he Philippines is set to join Asia’s growing list of major cocktail events with the first-ever Philippine Cocktail Fiesta, a city-wide celebration of mixology running from November 17 to 23, 2025. Nearly 100 bars across Metro Manila — including Makati, BGC, Quezon City, San Juan, Marikina, and Alabang — will participate in the festival, which will spotlight Filipino bartending talent and creative collaborations with international bars.

The event follows a vibrant year of bar festivals across the region, including Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week, Penang Cocktail Week, Asia’s 50 Best Bars in Macau, and The World’s 50 Best Bars in Hong Kong. Manila now joins the regional circuit, with Solaire Resort Entertainment City as the official host venue for international guests and events.

Organized by DrinkCollectiv.com, the Philippines’ first drink-focused media platform, in collaboration with DBWY (Drinks Be With You), the Fiesta aims to showcase the country’s evolving cocktail culture and strengthen ties across Asia’s bartending community. “We’ve seen how events in Taiwan, Malaysia, and Thailand unite their bar scenes,” said Tatum Ancheta, founder of DrinkCollectiv.com and Festival Director. “It’s time to bring that same energy and collaboration to Manila.”

The name Cocktail Fiesta was chosen to reflect Filipino hospitality and community spirit. “Fiesta represents celebration and connection — it’s deeply rooted in our culture,” said Mic Flores, DBWY co-founder and Operations Manager of the Fiesta. “We wanted this event to feel uniquely Filipino — a gathering where everyone can come together, share, and celebrate our craft.”

Guest Shifts and Regional Highlights

Throughout the week, guest bartenders from across Asia will take over bars in Manila for exclusive shifts and pairing dinners. Participating local venues include The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, The Spirits Library, The Back Room, ReCraft, Buccaneers Rum & Kitchen, Southbank Café + Lounge, and The Grasshopper Bar, alongside visiting bars from Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Palawan, La Union, Cagayan de Oro, Siargao, and Davao.

The lineup includes global names such as Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone (Hong Kong), named International Bartender of the Year at the 2025 Spirited Awards; Yangdup Lama of Sidecar (India); and Antonio Lai of Quinary and The Opposites (Hong Kong). Other guest shifts will feature award-winning bars from Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list, including Lair (India), Penrose (Malaysia), Cat Bite Club (Singapore), Modern Haus (Indonesia), and Vender (Taiwan).

Cocktail Pairing Dinners

A series of collaborative dining experiences will pair Filipino and international talent. Highlights include Bar Leone’s five-course dinner at Solaire’s Finestra, Three X Co (Malaysia) pairing cocktails with Uma Nota, and Wing Lei Bar (Macau) teaming up with chef Sau del Rosario at Café Fleur. Additional events feature Nono Yu of The Han-Jia (Taiwan) at Three Dots, and India’s Mr. BarTrender (Nitin Tewari) partnering with Tribal Gourmet chef Tanisha Phanbuh at Solaire Resort North.

Industry Panels and Masterclasses

The Fiesta also includes a full schedule of masterclasses, brand talks, and panel discussions for bartenders and hospitality professionals. Topics range from local spirits such as lambanog and Philippine rum to creative mixology and bar entrepreneurship. Speakers include Aaron Aw of Destileria Limtuaco, Clayton Munar of Monin Asia, and Shallum Recto of Código 1530.

Panels will explore themes such as women in the bar industry, city bar culture, and the importance of local identity, featuring regional leaders like Amanda Wan (Three X Co), Minakshi Singh (Sidecar), and Rachel Tann (Asia’s 50 Best Bars).

The Fiesta Passport

Festivalgoers can explore the city’s participating venues through The Fiesta Passport, a guidebook offering one-week access to exclusive bar promotions, buy-one-get-one offers, and complimentary drinks. Priced at ₱1,800, the kit includes a canvas bag, stickers, and partner gifts from DrinkAid and Vita Coco.

The Philippine Cocktail Fiesta marks a milestone for the country’s bar scene, establishing Manila as one of Asia’s newest destinations for cocktail culture. As Ancheta summarized, “This is more than just a celebration — it’s a statement that the Philippines is ready to stand alongside Asia’s best.”