Bizarre Bar’s Top-Rated Cocktail Celebrates Filipino Childhood

At the heart of Makati’s vibrant Poblacion district, Bizarre Bar has once again elevated its reputation with a cocktail degustation experience that transcends mere drinks—it's a heartfelt tribute to Filipino culture. The evening’s highlight, the ‘Ampaw’ cocktail, captivated guests with its fusion of traditional Filipino flavors and modern mixology.

For Bizarre Bar’s Beverage Director, Ian Libang, this dedication is deeply personal. The ‘Ampaw’ cocktail, named in honor of his mother, reflects Libang’s commitment to his roots and the bar’s mission to showcase the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines. By incorporating his mother’s cherished recipe into the final cocktail of the evening, Libang honored his background and reinforced the bar’s dedication to preserving heritage flavors.

Libang shared a touching childhood memory that inspired the ‘Ampaw’ cocktail. He reminisced about how his mother would make toasted rice treats from the burnt rice at the bottom of the rice cooker. “Every summer, when rice would spoil quicker, my mom would collect the burnt rice at the bottom to preserve it. She deep-fried it, sprinkled it with sugar, and served it on a newspaper cone. This practice was actually passed down from her father, as she grew up on a farm, ” Libang explained. 

Bizarre Bar Captivates International Patrons for Showcasing Local Heritage with Exquisite Cocktails

On a mission to showcase the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines to the world, Poblacion’s Bizarre Bar recently hosted friends from various embassies for its highly praised cocktail degustation. Foreign guests were treated to an extraordinary blend of Filipino heritage and innovative mixology, enhanced by the warm Filipino hospitality. The atmosphere was enriched with original Filipino music, creating a truly authentic ambiance.

Yukari Koike, Political Officer of the Japanese Embassy and a seven-year resident of the Philippines, was particularly impressed. “I’ve experienced Filipino cuisine in many restaurants, both modern and authentic, but Bizarre Bar’s creative presentation of local flavors and ingredients is truly unique. A big ‘arigato’ to the entire Bizarre team for this exceptional experience. The high-class Filipino cocktails and dish pairings were incredibly distinctive. I will definitely return with colleagues and friends to share this wonderful experience,” Koike said. Other foreign guests echoed Koike’s sentiments, praising Bizarre Bar for its unique tasting experience and expressing their intent to return with friends and colleagues to further explore the art and elegance of Filipino fine drinking.