Manila, Philippines, 10 November 2026 — Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is preparing to open Layara, a new signature destination bar located at the forthcoming Mandarin Oriental Makati, Manila, scheduled to launch at the end of the year. Positioned above the two-hectare Ayala Triangle Gardens, the 150-capacity venue will serve as a central food and beverage concept for the property, focusing on the landscapes, traditions, and ingredients of the Philippine archipelago.
The launch marks a significant operational milestone for Mandarin Oriental, signifying the return of the luxury hospitality brand to the Philippine capital, where it previously operated for nearly four decades from 1976 to 2014. Rising above the Makati skyline, the new 275-room hotel is situated at the intersection of Makati Avenue, Ayala Avenue, and Paseo de Roxas, placing it centrally within Manila's financial and commercial district. The property will feature five distinctive dining and bar concepts, an extensive 800-square-metre Spa and Wellness floor, a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool, and versatile event spaces. The hotel development introduces a contemporary expression of Filipino luxury, combining nature-inspired accommodations and design with local craftsmanship.
The launch marks a significant operational milestone for Mandarin Oriental, signifying the return of the luxury hospitality brand to the Philippine capital, where it previously operated for nearly four decades from 1976 to 2014. Rising above the Makati skyline, the new 275-room hotel is situated at the intersection of Makati Avenue, Ayala Avenue, and Paseo de Roxas, placing it centrally within Manila's financial and commercial district. The property will feature five distinctive dining and bar concepts, an extensive 800-square-metre Spa and Wellness floor, a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool, and versatile event spaces. The hotel development introduces a contemporary expression of Filipino luxury, combining nature-inspired accommodations and design with local craftsmanship.
Layara takes its name and conceptual framework from the Filipino word for sail, 'layag'. The venue’s visual identity draws upon the fluid movement of the traditional Pangalay dance, while its colour palette reflects the vibrant striped sails of the Vinta boats historically associated with the Tausug, Sama-Bajau, and Yakan communities. The interior architecture incorporates a ceiling constructed from wood lattice, natural materials, and lush tropical greenery, designed to translate movement and heritage into a space that feels continually in motion while visually transporting guests away from the urban environment.
At the heart of Layara is an evolving beverage programme created by Bar Manager Kiara Opeda whose career has taken her from respected Manila venues including OTO Bar and Sabi Sounds, to Black Sheep and Happy Paradise in Hong Kong. Opeda recently served as the Brand Ambassador for Pernod Ricard Philippines before joining the Mandarin Oriental team. The operational strategy for Layara centres on a quarterly-changing cocktail collection that highlights a different Philippine destination, exploring its seasonal produce, native botanicals, culinary traditions, and local narratives alongside a curated selection of classic and signature drinks. Opeda explained that the evolving menu is designed to travel throughout the year, allowing the bar to celebrate the individuality of each island while establishing a continuous discovery journey to encourage repeat guest visitation.
The debut menu is divided into two thematic chapters focused on Cebu, a major province in the Central Visayas region recognised for its mountain ranges, beaches, and marine life. Each beverage includes a Visayan title and narrative, accompanied by ink-wash illustrations of the archipelago. The first chapter, "Sailing the Philippine Archipelago", features seven alcoholic cocktails incorporating regional myths and histories. Selections include Maria Cacao, blending Orientalist Dragon Whisky with yellow mango, passionfruit, pomelo, and jasmine tea, and Bakunawa, combining Martell VS Cognac, black sesame, cacao, and muscovado beneath a banana milk foam. The Princess Urduja cocktail mixes Lady Trieu Vietnamese gin with ube, Earl Grey, and goat's cheese foam, while the Raja Zula integrates gunpowder gin, green mango, guava, and ginger. Furthermore, the Lapu-Lapu & Raja Humabon features vodka, lychee, elderflower, fino sherry, and bianco vermouth, and the Mactan blends Irish and Scotch whisky with coconut milk, jackfruit, sweet corn, and banana.
The second chapter, titled "The Islands After Mactan", offers a dedicated selection of non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails aimed at expanding the venue's accessibility. This section features zero-proof spirits, such as the Diwata, mixing Sober Spirits Rum with citrus, mint, and sugar, and the Babaylan, which pairs Sober Spirits Amaretto and Aperitivo with tamarind, pineapple, and lime. The Offering combines glutinous rice, yellow mango, ginger, and coconut milk to reference regional culinary practices. The Child from Spain incorporates Sober Spirits Gin, a kaffir lime sugar cube, and Saicho Osmanthus sparkling tea, while the low-ABV Aswang integrates salted calamansi, Three Cents Cherry Soda, Luxardo cherry bitters, and a banana and coconut cream foam.
At the heart of Layara is an evolving beverage programme created by Bar Manager Kiara Opeda whose career has taken her from respected Manila venues including OTO Bar and Sabi Sounds, to Black Sheep and Happy Paradise in Hong Kong. Opeda recently served as the Brand Ambassador for Pernod Ricard Philippines before joining the Mandarin Oriental team. The operational strategy for Layara centres on a quarterly-changing cocktail collection that highlights a different Philippine destination, exploring its seasonal produce, native botanicals, culinary traditions, and local narratives alongside a curated selection of classic and signature drinks. Opeda explained that the evolving menu is designed to travel throughout the year, allowing the bar to celebrate the individuality of each island while establishing a continuous discovery journey to encourage repeat guest visitation.
The debut menu is divided into two thematic chapters focused on Cebu, a major province in the Central Visayas region recognised for its mountain ranges, beaches, and marine life. Each beverage includes a Visayan title and narrative, accompanied by ink-wash illustrations of the archipelago. The first chapter, "Sailing the Philippine Archipelago", features seven alcoholic cocktails incorporating regional myths and histories. Selections include Maria Cacao, blending Orientalist Dragon Whisky with yellow mango, passionfruit, pomelo, and jasmine tea, and Bakunawa, combining Martell VS Cognac, black sesame, cacao, and muscovado beneath a banana milk foam. The Princess Urduja cocktail mixes Lady Trieu Vietnamese gin with ube, Earl Grey, and goat's cheese foam, while the Raja Zula integrates gunpowder gin, green mango, guava, and ginger. Furthermore, the Lapu-Lapu & Raja Humabon features vodka, lychee, elderflower, fino sherry, and bianco vermouth, and the Mactan blends Irish and Scotch whisky with coconut milk, jackfruit, sweet corn, and banana.
The second chapter, titled "The Islands After Mactan", offers a dedicated selection of non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails aimed at expanding the venue's accessibility. This section features zero-proof spirits, such as the Diwata, mixing Sober Spirits Rum with citrus, mint, and sugar, and the Babaylan, which pairs Sober Spirits Amaretto and Aperitivo with tamarind, pineapple, and lime. The Offering combines glutinous rice, yellow mango, ginger, and coconut milk to reference regional culinary practices. The Child from Spain incorporates Sober Spirits Gin, a kaffir lime sugar cube, and Saicho Osmanthus sparkling tea, while the low-ABV Aswang integrates salted calamansi, Three Cents Cherry Soda, Luxardo cherry bitters, and a banana and coconut cream foam.
Complementing the mixology programme, Layara will provide a culinary menu consisting of refined small plates and elevated bar fare inspired by regional favourites and reinterpreted with contemporary techniques and premium ingredients. The venue's evening operations will be supported by a live music programme featuring Philippine ethnic instrumentalists, vocalists, bands, and DJs. The broader conceptual aim positions Layara as a gateway to subsequent domestic travel destinations, acting as a prelude to locations such as Siargao, Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan. The launch of this new destination bar further expands the global portfolio of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, which currently manages 47 hotels, 15 residences, and 36 exceptional homes across 29 countries and territories.
