7 Lively cocktail bars and speakeasies to check out in Penang
Pick your poison
While Penang is known around the world for its appetising street food and colourful heritage, the local cafe and bar culture has been burgeoning in the past decade too. Some avid bar hoppers and cocktail enthusiasts may argue that the bar scene alone is worth a trip—if not providing more reasons to visit the northern state. With that in mind, here are some of the coolest watering holes in Penang to stop by for amazing cocktails.
Backdoor Bodega
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Since opening discreetly in 2016, Backdoor Bodega has established itself as the hottest bar in Penang—earning the 97th spot on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list as a testament to its craft. This makes it the first Penang bar to be recognised among the top 100 bars in the region. Helmed by clothing shop owner turned bartender Koh Yung Shen, the speakeasy is tucked at the back of The Swagger Salon in Hin Bus Depot. It offers an ever-changing menu of trendy specialty cocktails under the guise of an “overpriced pin shop”, where each cocktail is served with the purchase of a unique lapel pin.
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Address: 37, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 8pm to 12am, Thursdays to Mondays
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Good Friends Club
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Call up your good friends and “jio” (read: invite) them to this hidden bar for a great time over a round or three of splendid cocktails! Located right next to Backdoor Bodega (perfect for a bar crawl!), Good Friends Club is inspired by a traditional Chinese coffee shop, complete with classic kopitiam signage and metal stools and tables. Expect a fun, relaxed ambience to sip and savour the bar’s wide array of cocktails—many of which play with local flavours.
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Address: 39, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 8pm to 2am daily
Contact: 010 550 1204
Manchu
Step through Manchu’s timber doors and you’ll be transported to the majestic Qing dynasty era. Think striking red lanterns, ornate arches, lion stone statues, and Chinese motifs decking the interiors of the hidden bar. There are even live Chinese opera performances on some nights, in keeping with the Manchurian theme. The menu here consists of dim sum and hearty mains such as risotto and pasta, in addition to a range of colourful cocktails.
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Address: 8 & 40, Jalan Pintal Tali, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Opening hours: 6pm to 3am, Tuesdays to Sundays
Contact: 012 500 7588 | 017 222 0336
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Mish Mash
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Mish Mash has been around in Georgetown’s bar scene for eight years now and it’s still one of the most frequented watering holes in the city for solid cocktails. The bar features informal, understated interiors with Asian-inspired murals and a wall of cigar boxes, exuding a laid-back atmosphere. On the other hand, the cocktails promise to excite the palate as much as they please the eye. Whisky enthusiasts will also not be disappointed by the extensive selection of labels here.
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Address: 24, Muntri St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 4.30pm until late, Tuesdays to Saturdays
Contact: 017 536 5128
Magazine 63
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Opened in 2017, Magazine 63 takes pride as the first premium speakeasy lounge bar to debut in George Town. The secret to its location lies in its name (brownie points for deciphering the clue), with its entrance concealed behind a wooden door of what appears to be an abandoned shoplot. Inside, the interiors may remind you of a traditional Chinese inn with exposed brick walls and a cosy atmosphere. Look up to spot the floating stage overlooking the main bar, where live performances are held. As for the menu, take your pick from reimagined classics and original cocktails, paired with a selection of small plates.
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Address: 63, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Opening hours: 8pm to 2am, Tuesdays to Sundays
Contact: 017 636 3551
Beso Rosado by ChinChin
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Formerly known as Golden Shower, Beso Rosado by ChinChin is a restaurant and bar offering Mediterranean-inspired tapas and trendy libations. Don’t let its edgy graffiti-covered entrance fool you—a posh, stylish setting awaits inside, characterised by baby pink and gold hues with an iconic oval-shaped bar counter. The food and drinks menus are equally sophisticated, prepared with premium ingredients and Instagram-worthy touches.
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Address: 86, Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 6pm to 12am, Tuesdays to Fridays | 12pm to 12am, weekends
Contact: 04 263 6868
The Mandarin
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Set in a double-storey house along Jalan Irving, The Mandarin offers an unassuming space for crafted cocktails and lighthearted conversations. Established in 2019, the 18-seater hidden bar has no signage or menu, which may be intimidating for those who are new to the bar culture. Fret not though, as the bartender is known to be friendly and well-prepared with an arsenal of spirits to curate a drink based on your taste preferences.
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Address: 3B, Jalan Irving, 10450 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 6pm to 1am, weekdays
Contact: 019 465 8887
Find more things to do in Penang here.
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