Connect with us

Drink

W Maldives to host bar takeovers with David Ong, Victoria Chow

Published

on

W Maldives has announced plans to host two bar takeovers, in leading with W’s cocktail culture.

Inspired by Director of B&F Dan Drebing’s Filipino heritage and to highlight the scene of his home flavours, W Maldives will present a bar takeover with David Ong, co-owner and head bartender from Curator Coffee and Cocktails.

An event spanning across two days, David will take his passion for coffee and cocktails from his cozy and intimate bar in the Philippines all the way to the iconic white sand beaches of W Maldives.

Voted No. 37 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for four consecutive years and the Best Bar in the Philippines, the Curator is known for being serious about specialty coffee and craft cocktails, priding itself in sincere and personal customer service as a forte.

David will take centre stage from October 23-24. Whilst on the retreat’s luxury playground, David will spark W Maldives’ bar scene with his signature favourites along with a mix of local island ingredients.

“The first bite is always with the eyes and we are keen on delivering Asian flare in nibbles and beverage,” an announcement by the resort read.

Next up is Victoria Chow, owner of The Woods in Hong Kong. She believes in “taking an educated sip”, and strives to connect the dots between spirit producers and brands to better leverage the consumer experience.

By taking over W Maldives’ SIP for a bar masterclass, she plans on elevating the understanding and appreciation for the craft of spirits for W Maldives’ guests.

Going further, from November 12-14, this Forbes Asia 30 under 30 recipient will flaunt her story with a culinary take on cocktails.

“We look forward to tasting the Woods Welcome cocktail and perhaps a first taste of her very own line of canned craft cocktails from KWOON,” the announcement said.

A bonus for in-house Marriott Bonvoy elite members is a chance to get behind the bar and advance in cocktail making techniques with both David and Victoria.

“Re-vitalising the ‘B’ in B&F in true W style with bold, unscripted luxurious blue surroundings, endless flow of cocktails and going further with more island takeovers in collaboration with International influencers,” the announcement read.

“A great take away included for the cocktail culture to live on in the comforts of your home. W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat Whatever/Whenever.”

Located in the North Ari Atoll, W Maldives offers 77 escapes and suites located both ashore and overwater, including 28 Wonderful Beach Oasis, 46 Fabulous Overwater Oasis, three WOW Ocean Escape and one Extreme WOW Ocean Haven (the W brand’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite). Each chic and spacious escape features infinity plunge pool.

There is a mixture of six bars and restaurants at W Maldives. Kitchen, the all-day dining bistro, and Fire, where guests have their choice of four different barbecues, provide menus for everyone’s palate. Swim up to the pool bar Wet and order a light lunch. There is even a dining option on the resort’s private desert island, Gaathafushi, or Fish, the resort’s specialty seafood restaurant set over the water and under the stars. Fifteen Below is the only underground club in the Maldives, with its own resident DJ and a sushi bar Sushi Beat.

Guests can also spoil themselves with a selection of over 125 treatments at the award-winning overwater Away Spa.

Drink

French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to lead wine-pairing dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives

Published

on

Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to the island for an exclusive five-course wine-pairing dinner on 4 December, where guests will have the chance to meet him in person, discover his wines and hear more about his approach to winemaking.

Known for his distinctive wines from France’s Loire Valley, Pascal Jolivet will personally present a selection from his collection throughout the evening. Each wine will be paired with a specially created course, bringing together carefully prepared dishes and wines chosen to complement their flavours.

The selection will include Sancerre Signature 2023, Pouilly-Fumé Indigène 2023, Attitude Pinot Noir 2024 and Sancerre Rosé 2024, giving guests the chance to discover different styles from the winemaker’s collection.

Founded in 1987, Pascal Jolivet’s wine house has become well regarded for its approach to expressing the natural character of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. His wines are particularly recognised for their freshness, precision and elegance.

At Milaidhoo, food and wine are an important part of island life. With a strong focus on quality ingredients, varied culinary experiences and a carefully selected wine collection, the island attracts guests who appreciate good food and fine wines.

Nikhil Bakle, Resident Wine Sommelier at Milaidhoo Maldives, says: “What makes an evening like this special is the chance to go beyond the wine in the glass. Having Pascal with us means guests can hear directly from the winemaker, learn about his approach and discover what goes into each bottle. It is also a lovely opportunity to explore how these wines complement the food.”

Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the evening will bring together good food, exceptional wines and the chance to meet the man behind the label, making it a special occasion for wine lovers visiting Milaidhoo.

Read more about Milaidhoo’s culinary offering here.

Continue Reading

Drink

Milaidhoo Maldives celebrates International Men’s Day with ‘Gentlemen & Cocktails’

Published

on

Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.

The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.

As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.

The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.

Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.

Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.

The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.

The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.

Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.

Continue Reading

Drink

JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll partners with RED Bar for mixology takeover

Published

on

JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has announced a three-night bar takeover in collaboration with RED Bar, New Delhi, from 25 to 27 November 2026, featuring mixologist Virender Singh.

Titled The Craft of the Cocktail, the collaboration will bring RED Bar’s approach to mixology to three venues across the resort, offering guests a series of cocktail experiences in different island settings.

Located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, RED Bar is recognised for its approach to contemporary cocktail creation, incorporating a range of ingredients, flavours and techniques. The venue was featured on the 2025 list of India’s 30 Best Bars and has participated in guest shifts and bar takeovers internationally.

Leading the collaboration will be Virender Singh, who has eight years of experience in beverage creation. His approach to mixology focuses on ingredient combinations, flavour pairings and experimentation with cocktail-making techniques.

“At JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, we believe that exceptional experiences are shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, and a sense of discovery,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food & Beverage.

“This collaboration offers our guests the opportunity to experience RED Bar’s approach to cocktails across three distinctive settings on the island. We look forward to welcoming Virender Singh and sharing these experiences with our guests.”

The takeover will take place across three evenings, beginning at Nikkei Bar, where guests can sample signature cocktails at the resort’s overwater bar while overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The second evening will be hosted at JW Garden, featuring a garden-to-glass concept incorporating fresh ingredients and tropical flavours.

The collaboration will conclude at Wahoo Bar, where the cocktail experience will move to a beachfront setting.

The event forms part of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort’s efforts to introduce international culinary and beverage talent to the Maldives through guest collaborations and dining experiences.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.