Following the success of their previous collaboration with Singapore’s Neon Pigeon in January 2025, Uma Nota Manila holds another exciting cocktail partnership. On May 14 and 15th (today), the bar and restaurant at Shangri-La The Fort plays host to the internationally renowned SG Club from Shibuya, Tokyo, through their Head Bartender, Ryota Takumitsu.
Discriminating diners will get a taste of Tokyo’s vibrant bar culture right in the heart of Manila. SG Club, a fixture on the World’s and Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists, brings its innovative cocktails to Uma Nota PH. For only P650 per glass, guests get to sample SG Club’s original concoctions like the Bathtub Yuzu Drop; Dirty Mango, Extra Umami; Tokyo Banana Sour; and Lees In Wax.
Inspired by the pioneering journey of the first official Japanese delegation to the United States in 1860, SG Club in Shibuya, Tokyo offers a distinctive blend of historical influences and contemporary cocktail artistry.
Since its inception in 2018, SG Club has consistently earned accolades on the global stage, including:
- No. 54 in World’s Best Bars for 2024
- No. 23 in Asia’s Best Bars for 2024
- Top 10 in The World’s 50 Best Bars (2020)
- Top 3 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars (2021)
SG Club’s Head Bartender Ryota Tokumitsu is a prominent name in the international bar scene. Starting his career in Osaka in 2011, Ryota honed his skills at the renowned Bar Agréable before joining SG Group in Tokyo in 2021 and taking the helm at The SG Club in January 2024. Known for his creativity and passion, Ryota has even crafted an award-winning cocktail, the “Sun-kissed Daiquiri.” His inspiration to become a bartender stemmed from meeting Shingo Gokan and attending his masterclass in 2013, and his current motivation lies in the opportunity to travel the world through his craft.
Joining the collaboration is Uma Nota Manila’s Bar Manager, Benjamin Leal. Before calling Manila home, Benjamin led bar teams and crafted cocktail experiences across some of the world’s most dynamic hospitality scenes—from La Revolución in San Jose del Cabo and StreetXO Dubai by famed chef Dabiz Muñoz, to menu development for luxury hotels like Fairmont and Raffles Doha. His portfolio also includes Indochine Dubai, Pirata Group in Hong Kong, and multiple standout beachside venues in Phuket and Bangkok. With over 200 original cocktails under his belt, Benjamin brings bold, globally inspired flavors and a serious knack for innovation to the collaboration.
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