Drink Events and Guest Bartender Shifts to Catch in Manila This February 2025

5 minute read

Bizarre in Poblacion I Photo by Star Sabroso

Looking for a great night out in Manila this February? Manila bars are gearing up for a busy month, welcoming top bartenders from award-winning bars in the region. Be sure to mark your calendars for bar takeovers and guest shifts around the metro. 

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1) Keefer Bar Vancouver at The Curator

When: February 4, Tuesday 
Time: 9pm onwards
Where: The Curator, 134 Legaspi Street, Makati 

Filipino bartender Zenon Santos from Keefer Bar, an apothecary-inspired cocktail bar in Vancouver and No. 49 on North America’s 50 Best Bars, will take over Manila’s award-winning bar, The Curatorranked No. 33 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024on February 4. Starting at 9pm, Zenon will be behind the stick crafting signature drinks using Asian flavors. 

2) Robbie Milan of The Secret Mermaid Singapore at Fat Cat

When: February 5, Wednesday  
Time: 8pm to 11pm
Where: Fat Cat, Makati Central Square, Legazpi Village, Makati 

 

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Robbie Milan from the popular Singapore speakeasy-style cocktail bar, The Secret Mermaid, brings new excitement and energy to Makati Central Square’s hidden jazz bar, Fat Cat, as he takes over the bar for one night only on February 5. Sip on Robbie’s handcrafted drinks and enjoy the bar’s laid-back, jazzy atmosphere. They have limited seating, so make sure to book ahead to secure your seats. 

3) The Opposites’ Antonio Lai and Samuel Kwok at The Back Room

When: February 6, Thursday  
Time: 7pm onwards
Where: The Back Room, 30th Street, Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, Taguig 

Toast to the night I Photo by Tatum Ancheta
The Back Room I Photo by Tatum Ancheta

Hong Kong’s award-winning bartenders Antonio Lai and Samuel Kwok from pioneering bar Quinary (ranked No. 26 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024) and one of the city’s latest hangout spots, The Opposites, are heading to Shangri-La BGC’s hidden bar, The Back Room.

Antonio, renowned for his innovative approach to bartending, creates imaginative cocktails that incorporate playful molecular mixology techniques, transforming familiar flavors into extraordinary experiences. Meanwhile, Samuel, who takes pride in his mastery of classic cocktails, offers straightforward yet elegantly refined creations. Swing by on February 6 as these two incredibly talented mixologists whip up drinks for discerning drinkers. 

4) Hidden City Taiwan at The Spirits Library

When: February 11, Tuesday  
Time: 8pm onwards
Where: The Spirits Library, 4963 Guerrero, Makati 

Enjoy booze in a brooding atmosphere I Photo by Star Sabroso
The Spirits Library I Photo by Star Sabroso

Taiwan’s cinema-themed bar, Hidden City, located in Da’an District in Taipei is heading to Poblacion’s popular hangout spot, The Spirits Library, the purveyor of rare bottles and bar paraphernalia in Metro Manila. Be sure to catch Hidden City’s resident bartenders, Perry Chang and Kevin, as they will be slinging their signature cocktails behind the bar from 8pm onwards. 

5) Neil Hsu of Speedrun by VG Taipei at Raion

When: February 11, Tuesday  
Time: 8pm onwards
Where: Raion, 455 P. Guevarra Street, Barangay Maytunas, San Juan, Manila 

A quiet night out I Photo by Tatum Ancheta
Raion I Photo by Tatum Ancheta

San Juan cafe and cocktail bar Raion is welcoming Neil Hsu, the bar manager of the popular Taiwan retro arcade-themed bar, Speedrun by VG Taipei. Catch Neil behind the stick on February 11 and get to taste signature drinks, each crafted with precision and flair.

6) Bar Pine Taipei’s Ariel Hou at The Curator

When: February 12, Wednesday 
Time: 8pm to midnight
Where: The Curator, 134 Legaspi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati 

Enjoy handcrafted cocktails I Photo courtesy of The Curator
Inside the award-winning bar The Curator I Photo courtesy of The Curator

Stylish Taipei hotspot Bar Pine, named after the old pine trees that had grown inside the space, is flying to Manila for a one-night guest shift at Legazpi bar The Curator. Bar Pine’s founder and head bartender, Ariel Hou, will seduce the local Pinoy crowd with an impressive lineup of crafted cocktails. Don’t be afraid to go bottoms up with her boozy creations.  

7) Taiwan’s 90s Dining Bar at Bizarre

When: February 13, Thursday
Time: 9pm to midnight
Where: Bizarre, 925 Algier, corner Jacobo, Poblacion, Makati 

Bizarre in Poblacion I Photo by Star Sabroso
The 10-seater bar at Bizarre I Photo by Star Sabroso

Retro-themed bar 90s Dining Bar in Taiwan is taking over Poblacion’s premier degustation bar, Bizarre, on February 13. 90s Dining Bar’s founder, Zack Chang, will be slinging drinks starting at 9pm, promising an elegant evening of curated cocktails. Expect a seamless blend of art and culinary science in every sip.

8) Reka:Bar’s Joel Poon and Nick Choo at Bizarre

When: February 22, Saturday 
Time: 9pm to midnight
Where: The Bizarre, 925 Algier, corner Jacobo, Poblacion, Makati

Bizarre, Poblacion
Bizarre in Poblacion I Photo by Star Sabroso

Joel Poon and Nick Choo, the masterminds behind Kuala Lumpur’s award-winning Reka:Bar (ranked No. 41 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list), are flexing their mixology skills behind the bar at Bizarre on February 22. Don’t expect any safe bets as Joel and Nick aim to push boundaries and take you on a journey of incredible sips and flavors.

9) Fat Cat 2nd Anniversary Block Party

When: February 23, Sunday 
Time: 8pm onwards
Where: Fat Cat, Makati Central Square, Legazpi Village, Makati

A cocktail to soothe the spirit I Photo by Tatum Ancheta
Fat Cat’s savory whisky sour Let’s Get Lost I Photo by Tatum Ancheta

Come party and let loose as jazz bar Fat Cat turns two. Join the crowd at the fun block party, which starts at 8pm, and enjoy endless cocktail specials courtesy of Pernod Ricard. Expect a fun vibe at the bar, complete with groovy DJ sets throughout the night.

10) Toast to Solaire’s 12 Years

When: February 28 to March 16 
Time: Visit sec.solaireresort.com for updates on schedule
Where: Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Entertainment City, 1 Aseana Ave, Parañaque

Shingo Gokan and Craig Swindell
Shingo Gokan and Craig Swindell I Photo courtesy of Solaire

To celebrate its 12th anniversary, Solaire Resort Entertainment City invites award-winning Japanese mixologist Shingo Gokan (proprietor of bar’s SG Club in Tokyo, The Odd Couple in Shanghai, Gokan in Hong Kong), sake master brewer Akihiro Igarashi, tea master He Jia, and global specialist for The Dalmore whisky, Craig Swindell, to collaborate with renowned chefs Jun Yukimura, Sun Kim, and Heinz Beck for extraordinary dining experiences at the hotel’s finest establishments. Catch these masters from February 28 until March 16 at Solaire’s Yakumi, Waterside, Finestra, Baccarat Room & Bar, and Whisky Bar. Shingo will take over the Baccarat Room and Bar for a one-night guest shift, and whisky lovers can join Craig Swindell’s whisky masterclass on March 15 at 4pm at the Whisky Bar.

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  • Kristel Dacumos

    Kristel is a freelance editor and writer with over 18 years of experience in media, public relations, and publishing. She has worked on more than 15 books and has contributed to various publications, including ABS-CBN Books, ABS-CBN Creative Publishing Inc. (CPI), Philstar.com, Tatler, Manila Times, and many others.

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  • Kay Arias

    Kay wears many hats, but makeup artistry is her primary creative passion. Beyond her work as a makeup artist, Kay is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She volunteers with Save Philippine Seas, where she contributes her skills to raise awareness about marine conservation, and participates in Weekend Wild Child, a program focused on reconnecting children with nature.

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