Shaken, Stirred, and Stunning: A Thursday night with Nightcap Manila
Experiencing a lavish evening affair with Nightcap Manila and their signature cocktails
Written by: Chloe W. Novenario
There is something so intimate about a cocktail being made specifically for you. On your average night out at a bar or nightclub, you’re inclined to order a beer or an overpriced spirit drink that has a little more tequila than it should. Sure, you can’t ever go wrong with a Sangria or a G&T, but it would be nice if the bartender wasn’t busy with five to ten customers at once, just dumping two shots of tequila, coke, and a sour mix, calling it a Long Island Iced Tea.
On the night of November 14, I experienced what it was like to have carefully crafted cocktails made just for me. In what felt like a classy gathering, Nightcap Manila managed to surprise its guests with cocktails that perfectly set the atmosphere of the night.
Consider the business of Nightcap Manila—a pandemic baby. The concept of a mobile bar with personalized cocktails began as a business selling cocktail DIY kits, delivered to people's homes in 2021, much like how people ordered their groceries and meals around that time. With these DIY kits, people already got a taste of cocktails you wouldn’t find at your average bar. By 2022, as COVID restrictions eased, the opportunity to expand Nightcap Manila into a mobile bar finally presented itself.
Nightcap Manila was born from three friends who shared a passion for crafted cocktails and bringing people together to celebrate. Jamille Chua, Klaire Chua, and Aira So had a vision of spicing up events with charming drinks. During the 2020 COVID pandemic, the trio took it upon themselves to learn the art of bartending and cocktail creation, honing the talent and skills that brought Nightcap Manila to life. This vision sets them apart from other mobile bar catering services, thanks to their glamorous menu of cocktails made with thought and creativity.
The drink that won over the guests of the night was the Rose Quartz, a bubbly gin infused with fresh rosebuds and local dalandan fruits. I remember walking around the venue and seeing many people holding the pink drink, some even saying they’d go back to the bar for a second round of Rose Quartz. I couldn’t agree more—it was surprisingly light and refreshing. Not only was it a visually stunning drink, but its taste was also distinctive from any other gin cocktail I’ve ever had.
That isn’t to say guests weren’t drawn to the other signature cocktails being served. One unexpected standout was Act One. I never imagined old-fashioned bourbon could be mixed with caramel, cherry, and chocolate, but it worked beautifully. From my observation, this was another drink guests kept coming back for. Each of the signature cocktails had its own personality, leaving guests with fond memories once the evening ended.
Nightcap Manila has made a name for itself among various corporate clients such as Ogilvy, Rockwell, Shiseido, and more. If there’s a mobile bar you can trust for the best-crafted cocktails, it’s undoubtedly Nightcap Manila. They know how to set the tone for an unforgettable evening. If you want to bring a fresh and fabulous experience to your event, I highly recommend booking Nightcap Manila and curating a custom dream menu of cocktails!
Contact Nightcap Manila on their Instagram, Facebook, and website page for more details and a quotation.