Jordan Lim on Up & Away’s Transformation from a Buzzing Nightlife Destination to a Spirited Cocktail Diner
Change is good
In this edition of our If Found, Return to Malaysia series that spotlights local founders, we sit down with Jordan Lim of Up & Away on the bar’s pivot from a drinks-focused nighttime hangout to a refreshing cocktail diner.
Change isn’t always bad. Case in point: Up & Away’s move to leave the late-night parties behind to pick up a more relaxed, craft-driven diner-style pace. Founder Jordan Lim AKA @jordanshakes has been in the driver’s seat for every chapter of the bar, steering his team as they navigated different chapters since opening. This latest move sees Up & Away take a more casual approach to drinks but not without leaving their creativity and craftsmanship behind. We recently got a taste of its new menu and became instant fans of it. As such, we decided to sit down with the founder and bartender for a quick chat about Up & Away’s new direction, plus how he aims to bring more of his personality through to its operations.
It’s been a year since U&A launched! What felt missing or what lessons were learnt that led you to taking this step?
After a year, we decided to double down on what we truly love, which is craft cocktails, good food, and guest experience. While we still do killer weekends with DJs, our current daily menu is one that I’m proud of and glad to see come to life.
Do you see this new chapter as more of a challenge or an opportunity?
A bit of both, to be honest! Chinatown has been challenging, so we’re doing everything we can to maintain our momentum. At the same time, this is an opportunity for us to showcase the talent and potential we have.
In your opinion, what makes a diner a diner? Is it the food, the feel, the people?
Having spent some time in the U.S., I think a diner should be casual, no-frills, and, overall, comforting, from the friendly service and warm food to the colourful interiors and chill vibes. In this case, we hope to capture some of that spirit here at the Up & Away diner bar.
How do you want people to use Up & Away now? Not just at night, but across a whole day?
We still primarily operate during the night, but we open our doors at 5pm. Meanwhile our sister restaurant downstairs, Lo & Behold, opens as early as 12pm from Tuesdays to Sundays. With that, I hope more people come for our food and to hang out with friends, family, or colleagues.
The term “local nostalgia” has become a familiar language in F&B lately. How do you make sure it stays personal, rather than feeling like a theme or aesthetic?
In terms of the cocktails, I believe we’ve always had a creative edge. These are flavors that the team and I hold close to our hearts. So, that in itself makes this menu very personal and sets it apart from others.
What goes into crafting drinks that fit into any time of the day?
Including low-ABV options and happy hour prices definitely makes our drinks more palatable for earlier in the day, especially during the evenings. So, I personally will add highballs and even zero-proof drinks into the menu.
What part of this evolution feels the most “you”?
The term “diner” itself feels very personal to me. I think I’m generally a pretty chill guy [laughs] and I just like good food and drinks—plain and simple. So, the new concept and direction as a whole is definitely a very “me” transformation!
How will you know that this new step was the right one to take?
Well, if people walk away having enjoyed the food and drinks they had at Up & Away even more than before, then I’ll know we’ve made the right decision!
UP & AWAY
Address: 141, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday – 5pm to 1am | Friday to Saturday – 5pm to 2.30am | closed on Monday
Contact: +6016 311 3369
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