Of late, Kuala Lumpur is becoming one of the best places to party at in all of Asia, and the nightlife experiences here are worth mentioning. The city is brimming with clubs, pubs, and bars; as well as rooftop restaurants and bars that are located within five-star hotels, giving visitors a plethora of options to choose from. In fact, Kuala Lumpur alive and vibrant with colors even before the sun completely sets, and party enthusiasts and die-hard clubbing lovers get to enjoy a perfect combination of extensive alcoholic beverages, an inviting ambiance as well as some amazing music performances by some of the best DJs in the country.
Here is a list of the best 15 bars in Kuala Lumpur, in no particular order; so that you can have your party plans sorted for the weekends to come!
1. PS150
Previously home to a brothel, PS150 is now the talk of the town and one of the best bars in Kuala Lumpur. Located in Chinatown, the bar is divided into three different zones, with each zone replicating a unique theme of its own. The Opium Den boasts of its own Oriental Charm, while Tiki is an open courtyard inspired by post-war scenes. The main bar area is an amalgamation of the old and new, and is the favorite hangout spot from the three.
The drinks are all decently priced, and come with bottomless kacang putih (traditional Malaysian snack made of chickpea) to satisfy your hunger; and the Pandan Flip and Red Poison Princess are must try cocktails served here.
Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000, KL.
Opening hours: Sundays and Mondays: 06:00 PM to 01:00 AM, Tuesdays to Saturday: 06:00 PM to 02:00 AM
2. Sky Bar
If you intend to explore some of the best bars in Kuala Lumpur, you cannot get away without visiting this gorgeous rooftop nightclub, which is located on the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel. The center of attraction here is the pool, which is bordered by cabanas on one side, and a bar area on the other, both of which offer stunning panoramic views of the entire city and the glamorous skyline. But the fascinating location is not the only thing the bar is recommended for, since it also serves excellent drinks, including wines, beers, spirits, cocktails and mocktails; and good food. And to add to the fun, the in-house DJs play some great techno music on some nights, while on others, you will get to hear jazz, rock and pop music.
Do not miss out on the signature drinks, such as the Selangor Sling and Mata D’ Or; and on the buffalo inferno wings and crispy barbecue beef ribs.
Address: Level 33, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 10:00 AM to 01:00 AM, Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00 AM to 03:00 AM
3. Jungle Bird
A new addition to the list of the most happening bars in Kuala Lumpur, the Jungle Bird opened recently in Bukit Damansara, and boasts of being a one of a kind of ‘Rumah Rum’ bar. The café has managed to stay true to its Malaysian roots, and the ambiance and décor of the place replicate exactly that. Bamboo stilts and rattan furniture will welcome you inside the bar, and the leafy wallpapers give you a complete tropical resort vibe.
Their namesake cocktail- the Jungle Bird Cocktail, is a must-try; which looks like an actual bird with pineapple leaves fanning out from the glass; and the Rum Old Fashioned is equally good. The only drawback is that the bar does not serve any food, since it does not have a kitchen as of now.
Address:15 Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Sundays to Wednesdays: 05:00 PM to 01:00 AM, Thursdays to Saturdays: 05:00 PM to 03:00 AM
4. The Vault
The Vault has been designed to give its visitors a feel of the Prohibition Era, and even the specially curated menu replicates the theme through its blend of authentic classics and specialty cocktails. In fact, entry to the bar is through a vault door, and hence, the name 'The Vault KL'. Currently on the menu are 18 specially crafted cocktails, which help the bar meet its vision of serving world-class cocktails with quality service. The music here is also exceptionally good, with DJs playing from Thursdays to Saturdays.
Must try cocktails and classics include lemongrass-infused vodka, the passion fruit martini, and the Smokey Negroni.
Location: 5, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays: 05:00 PM to 02:00 AM, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 05:00 PM to 03:00 AM, Fridays and Saturdays: 05:00 PM to 04:00 AM
5. Havana Bar and Grill
A perfect combination of a restaurant and a bar; the Havana Bar and Grill, located in what was formerly a mansion, has been serving happy customers for over 20 years now. Rated as one of the best bars in Malaysia, Havana has succeeded in bringing Latin America and Cuba to Malaysia; and you will find a lot of expats and western tourists relaxing here with a cocktail in their hand, blissfully enjoying the salsa music in the background. The staff here is really friendly and sweet, and you get to choose from a large range of draught beers, wines, specialty cocktails and spirits; with happy hours going on every day till 09:00 PM.
Make sure to try out the signature drinks, including the AK 47, LIIT and The Zombie; and the chicken tikka pizza and chicken burger here are definitely the crowd favorites.
Location: Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Fridays to Sundays: 01:00 PM to 03:00 AM, Mondays to Thursdays: 03:00 PM to 03:00 AM
6. Play Club at The Roof KL
If you wish to skip the usual commercialized and conventional night clubs and get to know those party animals better, then the Play Club is the place to be at – the ideal venue to mix up and interact with other people. This premium dance club, located in Petaling Jaya, is inspired by some of the best clubs of Europe, and is complete with an industrial themed set up with totally minimalistic décor and exposed pipes. The Play Club also boasts of having hosted a number of international artists, including Lil Jon, Cedric Gervais, and VINAI; and it is not uncommon to see a lot of expats and local celebrities grooving along to the hip-hop, trance and EDM music throughout the weekend at the bar.
All the pretty women can take advantage of the Ladies Night, which takes place every Thursday, when entry before midnight is free, and 4 glasses of cocktails are complimentary.
Location: First Avenue, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays: 04:00 PM to 10:00 PM
7. Shelley Yu’s
Named after the wife of one of its co-founders, Shelley Yu’s specializes in traditional Nonya food and artisanal cocktails, and beautifully combines the two to create a memorable experience for its visitors. This bar of Kuala Lumpur is a perfect place to meet at for a casual lunch or dinner with friends and family, and yet it doubles up as a club on the weekends, when the DJs play some amazing music, and guests groove along to the tunes enjoying their gin and tonic.
The cocktails here are a must-try, a beautiful amalgamation of the West Winds gin with homemade tonics, with unusual elements like smoked turmeric brine, cinnamon, jackfruit and salted pineapples being used to lend authentic Nonya flavors to the drink.
Location: 49, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Sundays to Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 12:00 PM to 02:00 AM
8. Heli Lounge Bar
A fully functional helipad by day, a bustling bar and club by the night: nothing can describe the Heli Lounge Bar any better. Located inside the Menara KH Building, the bar is built on two levels: the top floor houses the nightclub, while the roof has the helipad bar. What adds to the elitist feeling of being at the place is the fact that not a lot of people know about this hidden gem, and also that this helipad is one of the only five in the city! And since the bar is located just across the KL Tower, you undoubtedly get the best views of the city skyline from here.
The bar serves a wide range of beers, both domestic and imported; and the classic cocktails including mojitos and martinis are also worth giving a shot. These include Dine in the Air, Chopper, Star Kiss, Hellusion and Fizzy 747.
A word of advice: make sure that you reach between 06:00 PM and 09:00 PM to get free entry to the rooftop bar.
Location: 34 Menara KH, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 50450, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Sundays to Wednesdays: 05:00 PM to 12 midnight, Thursdays: 05:00 PM to 01:00 AM, Fridays and Saturdays: 05:00 PM to 02:00 AM
9. Omakase + Appreciate
Probably the coolest cocktail bar in Kuala Lumpur, Omakase + Appreciate is the brainchild of Shawn, and is a unique concept which is gaining much appreciation in the industry. Omakase is a Japanese word, which literally means ‘a meal which consists of dishes which have been chosen by the chef’; only, in this case, the beverages are the food. The mixologists here are great at what they do, and based on the interactions that you have with them, they will handcraft a drink, just for you! In fact, the bar has also been picked up as Asia’s top 10 bars by the World’s 50 Best Bars organization, and is constantly featured as the best bars in the city.
Signature drinks include Whisky Cobbler with a pineapple twist and Monk's Refresher, while Glass Berry and From Strait Terroir are also must try drinks while at Omakase + Appreciate.
Location: Bangunan Ming Annexe, 9, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Fridays: 06:00 PM to 01:00 AM, Saturdays: 09:00 PM to 01:00 AM, Sundays and Mondays closed
10. BarAtas
Inspired by and built along the lines of Malaysian culture, BarAtas is a quirky cocktail bar in Kuala Lumpurwhich combines fun with nostalgia, by weaving together a quirky décor with the Malayan vibes of the bygone era. Even the food has been innovated with a local twist, and the bar serves a lot of Malaysian inspired food; and this influence is quite evident in the drinks too. The bar plays some great Hip Hop, RnB and commercial music, so groove along as you enjoy the imaginative drinks and lip-smacking food.
Popular cocktails include the Cendol Atas and the Cold Fire ice lollies; and the fettuccine chilli pan mee spaghetti wantan noodles and fish & chips with Assam sauce are must try food items that pair very well with the drinks.
Location: 59100, 3-1, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays: 05:00 PM to 03:00 AM, Sundays and Mondays: closed
11. MANTRA
MANTRA Bar is located at the Bangsar Village Shopping Center; and is as famous for its panoramic views as it is for its Asian style cocktails and tapas. The interiors are pretty relaxed, with a long bar set in a modern Asian setting, as well as a beautiful dining deck fitted with high tables and potted plants; and lots of couches and private cabanas. Both the beverages and the food here are modern takes on favorite classics, with flavours from South East Asia; and don’t be surprised to find unusual tastes and textures in your food!
Classic cocktails that you must try include the Pulau Panjang, The Dynasty, Old Fashioned, Cuban Mojito, Pisco Sour, and Tim Collins. The bar also offers happy hours from 04:30 PM to 07:00 PM on all days, and Wednesday nights are for the ladies to enjoy.
Location: Bangsar Village, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays: 04:30 PM to 01:30 AM, Fridays to Saturdays: 04:30 PM to 03:00 AM
12. Coley
One of the most popular bars in Kuala Lumpur, Coley never fails to meet with its reputation of serving good cocktails to its visitors; which is why it was awarded with the title of Asia’s Top 50 Best Bars in both 2018 and 2019 consecutively. With a spacious and relaxed setting, complete with a large bar counter; visitors can choose from a range of classic cocktails and drinks on the carefully curated menu, which is updated every now and then. And the best part is that the bar pays attention to even the minutest of details, from making their own ice to dehydrating fruit slices to use as garnishes; which gives it an edge over the other bars in the area.
Be sure to try the classic cocktail Hanky Panky while at Coley. In fact, the name Coley is inspired from the famous bartender Ada Coleman, who created this classic cocktail. Coleys’s Saffron Sour is also another must-try item on the menu.
Location: 6-G, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays: 05:00 PM to 01:00 AM, Sundays: closed
13. Zeta Bar
Extremely popular among those who like to party out till late, the Zeta Bar is the ultra-famous and chic place to be seen at; especially because it is also the favorite hangout spot for a lot of expats and international celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez. As the only club in Kuala Lumpur which also features a live international band, the place is good not just for food and drinks, but also for its great music and ambiance. Complete with a long runaway table and a bar seating, the premium range of drinks here complements the sleek décor of the bar.
Location: Level 5, Hilton Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Mondays to Tuesdays: 05:00 PM to 02:00 AM, Wednesdays to Saturdays: 05:00 PM to 03:00 AM, Sundays: closed
14. Pisco Bar
Undoubtedly one of the coolest bars in Kuala Lumpur, the Pisco Bar is home to an urban delightful atmosphere, which attracts expats, foreign visitors and trendy locals to it in large numbers, especially after its dinner hours. Some of the trendiest DJs in town perform here, as visitors enjoy the mesmerizing live music performances and dance along while sipping on their cocktails. Spread over two floors, the place can accommodate up to 250 people, and the elevated stage indoors makes for a great place to host parties, product launches, movie screening, and performances.
Not just cocktails, guests can also choose from an array of mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages, which include juices, tea, and coffee; other than wine and liqueur. The bar’s specialties include Peru’s Pisco Sour Cocktail and the Peanut Butter and Jelly Shooter.
Location: 29, Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 05:00 PM to 03:00 AM, Thursdays and Sundays: 05:00 PM to 01:00 AM, Mondays and Wednesdays: closed
15. Canopy Rooftop Bar and Lounge
Canopy Rooftop Bar and Lounge is the first outlet in Kuala Lumpur by the Tiger Bay of London; and is reputed for its cocktails, cigars, Mediterranean classics, premium-grade shisha and homemade desserts from all around the globe. Located on top of The Mayang Club, along Jalan Mayang; this stylish rooftop bar in Kuala Lumpur offers some of the best nightlife experiences, and the sleek bar area and the semi-covered lounge which overlooks the majestic Petronas Twin Towers are worth mentioning.
Signature cocktails served here include Apple & Cinnamon Buck, White Sangria, and Impeared Peat; and the dessert menu, which offers extensive desserts including Belgian waffles, crepes, gelatos, and milkshakes, is also quite impressive. The unique flavored shisha tobaccos and drinks like pina colada, mango mojito, and mandarin zest are also must try items on the menu.
Location: 183, Jalan Mayang, Kampung Baru, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 04:00 PM to 03:00 AM on all days of the week
So, the next time you feel like heading out for a drink, you know exactly where to go. But keep in mind that a lot of bars in Kuala Lumpur are very particular about their dress code policies, which means that you must be dressed in smart casuals in case you wish to drop by. Also, flip flops and sandals are a big no-no! It is a good idea to actually check on the dress codes applicable before hitting a bar to avoid any last-minute hassles. Happy Hours and Ladies Nights are also plenty, so make sure that you take full advantage of these offers.
Happy clubbing!