PUBLISHED May 29th, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:33 pm
The cocktail scene in Kuala Lumpur is growing slowly but surely since the craft cocktail movement in the earlier 2010s. During our last trip to Kuala Lumpur, we witness the passion of bartender-owners, warm hospitality, imaginative spaces and innovative flavours. Helmed by some of the best mixologists in Malaysia, needless to say, you are in for a treat. Whether you’re up for timeless classics or post-modern flavours, here are the best cocktail bars in KL.
Reka:Bar
Reminiscent of a spaceship, Reka:Bar considers themselves a “post-modern flavour lab”, and that’s no lie with inventive drinks. In their “The Domino Effect” menu, each cocktail shares an ingredient with the one before, much like the circle of life. The bar also rolls out themed seasonal menus, like the current “Unseen Beauty”, which pays tribute to migrant workers in Malaysia. For instance, Bor-Honey is an elegant clarified yoghurt drink with tequila and ginger honey, created in honour of an ex-Bangladeshi bartender. Or get a taste of Nepal in Nomadic Breakfast, a hot bourbon cocktail topped with butter foam.
Reka:Bar is located at 67M, Jln Setia Bakti, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p. +60 10 287 8908. Open Mon-Thu 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am & Sun 5pm-12am.
JungleBird KL
Tucked away on the second floor of a shophouse in Damansara Heights, JungleBird transports you to the Caribbeans with its rum-based cocktails and rattan furnishings. No. 35 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list, it’s also known as Rumah Rum (“house of rum”in Bahasa Melayu), featuring over 250 international rum labels. Their finesse for rum is clear in their signature JungleBird, well-balanced with Diplomatico Mantuano rum and fresh pineapple juice, and the Malaysian-inspired rojak-in-a-cocktail, Nyonya Business. To refuel, the all-day destination also serves delectable munchies like The Cubano.
JungleBird KL is located at 61M, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p. +60 3-2011 5715. Open Mon-Tue 4pm-12am, Wed-Thu 12pm -1am, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12pm-12am.
Bar Trigona
Paying homage to the bee species they are named after, Malaysia’s best bar (No.29 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list) offers a Honey Flights menu dedicated to raising awareness about honeybees. Explore the complex flavours of raw honey in the Trigona Old Fashioned, or try the classic Bees Knees. Their Foraged Malaysia menu transforms local flavours into cocktails, be it the Sabah tea-based Teh Tarik with rye whiskey and monk fruit and their spin on a food icon in the aromatic Ba Kut Eh? cocktail, featuring 12-year old single malt whisky, sweet vermouth, and the actual Ba Kut Teh.
Bar Trigona is located at Four Seasons Hotel, 145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p+ +60 3-2382 8670. Open daily 5pm-1am.
Coley
From pop-up bars and operating from the back of shops to finally putting down roots in Bangsar, Coley is one of the forerunners in KL’s cocktail scene. With its warm and inviting atmosphere and a flair for innovative cocktails, the longstanding bar stayed on the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 at No.100. Their menu sees refreshing highball-style cocktails perfect for the summer heat, such as Gin & Coconut and Vodka & Pear. Don’t miss out on their classics like Hanky Spanky – a pomegranate twist to the classic Hanky Panky – and delectable food menu.
Coley is located at 6-G, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p. +60 19-270 9179. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-1am. Closed Sun.
Pahit
Named after the old colonial drink of gin and bitters, Pahit is the gin-focused sister bar of Coley. Teeming with hippie vibes, its collection of gin, bitters, and botanicals lined against the back bar offers a wide variety of flavours that brings “Juniper & Joy” to all drinkers. G&Ts come in a variety of tonics and garnishes, while local flavours shine in their house-infused gin cocktails like Lychee and Ginger Flower and Jackfruit and Lime. Their version of the Pahit combines London dry gin, bitters, house-made falernum syrup, and lime juice for a complex sipper.
Pahit is located at 3, Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p. +60 3-2110 0776. Open Tue-Fri 5pm-1am & Sat-Sun 3pm-1am. Closed Mon.
Penrose KL
An intimate bar in KL’s Chinatown that seats just 25, Penrose has quickly gained the endorsement of cocktail drinkers through art and arithmetic. Co-owner Jon Lee develops cocktails by drawing on a five-compound liquid structure – attention to alcohol, dilution, body, flavour, and taste. With this formula, his team of skilled bartenders elevate classic styles like highballs and sours. Have a go at the Ume Fuji, a light and fruity twist to the whisky highball or opt for something richer like the Xoco Negro, a chocolatey Negroni.
Penrose KL is located at 149, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Open Wed-Sun 7pm-1am. Closed Mon & Tue.
Triptyk
Situated within a grungy pre-war shophouse, sustainably-minded bar Triptky has plenty of character and purpose. Its laid-back atmosphere and selection of low ABV and zero-proof offerings alongside regular cocktails, appeal to both seasoned and new drinkers. A drink at Triptyk is more than a mixture of liquids; it is a memory or a person etched in the mind of its creator. The Hafu, with shiitake mushroom vermouth, miso tequila, and Jameson seaweed bitters, reflects the warmth of a man who enjoyed meals with his loved ones, while Burung Hutan is a zero-proof option created in honour of Malaysia’s national cocktail, Jungle Bird.
Triptyk is located at 88, Jalan Tuba, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p. +60 14-320 8050. Open Wed-Fri 5pm-12am, Sat 12pm-8pm & Sun 12pm-10pm. Closed on Mon & Tue.
Bar Mizukami
Inspired by Netflix’s Midnight Diner series, Bar Mizukami is a one-man-show bar that welcomes a maximum of 10 tipplers at a time. Its cosy environment means you get to interact and come up close with bartender-owner Shawn Chong as he shakes your cocktails a la omakase-style. With its endless permutations of cocktails, because there is no menu, delight in drinks specially crafted to match your requests and preferences. Or just “go with the flow” in a personal and personable experience at bar Mizukami.
Bar Mizukami is located at Bangunan Ming Annexe, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p. +60 16-301 6498. Open Tue-Thu 6pm-12am, Fri-Sat 5pm-12am. Closed Mon & Sun.
Bar Terumi
As one of Malaysia’s few female-owned and operated bars, Bar Terumi is designed around the comfort and safety of its customers. A sense of tenderness sweeps over the space with warm gentle hues, and soft music drawing customers to this cocktail sanctuary. Combining Malaysian flavours with bartender-owner Shirmy Chan’s Japanese-style bartending, enjoy signature cocktails like Hakanai, a G&T twist with house-blend guava tonic water and assam boi foam, topped with a slice of fresh guava. For the adventurous, the Opal sees the laksa leaf infused in chocolate liqueur for a cocktail inspired by assam laksa.
Bar Terumi is located at 9a, Jalan 20/16, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, p. +60 11-5915 0308. Open Mon-Sat 6pm -12am. Closed Sun.
Three X Co
Accessible through a barbershop at Bangsar Shopping Centre, Three X Co imitates The Great Gatsby with its stylishly relaxed decor of dark leather furniture, gold accents and vintage glassware. The speakeasy-inspired bar carries a well-curated selection of top-shelf gins and whiskies, from which they craft their cocktail menu. Local and oriental-inspired ingredients take the spotlight in cocktails like the bourbon-based Mr Wong’s Choice paired with chrysanthemum, homemade longan liqueur and Pei Pa Kao, whereas the Penang white nutmeg fronts the Balik Pulau with gin and clarified milk.
Three X Co is located at Lot T6A, Level 3, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, p. +60 19-336 6031. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-12am & Fri 5pm-1am. Closed on Sat & Sun.
Top Image Three X Co