Regina Troy Barrios

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Philippine Cocktail Week

<p>Manila’s nightlife is about to get a serious upgrade. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecurator_/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>The Curator</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/southbankcafelounge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Southbank Café  + Lounge</strong></a>, two of the Philippines’ most celebrated bars, are spearheading the nation’s first-ever <strong>Philippine Cocktail Week</strong>, slated for<strong> February 5 to 8, 2026</strong>. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746447607079PHCW.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">  Photo: Philippine Cocktail Week on Instagram</span></span></span></div><p>While details remain under wraps, the announcement alone is enough to set the stage for a seismic shift in the region’s cocktail culture. More than just a festival, this is a long-overdue spotlight on the world-class talent brewing in the Philippines who are ready to rival the best in Asia and beyond.</p><div><strong>A stage for Filipino mixology</strong></div><p>For decades, the local bar scene has been quietly but impressively evolving. Bars like <a href="https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/asia/the-list/the-curator.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Curator, a mainstay on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list since 2016</a>, and Southbank, which landed at 82 last year, have proven that Filipino bartenders can hold their own against global heavyweights. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9hFu_TTwtJ/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A456614.00000000006%2C%22ls%22%3A456116%2C%22le%22%3A456609.00000000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1239" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>The Curator, led by visionary David Ong, blends specialty coffee with craft cocktails. Southbank, under executive bartender Kevin Corales, pushes boundaries with creations like the umami-packed “Ramen not Ramen,” that reveal a culinary approach to mixology.</p><p>Despite these achievements, the Philippines has often played second fiddle to cocktail capitals like Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. But the upcoming Philippine Cocktail Week aims to change that—offering a bold platform for local bartenders to showcase their creativity and share the country’s unique perspective on mixology with the world.</p><div><strong>Learning from the region</strong></div><p>Look across the region, and it’s clear why a dedicated cocktail week is timely. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/klcwofficial/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW)</a>, launched in 2024 and back just last April, has quickly become a benchmark. Spanning five zones in the Klang Valley, KLCW featured guest shifts from global bars like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jiggerandponysg/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jigger &amp; Pony</a> (Singapore) and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/handshake_bar/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Handshake Speakeasy</a> (Mexico), alongside local talents at venues like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bartrigona/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bar Trigona</a> and JungleBird. Its Festival Village at APW Bangsar, complete with live music, masterclasses, and the KLCW Open cocktail competition, celebrates Malaysia’s rising star in the global bar scene.</p><p>Similarly, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sgcocktailfest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Singapore Cocktail Festival</a>, though paused in 2022, has long set the standard for fostering community and innovation, encouraging bars to push boundaries. </p><p>These events don’t just celebrate drinks—they elevate entire industries, spotlighting bartenders, suppliers, and hospitality teams while drawing international attention. Philippine Cocktail Week can be just as impactful. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIyZb9eJtdp/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A705629%2C%22ls%22%3A456116%2C%22le%22%3A456609.00000000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1191" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>The timing couldn’t be better. Manila’s cocktail scene is maturing, with a new generation of bartenders like Kiko Victor (Diageo World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2024) and Claude Delima (World Class Philippines 2022) pushing the envelope. The pandemic sparked a “revenge spending” mentality, with Filipinos craving elevated experiences, from dining to drinking. Meanwhile, the global stage is taking notice: The Curator’s consistent ranking on Asia’s 50 Best Bars and Southbank’s recent debut signal that the Philippines is no longer an underdog.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746448102608471820662_18477117532061059_7842310492020021389_n.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Kiko Victor, Diageo World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2024 | Photo: Diageo PH</span></span></span></div><p>David Ong, in a 2023 interview, emphasized the need for platforms to showcase Filipino talent, noting that while the country boasts world-class bartenders, they often lack visibility. Philippine Cocktail Week could be that platform, inviting international bars for guest shifts, much like KLCW, while celebrating local heroes.</p><p>While official details are still under wraps, the involvement of The Curator and Southbank promises a top-tier experience. Expect an event that’s both polished and welcoming—designed to delight cocktail connoisseurs and casual sippers alike.</p><p>So mark your calendars—Philippine Cocktail Week isn’t just about great drinks; it will be a bold statement that the Philippines deserves a spot on the global cocktail map. As Ong put it, the goal is to invite the world to “come and explore the Philippines.” Come February 2026, that invitation will be impossible to ignore.</p><div><em>Follow </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/philippinecocktailweek/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>@philippinecocktailweek</em></a><em> on Instagram for updates on Philippine Cocktail Week 2026.</em></div><div> </div>

<p>Manila’s nightlife is about to get a serious upgrade. The Curator and Southbank Café + Lounge, two of the Philippines’ most celebrated bars, are spearheading the nation’s first-ever <b>Philippine Cocktail Week</b>, slated for <b>February 5 to 8, 2026</b>. </p>

Manila’s nightlife is about to get a serious upgrade. The Curator and Southbank Café + Lounge, two of the Philippines’ most celebrated bars, are spearheading the nation’s first-ever Philippine Cocktail Week , slated for February 5 to 8, 2026 .

Breaking: The First-Ever Philippine Cocktail Week Is Coming in 2026

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Breaking: The First-Ever Philippine Cocktail Week Is Coming in 2026

Metro.Style Team

Published May 05, 2025 08:32 PM PHT

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