If there’s one thing we all love about the summer season, it’s definitely the open air events. There’s something about being outside as the sun goes down with live music playing in the background while you chit chat with friends. This festival delivered on all the things we look for when it comes to a festival. The Manila Gin Festival was held at Bonifacio Highstreet Amphitheater last April 21-22. If you were not able to attend, don’t worry because the Discovering Hospitality team was able to join in on the fun and take some pictures and videos to give you the scoop!
As the name suggests, it was all about gin! Think of all your favorite gin brands and then some! There was gin from all around the world. If you love to mix cocktails and enjoy the journey of taste testing then this kind of festival is right up your street. There were free taste testers being given out from many different booths and you got to choose your favorite one before committing to a whole drink. The ticket does come with two free drinks to start with, and if you were looking to sample more cocktails and drinks then all you had to do was return to the entrance to purchase more stubs. Easy as that!
It was interesting to see just how many local gins there were, some we already know of, and some newer to the scene. They all had one thing in common, they were all able to compete with international brands in terms of taste and quality. They all showed that their products were very well thought out and that they really put in the effort to complete with other world class brands. Whether it’s a classic G&T with a slight twist, or a totally new take when it comes to curating flavors, everyone brought their A game to this event.
You might think the BGC amphitheater isn’t that large to hold such an event but they did a great job at squeezing in everything that it takes to have an entertaining event. There was a stage for a band, many gin booths in the middle as well as the perimeter of the area, and they managed to add many picnic tables all around for you to sit and sip with friends and colleagues.
We can’t really think about drinking without thinking about eating. The two go hand in hand and the festival had a few food stands to choose from if you needed a nibble or even a whole meal. There were tacos, oysters, burgers, wings, and other usual bar favorites. There was something for everyone and they were cooking throughout the whole event. You didn’t need to worry about the time and missing out on the grub.
Aside from the food, there was music and also some booths that even had games and their own snacks to go with their curated drinks. Although it was a very warm summer night with barely any breeze, it was still very much enjoyable and lively. It did start with a band and towards the end of the night, some people were dancing and singing along to the DJ. Overall it was a great event not just to network and meet people who are in the beverage industry but to also learn about gin in general.
If the event pops up again this year or next year and you are not an avid gin drinker yourself, it is still worth going to! You might even find a gin or type of gin cocktail that you truly like. The key is to go with an open mind. Let the different brands- both local and international show you what they can do and let them shake up a great cocktail with some interesting ingredients that you will definitely enjoy!
