a long, busy day.

Mark your calendars because the Philippines' very first Cocktail Festival is here! The three-night celebration that will take place from 12 to 14 September in some of Manila’s iconic bars aims to highlight and recognise the Filipino cocktail scene and the tight-knit, fun-loving bartender community behind it.

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The festival features the trailblazers who have raised the country’s flag in the global bartending scene. Bringing their knowledge and skills in creating extraordinary cocktails, several mixologists are coming home and joining forces with local icons to make what might be your next go-to cocktail.

Whether you’re just looking for a nice little buzz or looking to drink the night away, you might not want to miss this festival. Cocktail enthusiasts can attend any of the 18 guest shifts being held across well-known bars in Makati CBD, Poblacion, and Bonifacio, sign up for a bar tour, or complete the experience with a cocktail passport to redeem exclusive Manila Cocktail Festival merchandise.

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The festival’s not just about drinking. Trade-focused panels will tackle topics on sustainability, service, and cocktail trends with a goal of providing an avenue for the people in the industry to exchange knowledge and experiences.

“We have come a long way since 2011 when one of the first speakeasy cocktail bars opened in the country. This year three bars were recognised in Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, with many more gems to be discovered, and we are so excited to now have a platform to celebrate the cocktail scene and encourage more people to visit these great bars,” said Kenneth Bandivas, On Trade Commercial Manager, William Grant & Sons.

 

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Get a taste of the most remarkable mixes and cocktails of the homecoming bartenders at these participating bars: 

Bonifacio Global City (12 September)

  • Versus Barcade
  • Samba
  • Osteria Daniele
  • The Backroom
  • Yes Please
  • Bank Bar

Makati CBD (13 September)

  • Edge at Discovery Primea
  • The Peninsula Manila
  • Mandalay
  • Rambla Salcedo
  • Curator
  • Proof

Poblacion (14 September)

  • Lampara
  • Agimat
  • Polilya
  • Buccaneers
  • The Spirits Library
  • Run Rabbit Run

Other ways you can join Manila's first ever Cocktail Festival:

Bar Tours

Purchase nightly bar tour tickets priced at 2,100php each or get a three-night packaged at a discounted price of 5,300php. This entitles consumers to a guided bar tour to four participating bars per night, priority bar seating, one cocktail per bar, limited edition MCF x Diyalogo Sticker pack, and tour service (where applicable).

Cocktail Passport

Consumers can visit five of the participating outlets during the festival, purchase one featured drink from each of the bars to complete the cocktail passport. Redeem a limited-edition merchandise for every completed passport. Cocktail Passports are free at any of the participating outlets from 12-14 September.

For more information, visit manilacocktailfestival.com and @manilacocktailfest on Instagram.

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