Ayala Land Inc. is giving the businesses of its restaurant tenants a boost by closing some of its streets to allow them to offer al fresco dining in Makati and Bonifacio Global City.
Aimed at breathing new life into restaurants in the business districts, the Makati Street Meet, Riverside Sessions in Circuit Makati, and BGC’s My Street High Street program will continue until June.
ALI had revived al fresco dining on Rada and Leviste Streets in Legaspi and Salcedo Village, respectively, closing both streets to traffic last February 14 and 28 – all within the bounds of the health and safety protocols of the city.

Circuit Makati hosted the Riverside Sessions (dining by the riverside with musical performances) while, in BGC, portions of 5thAvenue go car-free every Saturday and Sunday so people can freely play and dine outdoors from Bonifacio High Street restaurants.
Fresh vegetables and produce from displaced farmers of the Benguet Collectiveare also made available on weekends.
This initiative not only aims to support social enterprises that were severely hit by the pandemic, but also offer affordable goods to the BGC community.
ALI Head of Marketing and Communications Chrissy Roa said these events will now be happening on a regular basis, in response to the clamor of both restaurant owners and customers.
The next runs of Makati Street Meet will happen on March 14, April 4, April 18, May 2, May 16, June 13, and June 27. Riverside Sessions at Circuit Makati will happen on March 14, April 18, May 16 and June 27.
Al fresco, or outdoor, dining has emerged as one of the biggest global trends in the pandemic-hit restaurant business with parking lots, streets, gardens and other open spaces being used to cater to patrons in safe and open-air environments.
This development came as the economy started a slow but steady rebound with the easing of quarantine restrictions.
Ayala Land has been implementing road closures in Makati and Bonifacio Global City to promote safe outdoor community events.
Its other estates like Nuvali, Vermosa and Vertis North also feature big open spaces and pockets of green for this purpose.
The Makati Street Meet was held every month for three years at its original venue along Paseo de Roxas until the pandemic closed it down one year ago.
But with the gradual easing of health and safety restrictions this year, it is being revived with a new format and purpose – to help resuscitate the ailing restaurant industry.
“It had a resounding effect on the Legaspi Village community. Even people from far away cities came to visit. It has a world-class appeal and our area needs events such as this,” said restaurant owner Carlo Lorenzana.