Cebu restaurants, hotels to be showcased in PH cocktail fiesta

After a successful run in Manila last year, the Philippine Cocktail Fiesta is heading to Cebu this week for its second edition, bringing together the best in the industry from both the country and in Asia. 

The festival will take place across Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Mactan from November 13 to 15, with more than 25 guest bar shifts and cocktail pairing experiences. There will also be special menus, bar takeovers, masterclasses, and industry gatherings. 

Beyond its cocktail programming, the event is seen to encourage visitors to experience the culinary offerings of Cebu, which is home to multiple Michelin-selected establishments. 

Local restaurants are working with visiting bartenders from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Manila, and India to execute cocktail pairing experiences. 

On November 13, AKA Mactan executive chef Masahiro Kinoshita will be joined by Tonic Liu of MALTAIN in Kaohsiung, drawing on their shared appreciation for Japanese drinking and dining culture. 

On the same day, Chef Marcel Ramos of Davos at Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan will welcome beverage manager Jon Bunoan and bartender Jay Brodit of Hong Kong’s Dara for a showcase of Filipino-inspired cocktails and local coastal cuisine. 

This will be followed by a collaboration on November 14. between head bartender Jonathan Matienzo of Manila’s The Grasshopper Bar and Chef Joanne Sakai of Balai Brunch by Cafe Plus in Mandaue City, combining Filipino comfort food with ingredient-driven cocktails. 

Completing the lineup for that day are Sidecar from New Delhi, represented by co-founder Yangdup Lama and head bartender Souvik Rana Lama, and Chef Chris Navarro of Anzani Restaurant for a pairing of Indian cocktails and new Mediterranean cuisine.

Aside from restaurants, hotels in Cebu will also get the spotlight, serving as accommodation and event venues throughout the Philippine Cocktail Fiesta.

Nustar Resort Cebu will serve as the festival’s official host partner, hosting the November 15 Bar Congress and Asia Icons closing celebration. 

Other participating properties include Shangri-La Mactan, Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa, Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan, and Chateau by The Sea.