Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s much-awaited bar, the fashionable Martinis, has opened its doors to trendsetters and prime movers in business and society. The tony smoking bar is the newest Makati hotspot, which showcases stylish interiors, a world-class Canadian jazz chanteuse, a wide selection of classic cocktails and martinis, naturally.

A Modern Bar Defined by Music and Luxury

Martinis promises to also become widely popular with jazz-smart bar habitués, with sultry Karen Manion backed up by the Bluroom band setting the right groove on evenings, providing a swinging musical interplay of jazz and soul standards, funky Rn’B and pop music.

“We designed Martinis as a premier bar and meeting place, where our customers can listen to light jazz, relax, and enjoy a license to chill,” says Helmut Gaisberger, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Manila, of the hotel’s 2007 second opening salvo following the unveiling of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Manila only a few weeks before. “At Martinis, our customers can enjoy martini concoctions the way they like them, and drink their other preferred classic cocktails, as well”, he adds.

Evoking a contemporary art deco interior theme designed by EC Studios, warm rich wood, and leather upholstery render a cosy feel to the bar. Dark carpets and polished wood flooring, and comfortable lounge chairs and booths convey warmth and sophistication. A baby grand piano right in the middle of the entertainment area adds to the sophisticated appeal of the bar. Other design details worth noting include tilted ceiling mirrors reflecting the action of the bartenders, wall alcoves and panels, and strikingly sophisticated contemporary art deco chandeliers. The expansive bar counter is uniquely inviting with its extensive showcase of Martinis, classic cocktails and wines that can be both enjoyed by the glass or by the bottle. Highly trained professional bartenders mix and blend guests’ preferred cocktail drinks with flair, adding to the bar’s modish entertainment.

The attractively broad classic and contemporary cocktail collection such as Singapore Sling, Mojitos, Margarita, to name some; and the extensive and inventive Martini selection which includes Ginger Martini, Sake Martini, Choco-chilli Martini, Dirty Martini, Cosmopolitan, among others, is complemented by a selection of scrumptious bar snacks, to go with any choice drink. A diverse selection of premium cigars such as Montecristo, Bolivar and Cohiba, are also on the menu.

A grand Martinis launch party to be held late next month is another red-mark event, which will gather the big names of movers and shakers in the business, diplomatic, political, social, and media circles.

Always Stirred, Not Shaken

The “King of Cocktails” after which Martinis was named, gained an iconic status over the years, as a symbol for cocktails and nightlife in general. Similarly, it is often tagged as the proverbial drink of the old “three-martini lunch” of business executives.

The Martini gained eminent status as an American cocktail at the beginning of the 20th century. By wide account, it is a descendant of the Martinez, an older, sweeter, but similar cocktail, which had its origins in California in the 1870s. A perfect serving of a classic martini as declared by W. Somerset Maugham is that “Martinis should always be stirred, not shaken – so that the molecules lie sensuously one on top of the other”; while James Bond, Agent 007 (the fictional British spy created by author Ian Fleming), created his own trademark preference of his Martini as “always shaken, not stirred”. A shaken Martini is believed to have a more rounded and sharper taste, with a cloudy texture rather than clear, brought about by the vigorous shaking action.

Nowadays, new specialty Martinis have been created in answer to the changing times, which make use of a variety of combinations of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, splashes of cream, and brightly coloured liqueurs. Similarly, a variety of unique garnishes are also being used these days for flavoured Martinis such as, marinated capers, fresh herbs, or olives stuffed with blue cheese, anchovies, or sun-dried tomatoes, instead of the typical cocktail olive, onion, or lemon twist.

Some of the many legendary historical and fictional figures who favoured the Martini included Winston Churchill, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Cary Grant, to name a few.

Martinis bar is open Monday thru Sunday, from 11 am to 2 am. A carvery lunch is offered on weekdays, and Karen Manion performs with the BluRoom band Monday to Saturday, from 9pm to 12 midnight. For details, call Mandarin Oriental, Manila at +63 (2) 750 8888.

For more information or enquiries, please contact the hotel’s public relations representative on +63 (2) 750 8888 or email Charisse Chuidian at charissc@mohg.com