7 New cocktail bars to visit in KL and PJ for a fun night out in 2023
Pick your poison
Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife is back and busy, with a list of new haunts to discover around the city (and other areas in the Klang Valley too). While the morning larks and afternoon crowds are flocking to the latest cafes and restaurants in town, night owls are hunting down new stamping grounds for cocktails and a great time. If the latter sounds relatable, look no further than the establishments on our radar below.
1. BAR TRIPTYK
Bar Triptyk launched in December 2022 as the anchor tenant of its namesake F&B collective, established by legendary bartender Angel Ng and her business partner, Ahmed Zareh. Located on the upper floor of a pre-war shophouse in Kampung Attap, the bar prides itself on a sustainable approach that includes reducing waste and reusing scraps to make in-house concoctions or compost. The menu consists of low-ABV and zero-proof cocktails inspired by anecdotes from friends, customers, and Angel’s personal experiences. It also serves a handful of bar snacks prepared by the kitchen team downstairs, as well as coffee, tea and wine.
“True to the co-founders’ passion for preserving heritage structures, Bar Triptyk instantly strikes me as a laid-back destination for casual drinking with its pared-down interiors and reused furniture. Aside from the relaxed ambience, the selection of cocktails has been thoughtfully curated to cater to regular bar hoppers and newcomers alike, especially with low- and non-alcoholic options that keep inclusivity in mind. The house cocktails are also categorised into appetisers, mains and dessert to help guests enjoy the drinks progressively at their own pace.
“I initiated my maiden visit with the Absinthia Rai—a blend of absinthe, chardonnay, elderflower tonic, tea and ginger powder which offered a light, refreshing start with a subtle kick. Next, I tried the Rattan Highball and Jacky Joseph from the appetiser section. The former is an invigorating concoction of Honjozo sake, watermelon and coconut soda garnished with jackfruit and lotus tea leather; whereas the latter is a mix of whiskey, jackfruit tea, and club soda served with spiced pineapple and orange jam atop a bread crisp, which evoked nostalgic memories of A&W root beer. (Fun fact: Absinthia is the name picked out for Angel’s then-unborn daughter, whilst the recipe for Jacky Joseph was meant as a gift to her firstborn!)
“Moving on to the mains, I opted for Hafu, which is made with shiitake mushroom vermouth, miso tequila, and Jameson seaweed bitters paired with a smoked paprika cucumber cracker. This is definitely one for adventurous palates or those who can appreciate savoury, umami flavours in their cocktail. In the spirit of mindful drinking (pun unintended), I signed off with the only dessert house cocktail, Cafe Rose. It’s a sweet blend of lychee liqueur, black pepper, cold brew coffee, and oat milk topped with toasted nutmeg and coconut flakes—a delicious nightcap.
“In between librations, I also sampled all three bar snacks on the menu. The Grilled Corn is coated with laksa butter (I need this in my pantry!) and pecorino romano cheese, whilst the Deep Fried Pumpkin Croquettes are mixed with spices including cumin, fennel seeds and smoked paprika with a side of Vietnamese BBQ mayo. Both dishes are appetising and worth ordering to complement your drinks. Alternatively, the Grilled Chicken Thigh Skewers are a classic option, prepared with a slightly spicy Thai street-style marinade and served alongside Nam Jaew chilli sauce. Overall, Bar Triptyk definitely served up a fun night with brilliant cocktails that left me looking forward to my return.” —Natalie Khoo, Deputy Editor
Address: 8, Jalan Tuba, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 12PM – 3PM, 5PM – 12AM | Wednesdays to Sundays
Contact: 014 320 8050
2. BAR MICRO
“Tucked away from the hubbub, Bar Micro makes its entry into the local bar scene at Ooak Suites and Residence, Mont Kiara. It’s not an easy bar to find if one is not familiar with the area but when you do, it’s just like its namesake—small and cosy. But don’t be fooled; it’s armed with some punchy cocktails and bites.
“Founded by two-time Masterchef UK winner Ping Coombes and her three good friends, Bar Micro was born out of their love of mixology and a fun night out. With up to 13 drinks and two zero-proof (alcohol-free) options on the cocktail menu, there’s a good variety to suit different palates. My first cocktail of the night was the Triple L—lavender blue pea gin, Kwai Fee lychee, martini blanco, lemon cordial, and citric acid—a fruity concoction that wins in terms of presentation and its balance of sweet and sour notes.
“To get the night going, the team at Bar Micro recommended I try the Olden Highball—a floral combination of Bulldog gin, elderflower syrup, lemon, and jasmine soda. I’m a fan of anything elderflower-flavoured; however, there are times when it can be overpowering, so I had my reservations. After a sip, my worries subsided because it was a lovely cocktail with a pleasant mouthfeel and the right amount of elderflower notes.
“Drinks aside, I was excited and curious to see what was on the food menu since Ping was given full creative freedom in the creation of the recipes. She shared that it was not an easy feat as the bites had to match well with the cocktails and there was no hot kitchen on-site to make freshly cooked dishes. Since there are only four items on the small bites menu, I didn’t have high expectations. But after I had a bite of the Micro Signature Nuts, Roast Duck Bergedil, and Crab on Toast, I kept going back for more.
“All in all, I’m looking forward to coming back to try the other cocktails along with the delicious small bites with some close friends. The team at Bar Micro made me feel welcomed and it felt like a cosy nook to escape to after a busy day.” —Lung Kye Lin, Senior Lifestyle Writer
Address: Unit LG2-09, The OOAK Suites and Residence @ Kiara 163, 5, Jalan Kiara 4, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 011 1218 5950
Opening hours: 5PM to 11.30PM daily
3. REMEDY COCKTAIL BAR
View this post on Instagram
Opening its doors in December 2022, this modern watering hole in Taman Paramount wants to offer a remedy to dull nights with its classick cocktails, vibrant hospitality and jazzy music. Crafted by Head Bartender Joshen Chew, the specials menu comprises unique libations such as Asian Tai Tai and Mayfield Bergamot. There’s also a decent selection of wines and spirits including brandy, gin, whisky, vodka, and more.
View this post on Instagram
Address: 11A, Jalan 20/7, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 6PM to 12AM, Mondays to Thursdays (except Tuesday) | 6PM to 2AM (Fridays & Saturdays)
Contact: 017 781 7110
4. RAKH
View this post on Instagram
Rākh makes its debut as the bar counterpart to the contemporary Indian restaurant, Jwala, serving cocktails with primarily Indian inspirations and ingredients. Its name is inspired by the Urdu word for ashes, reflecting its fiery sister establishment. Calling itself “Asia’s first culinary cocktail bar”, Rākh offers an array of innovative tipples infused with spices and syrups in laboratory-esque vacuum distillers and glassware. Decked with a long terrazzo bar counter and ample seating space, this new joint promises a novel drinking experience for the curious.
Address: E-1-01, Level 1, Block E, The Five, Kompleks Pejabat Damansara, E-1-01, Level 1 The Block E, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 5PM to 1AM, Sunday to Thursday | 6PM to 2AM, Friday & Saturday
Contact: 017 617 3930
5. REDAMANCY KL
View this post on Instagram
Nestled in Menara Ken TTDI, Redamancy welcomed patrons beginning November last year to its chic, industrial space spanning 5,330 sq ft. Furnished with contemporary grey sofa sets matching the concrete walls, this sophisticated bar also features a live band performance on certain evenings. Come for fun cocktails and stay for the classy atmosphere.
View this post on Instagram
Address: Level 1, Menara Ken TTDI, 37, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 4PM to 2AM, Monday to Saturday
Contact: 017 991 1266
6. BAR HANAREYA
If you’re a fan of sake cocktails, then the trip to Setia Alam may be worthwhile for a taste of Bar Hanareya’s potions. The neighbourhood’s first sake cocktail bar specialises in otsumami (Japanese snacks and dishes eaten alongside alcohol) and sake from across Japan, offering clean blends for a pleasant evening. Heartier dishes such as udon and okonomiyaki are also available on the menu to fill up bigger appetites.
View this post on Instagram
Address: 21-1, Jln Setia Dagang AJ U13/AJ, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
Opening hours: 5.30PM to 12AM, Tuesdays to Sundays
Contact: 017 607 9587
7. TE AMO KL
Introducing Changkat’s latest speakeasy, hidden away behind a locked door (you’ll need a code to enter) at the top of a decorated flight of stairs. Operated by The Olive Tree Group, Te Amo boasts extravagant Shanghai-themed interiors complete with magnificent chandeliers, velvet chairs and colourful murals. The drinks here are just as vibrant and presentable, ranging from classic to house signature options. In addition, there’s a plethora of Asian-inspired and East-meets-West dishes, on top of a selection of cigars to pair with the drinks.
View this post on Instagram
Address: Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur (good luck searching!)
Opening hours: 6PM to 3AM, Tuesdays to Sundays
Contact: +6012 521 1396
ICYMI: Here are 7 cocktail bars in 2022 that are worth a (re)visit
Find more bars to visit here.
| SHARE THE STORY | |
| Explore More |
