An oasis of hip concoctions in Cebu

The Palm Lounge, the lobby bar like no other in town, was recently relaunched with a get-together of the city’s party crowd. Most came in colorful prints and safari getups as requested by Marriott Hotel general manager Karl Hudson, a gentleman who never seems to run out of innovative ideas for happenings at the hotel.

A bar specialist and the property’s beverage manager, Sydney-born Gerard Walker, gamely mixed and jumbled, blended and fused and perhaps – and I would not be a bit surprised at all – even invented concoctions to the amusement and enjoyment, delight and pleasure of the guests.

Walker, a food and beverage man with previous stints at classic hotels and tranquil resorts in Doha, Shenyang, Mauritius and Sydney, has been the deserving recipient of numerous awards at Flair Bartending competitions held around the world.

The novel list of potions available is impressive and stirring. The lounge offers crushed drinks such as Mango Madness and Melon Mint and Martinis in Cosmopolitan, Miss Money Penny and Cappuccino Martini, Liquid Lust, Nutty in the Tropics come highly recommended.

Added to the litany are some fresh coolers like Sunset, Bay Lagoon, West Indies, Yellowbird and one named after the country’s oldest city which is predicted to soon be the favorite of many. There are also the mainstays: Margaritas, piña colada, frozen mango daiquiri and long island iced tea.

For those with low tolerance for alcohol, nonalcoholic cocktails such as Sweet Passion, Madras and Summer Punch are available as well.

GM Karl Hudson declared, "We envision the Marriott Palm Lounge to be the distinctive, ultimate more-than-just-a-watering hole for our pampered guests and for those who have exquisite and exceptional desire for cocktails or excellent fine wine, which they can savor with delectable picas as they listen to mood music and enjoy a superior cigar."

Sounds great! But have you heard of the Martini Club which does not require a membership fee and yet its members can avail themselves of a 50 percent discount on all cocktails served at the Palm Lounge every Thursday? I suggest you pick up the phone, e-mail or better still drop by Cebu’s leading business hotel and find out more about it. I guarantee you won’t be sorry. Believe me.