The 9th Whisky Live Manila & Bar Show brings over 132+ whiskies and spirits, a new cocktail street, and some of Manila's best bars to Shangri-La The Fort on October 16–17.

Every good drinks menu starts with someone tasting something new and asking three questions: Where does this come from? What does it cost? And would my customers order it? For just two nights in Bonifacio Global City, a whole room of brand ambassadors, bartenders, and curious drinkers will be asking those questions at once.

The Whisky Live Manila & Bar Show returns for its 9th edition on October 16 and 17, 2026, from 7:00 PM to midnight, at Shangri-La The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Organizers bill it as the country's biggest whisky and spirits festival, with more than 132+ whiskies and spirits available for you to taste.

What's new this year

Three additions headline the 2026 edition. Whisky Cocktail Street brings new cocktails from well-known bars all over Manila onto one stretch of the floor. A New Brands section showcases labels and limited releases that are making their debut. And there's an official festival bottling made for this year, only sold in limited quantities.

The Manila Bar Show runs alongside the main hall, and is included in every available ticket tier.

The business side of the pour

It's easy to see Whisky Live as just a night out. But if you're planning a bar, a cocktail program for a restaurant, or a beverage distribution business, the floor works like a crash course.

You can talk directly to the brand ambassadors who represent the labels, and ask how their bottles reach Philippine bars and stores. You can see what Manila's bartenders are putting on their menus at Cocktail Street, and which flavors draw a crowd. And the New Brands section is an early look at what may show up on menus next year.

Watch how the brands present themselves, too. The storytelling behind a premium bottle’s origin, process, and the people who make it is the same skill a cafe owner uses to sell a single-origin pour-over.

If you go, treat it like work. Each ticket covers one night, and General Admission already includes unlimited tastings, Cocktail Street, and the Manila Bar Show; VIP adds a room of 50+ rare and limited bottlings. Bring a valid ID (it's 18 and above), dress smart casual, take notes, and book a safe ride home.

Why This Matters

For young professionals eyeing the beverage business, a single evening here packs brands, bartenders, and buyers into one room. That's market research you can't get scrolling at home.

Even if your dream is a cafe rather than a bar, the lessons carry over: build a menu people are curious about, know the story behind every drink, and make the experience worth coming back for.

Get your tickets through the site whiskylive.ph.

Whisky Live Manila & Bar Show 2026 (9th Edition) 📅 October 16–17, 2026 | 🕙 7:00 PM – 12:00 MN 📍 Shangri-La The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Author @adasverlow