Flavors of El Nido: Good Vibes at Manille Beach Bar

Manille Beach Bar is another establishment within the expansive Lio Tourism Estate in El Nido by Ayala Land, and if you're after some cool good vibes, this is it. Inventive, handcrafted cocktails prepared by master mixologists using the very best selection from the country's oldest distillery, it's another must-try bar at Lio Tourism Estate. Named after Destileria Limtuaco & Co.'s flagship Philippine craft spirit brand, Manille Liqueur de Calamansi and Dalandan, you can expect new and exciting cocktails right here at Manille Beach Bar. Read on and take a virtual round of cocktails and tasty bites...

Located right on the beach, Manille Beach Bar gives you a front row seat to the sunset. The open design gives it a casual vibe, accentuated by aged wooden barrels to complete the look. The circular bar, with its native thatched roof, adds to the tropical beach feel, and you just know you'll stay for more than just a couple of cocktails.

The new Lio Tourism Estate is a massive development with over 325 hectares, with over half retained as non-developable nature reserve sites and open spaces, consistent with the guiding philosophy of sustainability and inclusive growth ensuring the least impact to the environment while benefiting the local community. Within the estate are resorts, hotels, retail and food establishments and residential areas for a totally integrated resort community (for more on Lio Tourism Estate, see my post on my other travel blog, Discover Lio El Nido...). By sunset, a sudden craving for cocktails is almost automatic. Sunsets are a visual cue, it's not only magic hour, it's happy hour.

And it was great to see old friends again, Larry Guevarra and Sharleen Antonio (R), award-winning master mixologists at the helm of Manille Beach Bar. Be prepared for an awesome show by Larry and Sharleen when they prepare their signature cocktails. And be prepared for some good vibes all the way...

Manille Beach Bar is Destileria Limtuaco's first stand-alone bar concept showcasing their range of products (for more on Destileria Limtuaco, see my earlier posts, Philippine Craft Spirits: The Best of the Philippines in a Bottle and Local Flavors in a Bottle: At the Manille Liqueur de Dalandan Launch...), and El Nido is the perfect spot.

Larry and his team immediately get to work inside the circular bar, preparing the welcome cocktail for the evening...

The Manille Basil Smash, a refreshing concoction made with Empire London Dry Gin, Manille Liqueur de Calamansi, lemon juice, fresh basil leaves, simple syrup and served on the rocks, it's the perfect cocktail to get you started at Manille Beach Bar.

Pair your cocktail with Manille Beach Bar's Manille Longanisa Nachos, crunchy corn chips smothered with fresh salsa, cheese sauce, and local pork sausage meat cooked with Imeldifique Cooking Wine, another fine product from Destileria Limtuaco.

The Paradise Salad (L) is another tempting starter with fresh Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and diced mangoes drizzled with Destileria Limtuaco's Paradise Mango Rum Liqueur. Destileria Limtuaco's Imeldific Cooking Wine is also used for the Spicy Chicken Wings (R), with its sweet and spicy glaze.

Or go for Maille Beach Bar's Signature Cheeseburger with 100% all-beef patty topped with cheese, lettuce and onion and served with side of fries.

Outside Manille Beach Bar, a grill made from an aged wooden barrel is fired up for the main courses, featuring a selection of grilled pork and chicken. A good bar has to be complemented with equally good food, and Manille Beach Bar gets a check mark on both counts.

The Grilled Meat Platter features Skewered Pork BBQ, Paradise Mango Grilled Chicken, and Grilled Pork Liempo in one plate for the seriously hungry, and this is what you need after one too many cocktails...

...but it's the Amadeo Coffee Beef Ribs that had me with the first bite. Tender and juicy choice cut beef rib slowly stewed and simmered with Destileria Limtuaco's Amadeo Coffee Liqueur, served with garlic rice and vegetables, it just can't get better than that. The nutty notes of the Amadeo Coffee Liqueur adds depth to the dish, complementing the savory richness of the fork-tender beef. You'll probably want some extra rice with this one...

In between bites, Larry and his team prepared even more cocktails, including the El Nido Gold, made with Destileria Limtuaco's El Hombre Gold, Manille Liqueur de Dalandan, elderflower syrup, guava juice, and lemon juice. Good vibes...

And there's more. The Calauit Park Swizzle, a soothing blend with Old Captain 5 Year Old Rum, orgeat syrup, guava juice, and Angostura bitters, is sweet and easy, and be prepared for a light buzz. You're on vacation, so have another round...

Larry and Sharleen capped the evening with their signature Flight to Lio, a sampler of their cocktails executed in Larry and Sharleen's unique style and flair. All four cocktails were served at the same time, now how cool is that? Just leave it to Larry, Sharleen and everyone at Manille Beach Bar for some good vibes at Lio El Nido.

Aloe-Haaa!, Yuzu Good To Me, Lio Sunset, and Old is Gold, pick one more cocktail for the road...

After a few more rounds of cocktails, guests were then given sampler miniature bottles of Destileria Limtuaco's craft spirits. Good vibes all around. It's great to see old friends again, at the new Lio Tourism Estate, El Nido's hottest new travel destination...