The Peninsula Manila raises the bar once more with another adventurous spin for a memorable Father's Day experience...
Dad's definitely the Man at The Peninsula Manila. Last June 17, 2018, Salon de Ning and The Bar were transformed into the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge, a one-afternoon-only pop-up to honor dads in a novel and cool celebration. The Peninsula Manila partnered with Back Alley Barbershop, Auro Chocolate, Smart Infinity, Vespa, Jo Malone, Urban Traveller, Tino, Slow Days, Vintage Grail, Wine Depot and Apotheke Craft Spirits in an inspired collaboration to recreate the sophisticated feel and vibe of a private gentleman's club for a hip Father's Day experience like no other.
Impressed with the previous Father's Day concept last year, The Peninsula Manila takes it even higher with the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge (see my previous post from my other travel blog on last year's event here at #PenMoments: Adding Coolness to Dad's Day at The Peninsula Manila's Pen Ultimate Father's Day). 
That day, dads enjoyed round after round of Gin & Tonics made with some of the world's finest small batch gin labels from Apotheke Craft Spirits.
The resurgence of gin adds another vibrant layer to the growing bar scene in the metro, and Apotheke Craft Spirits brings a variety of premium labels for some innovative craft gin cocktails. Pick your label or just ask Andy to whip up a refreshing G & T to get you in the groove in no time... 
...and have another. Let the bar surprise you with soothing blends using a wide variety of gin labels from Apotheke Craft Spirits...
...and be adventurous by infusing some soothing heat from fiery peppercorns tempered by herbs and rounded out by the clean and mildly fruity notes of premium gin. It's Dad's day after all, and he deserves another round for the excellent job (for more Apotheke Craft Spirits, head to their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/apothekecraftspirits/).
In between endless rounds of gin-based cocktails, The Peninsula Manila served a sumptuous array of fine gourmet cheeses and charcuterie...
...including the prized Jamon Gran Reserva with its deeper red tint developed over a much longer curing period (at least fifteen months or longer) versus the usual jamon variety.
As the Jamon Gran Reserva is delicately carved by the cortadors, a sweet fragrant aroma triggers your senses. One bite and the intense flavors of the jamon line your palate with its indulgent richness. And you'll want to go back for more, with another round of cocktails. 
As handcrafted Gin & Tonics flowed all throughout the afternoon, you can never have enough of cheese and charcuterie so have another plate.
During the Father's Day pop-up, dads were treated to a relaxing massage at Salon de Ning, just perfect with another cocktail. Dads everywhere deserve to be pampered, and they get the full treatment at the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge. Need a trim? The Peninsula Manila's got that covered too. 
Back Alley Barbershop, one of the metro's top male grooming specialists, gives dads the royal treatment with a proper gentleman's haircut in the classic and traditional way. Old school still rules, and dad's look way cooler after a visit to Back Alley Barbershop inside the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge (check out Back Alley Barbershop's FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/backalleybarberandshop/).
Complete the look with exquisite timepieces from Vintage Grail (find your grail watch on their FB Page, https://www.facebook.com/vintagegrail/) to match a smart bespoke tailored shirt and suit from Tino (visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/tinosuits/) for a well-deserved transformation. This day is all about you... 
And there's more. Made from the finest leather, get that fine handcrafted accessory from a selection of wallets, key chains and more without stepping out of the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge. The well-curated items assembled by the partners of The Peninsula Manila includes everything for the modern dad. 
From the coolest travel kits, necessities and doodads picked by the Urban Traveller (more at https://www.facebook.com/urbantravellerco/) to hand treatments and exclusively for him scents and cologne from Jo Malone (find out more on their site at http://www.jomalone.com.ph/), the pampering goes on all afternoon.
And if you want the coolest red ride on two wheels...
...there's the timeless and always classic Vespa to take you from point A to B in style. The iconic brand with its signature pressed steel unibody and dynamic front fairing is just hard to miss. Add a fiery red paint job, and you're good to go and turn some heads along the way just like the film Roman Holiday. With its own devoted subculture, the retro scooter is as popular as ever. Refined with that liberating Italian spirit, the celebrated Vespa 946 carries on the retro-futurist lines of the brand for your next urban adventure (for more on Vespa, check out the FB Page of Vespa Philippines here at https://www.facebook.com/VespaPhilippinesOfficial/).
For audiophiles, pick your hard-to-find track from an extensive selection of vinyls from Slow Days (L) and sit back with another cocktail and let the DJ do all the work. Retro yet modern, classic with that edgy hipness, the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge is, by far, the coolest expression of Father's Day yet.
Give dad that ultimate dark indulgence with the decadent Dark Chocolate Soft Serve with crisp Lengua de Gato by Auro Chocolate for that epic sweet ending at the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge. And it just doesn't get better than this. 
Using only the best Davao-origin cacao, Auro Chocolate is undeniably one of the country's finest artisan chocolate (for more on Auro Chocolate, check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/aurochocolate/). Take a bite from their exclusive Heritage Collection in proudly homegrown flavors like 32% White Chocolate with Cashew, 42% Milk Chocolate with Banana Chips, and 55% Dark Chocolate with Arabica for that bean-to-bar chocolate goodness. Sourcing direct from local farming communities, each bite goes a long way in promoting fair trade and sustainable practices as well as preserve local heirloom varieties. Top it off with a velvety smooth Dark Chocolate Soft Serve with its bold and rich flavors perfectly finished by the sweet and crisp lengua de gato, and all's good on Father's Day at the Pen Ultimate Dream Lounge.
Have one more for the road...
...and give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it. And this is your day.
The Peninsula Manila is located at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, 1226 Makati Avenue, Metro Manila or call +63 (2) 887-2888 for inquiries.
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