Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest At the start of the year, some people adhere to ‘Drynuary’ (dry January) to begin the year clean or to atone for indulging over the holidays, while others keep the celebrations going. Whether you’re abstaining or imbibing this month, we’ve got you covered. From coffee workshops to wine dinners, here are some drink-related events for the first month of 2020. Cocktails, Spirits, and Bar Shifts She Shakes For Taal When: January 23, Thursday Where: The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, 134 Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City Time: 8:00 pm onwards Entrance: Free admission She Shakes is back for a third round! This time, eight talented Filipina bartenders work their magic behind the bar for the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption from Brgy. Banjo West Batangas City. Head over to The Curator on January 23, 8:00 pm onwards and drink for a cause. Donations in kind will also be gathered at the event. The people of Brgy. Banjo West are in need of clothes, blankets, toiletries, water, easy-open canned goods, and biscuits. Tatenokawa Sake Night When: January 28, Tuesday Where: Koji Sake Bar in Ralph's Pasay Road, Unit 101 & 108, Pamana Languages Internationale Building, 926 Antonio Arnaiz Ave, Makati City Time: 7:00 pm onwards Entrance: Php 1,250 net Sake takes center stage on January 28 at Koji Sake Bar in Ralph’s Pasay Road. Taste four Ultra Premium Junmai Daiginjo Sake from the Yamagata prefecture’s purely Junmai Daiginjo specialist, Tatenokawa. Tatenokawa (which translates to Castle Stream), is a 6th generation family-owned brewery located in Western Japan. Since 2010 they have been making only Junmai Daiginjo, to simplify sake to the consumer who might be overwhelmed by all the sake brewing styles, and also to emphasize premium quality and obtain specialised knowledge of this sake style. Strictly limited to 24 slots only. Contact Jorge Joseph at +63 917 853 7501 for reservations. Wine and Dine The Cellar Talk: A Study In Origins When: January 8, Wednesday Where: The Cellar, Grand Hyatt Manila, 8th Avenue corner 35th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Entrance: Php 1,200 net Wine lovers can start the year learning about the geography of bold Argentinian wines and aromatic French wines at The Cellar at Grand Hyatt Manila on January 8. A flight of featured wines will be paired with small plates and enthusiasts can participate in a blind taste test to assess their knowledge. For reservations or inquiries, call +632 8838 1234 or email [email protected]. Okada Manila Wine and Dine Series: Château La Nerthe Wine Dinner When: January 15, Wednesday Where: La Piazza Italiano, Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive, Parañaque City Time: 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Entrance: Php 6,800++ Château La Nerthe is one of the oldest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape, is credited for being one of the first estates to bottle their own wine, and is one of the first estates in Chateauneuf du Pape to export their wine outside of France. Head over to La Piazza Italiano at Okada Manila to discover the five-century-old history of the winery with Brand Ambassador Christophe Briestiel and enjoy an intimate 5-course wine dinner featuring Chef Gleb Snegin’s signature Italian dishes paired with the quintessential wines from Château La Nerthe. The pairings for the evening consist of Château Gantonnet Bordeaux Blanc 2018, AOC Bordeaux with canapes, followed by duck meat, baby spinach, and saffron poached apples salad paired with Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2017, risotto with mushrooms and prawn accompanied by Château La Nerthe Clos De Beauvenir AOP Blanc 2016, roasted chicken with creamy wine sauce is paired with Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2015, and the braised pork rib with spaetzle and vegetable ragout paired with Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 1989. RSVP at [email protected] L’Aperitivo Italiano at Cicchetti When: January 29, Wednesday Where: Cicchetti, 8F MDI Corporate Center, 10th Ave cor. 39th St., BGC, Taguig City Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Entrance: Php 1,800 for Members | Php 2,200 for Non-Members (inclusive of 3 glasses of Italian wines for tasting and finger food) Have an authentic Italian experience with L’Aperativo Italiano at Cicchetti in BGC on the 29th. Socialize the Italian way and treat yourself to an evening of selected wine and food prepared by experts. This event, presented by The Italian Chamber of Commerce, encourages guests to mingle and build connections through Italian wine culture. Tickets are at Php 1,800 net for Members and Php 2,200 net for Non-Members inclusive of three (3) glasses of Italian wines for tasting paired with Italian finger food. For ticket reservation, e-mail them at [email protected] or call +632 978 0279 | +63) 2 541 2567 | +63 917 563 8633. Register online here. Food and Drink Nikkei 2020 Veinte Veinte When: January 16 and 23, Thursdays Where: Nikkei Rockwell, G/F One Rockwell, West Tower, 71 Rockwell Drive, Makati City on January 16; Nikkei Nama Bar Rada, G/F Frabelle Business Center, 111 Rada, Legaspi Village, Makati City on January 23 Time: 7:30 pm onwards Entrance: Php 1,995 ++ Celebrate the new decade with delectable drink and food pairings at two of Nikkei’s locations this January. The famed Japanese-Peruvian restaurant starts the year with a couple of Veinte Veinte, New Year New Menu events that will thrill wine lovers and sake enthusiasts alike. Oenophiles should head over to Nikkei Rockwell on January 16, where there will be a wine buffet featuring Friexenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay, Le Grand Noir GSM, Le Grand Noir Viognier, Kir-Yianni Paranga White, Kir-Yianni Paranga Red, Francis Ford Coppola Rosso and Bianco Pinot Grigio. January 23 is for sake afficionados. The featured sakes for the night are Hakushika Chokara, Hakushika Ginjo Namachozo, Gekkeikan Kome To Mizu Junmai, Gekkeikan Horin Junmai Daiginjo, Hakkaisan Junmai Ginjo, and Gand ekkeikan Kirei Peach Sake. The wines and sakes will be paired with 6-course dinners by Chef Juan Barcos and Chef Christian Cejas. Contact Jorge Joseph for reservations at +63 917 853 7501. Guests can also reserve a seat via www.nikkei.com.ph or call +63 916 636 9817 or +632 8541 6689. Beer Nipa Brew Homebrew Workshop When: January 18, Saturday Where: Nipa Brew Taproom & Brewhouse, 9639 Kamagong, San Antonio Village, Makati City Time: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Entrance: Ticket Price: Php 1,700 | Group Rate: Php 4500 for 3 tickets | Walk-In: Php 2000 (Prices are inclusive of all brewing materials, food, and 2 x330mL servings of beer) “The Science of Beer and Brewing” is a series of talks and workshops to teach beer-ginners about the science that goes into beer. In partnership with The Professor’s Brew, Nipa Brew Taproom and Brewhouse will be hosting these classes to invite more people to brew and drink craft beer. Try your hand at brewing and experience a typical homebrew day, while drinking beer and chatting with friends. You will get to use their Robobrew and perform the steps first hand! Only ten slots open! Slots will be secured after confirmation of payment. Sign up here. Belgian Beer Masterclass at Three Little Pigs When: January 18, Saturday Where: Three Little Pigs, 12 East Capitol Drive, Pasig City Time: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Entrance: Php 700 We love Belgian beer, and we know we’re not the only one. Get acquainted with and learn more about different styles of Belgian beers at the Belgian Beer Masterclass in Three Little Pigs hosted by Romain Hotterbeex of Les Deux Belges. Guests will get to taste 6 Belgian brews (Bush, Gulden Draak, Lindemans, Westmalle, Baptist, and Cuvée des Trolls), paired with delectable snacks. Parties Wednesday Sunset Sessions at Wild Flour Rockwell When: January 15, Wednesday Where: Wildflour Restaurant (Wild Flour Rockwell), G/F 8 Rockwell Center, Plaza Drive, Makati City Time: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm Entrance: Free admission Take a break in the middle of a long week and wait out the traffic at Wild Flour Rockwell’s Sunset Sessions. Listen to DJs Manolet Dario and Bombie Balquiedra playing easy-going tunes and chill with a drink or two. Happy hour on beers and cocktails ’til 10:00 pm. For inquiries or reservations, call +632 8850 5503 / +63 917 705 3329. Huat’s up? Pool Party When: January 24, Friday Where: Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, 2609 Civic Drive Filinvest, Muntinlupa City Time: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm Entrance: Php 799 net with unlimited craft beer and red cocktails Light up your Friday night and celebrate Chinese New Year at Crimson Hotel’s Deck Bar with an auspicious pool party. Enjoy a night of freeflowing Engkanto craft beer and red cocktails, live DJ, bar games, and snacks to give you a prosperous vibe. For ticket inquiries, call +632 8863 2222 or email [email protected]. Australia Day – Bushfire Fundraiser When: January 25, Saturday Where: Handlebar Bar and Grill, 31 Polaris Street, Poblacion, Makati City Time: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Entrance: Drinker's Package is USD 20 or Php 1,000 | Non-Drinker's Package is USD 10 or Php 500 Usually Australia Day is celebrated with a big party, but with the catastrophic bushfires in Australia, this year will focus on raising funds for the bushfire appeals back in Australia. You can donate prizes to the raffle to be held on the day or a direct donation to this cause. The Drinkers Package is USD 20 or Php 1,000 and includes a set Aussie day Meal (barbecue meal, meat pie, sausage roll) and free-flow of local beers and house wine (as listed at the bar). The Non-Drinkers Package is USD 10 or Php 500 and includes a set Aussie day Meal (barbecue meal, meat pie, sausage roll) and free-flow of iced tea. The money raised at the event will be donated directly back to the bushfire appeals in Australia. A Night Under the Starts, Kartel 2nd Anniversary Party When: January 30, Thursday Where: Kartel Rooftop Bar, 4th floor of Dr. Wine Building, 5921 Algier St., Poblacion, Makati City Time: 6:00 pm to 12:00 am Entrance: Free admission | All guests will be welcomed with a glass of Ampelidae Brut Rose Celebrate Kartel Rooftop Bar’s 2nd anniversary on January 30 and enjoy the panoramic views of Rockwell, Makati and BGC Skyline under star-lit skies while sipping on tasty drinks. All guests will be welcomed with a glass of Ampelidae Brut Rose from AWC and, as part of the festivities, it will be Buy 1 Get 1 all night for Mojito, Passion Fruit Caipirinha and Spiced Cuba Libre Cocktails by Apotheke Craft Spirits. Drink and party the night away with live performances from DJs, Roberto Seña, and DJ Christi Mcgarry and Eduardo Lara. The party starts at 6:00 pm. Their happy hour promo (free-flow of wine, Heineken beer, and cocktails) will still be available from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for Php 750. For reservations, contact +63 917 563 8811. L.O.T.U.S. w/ Nakadia When: January 31, Friday Where: XX XX, 20b, La Fuerza Plaza 1, 2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City Time: 10:00 pm to 6:00 am Entrance: Early Bird Rate is Php 445 We’re all about putting the spotlight on talented ladies. L.O.T.U.S (Ladies Of The Underground Sound), in partnership with Jägermeister are staging a series of events showcasing the most talented and sought-after international and local female DJs. The series kicks off with Thailand’s country-girl-turned-Thailand-techno-queen, Nakadia, at XX XX on January 31 for Footprints’ 1st Anniversary! End the month by dancing the night away. Purchase tickets here. Coffee Coffee University: Basic Barista Course When: January 11, Saturday Where: Commune, 36 Polaris St. Poblacion, Makati City Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Entrance: Php 3,500 inclusive of snacks, coffee, and certificate Learn more about coffee in this Basic Barista Course, the first class of Commune Coffee University for 2020, conducted by champion barista Vanessa Caceres. The class will cover the fundamentals, science, history, and processing of coffee, plus some hands-on experience operating an espresso machine. Fill up this form to reserve a slot. For more info, email [email protected] or call +632 8275 6324 or +63 919 859 5848. Coffee Conversations: Brewing Bonds Between Communities When: January 14, Tuesday Where: Clock In Ayala North Exchange, 3/F Retail Podium, 6796 Ayala Avenue Cor. Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Entrance: Free admission Coffee lovers who want to learn more about the Philippine coffee industry should check out the Coffee Conversations: Brewing Bonds Between Communities meeting by Philippine Coffee Alliance. In partnership with the Spark Project, they will be launching programs and opportunities for all coffee enthusiasts and professionals to discuss how to develop the Philippine coffee industry. Guests will also have a crash course on coffee-tasting and the differentiation between Philippine coffee beans from Frank and Dean’s at the event. DrinkManila will keep updating the list of events. If you have events that you would like to include on the list, please send us complete information at [email protected].