Bored with the same old bar outings? Perhaps speakeasy bars might rejuvenate your senses and tastes. These types of bars are nothing new and one of their distinct characteristics is their purposefully obscure locations, making them fun to look for. Here, we round up our pick of the Top 10 speakeasy bars worth visiting in KL & Selangor.
1) Suzie Wong
Welcome to the world of Suzie Wong, a sneakily-tucked speakeasy bar on the ground floor of Wisma Lim Foo Yong in Jalan Raja Chulan. Once you are in, prepare to be immersed by its East-meets-West decor with the distinct styling reminiscent of the old 1950s Hong Kong bar. A blast from the past aside, Suzie Wong covers a wide range of drink menus from the bottle selections (e.g. brandy, whisky and champagnes) to signature cocktails. For the latter, take a sip at one of their alcoholic concoctions such as Mei Ling (Hennessy VSOP, Amara Montenegro & homemade ginger beer) and Salted Rosa Sake (homemade infused gin with rose, lychee liqueur, sake & seaweed).
suziewong.asia | FB: suziewongasia | IG: @suziewongasia
2) PS150
The facade of an old-school toy shop located in the pre-war shop lots awaits you to discover a speakeasy bar. Once you find the entrance, leading to a corridor that will take you to the main bar of PS150. There’s a courtyard and even booths for two persons. And for drinks, the schoolbook-style menu offers plenty of signature cocktails to try here. There’s the refreshing Salty Chinaman — a concoction of preserved lemon vodka, preserved lemon peel, lime juice with orange bitters and Sprite. If you prefer something tropical to light up your night, try Rumble in the Jungle. Others such as the Age of Blossoms offer a floral taste while the Tropical Childhood Snack combines spicy-sour ingredients mixed with sake and vodka.
3) Vice Circa
True to its speakeasy nature, gaining access to Vice Circa within Plaza Batai requires a passcode to unlock the door. Once you are done, the bar welcomes you with its dim lighting and intimate interior space. They have well-stocked drinks, offering plenty of cocktails and bar bites. The house music enlivens the atmosphere while Vice Circa is a good spot if you plan to organise a party. For RSVP, just give them a call at 014-726 2474.
FB: vicecirca | IG: @vicecirca
4) The Locker & Loft
The Damansara Kim neighbourhood is where The Locker & Loft is, hidden in an unassuming shophouse. The interior brings out the vibes of a cosy bar with a wide choice of drinks. Whiskies, cognacs, brandies and vodkas, just to name a few. Not to mention interesting cocktail selections from Jambulah! (slow-pressed green guava juice, gin, lemon juice, Peychaud Bitters & agave syrup) to the locally-inspired Kaya Mon with Cuban dark rum, kaya, coconut water & santan. Hungry? Don’t worry, though as The Locker & Loft offers comfort foods such as Smoked Duck Aglio Olio, hand-battered L&L Fish & Chips and house-special Chicken Rendang/Pork Belly Nasi Lemak, both of which are available only on Fridays and Saturdays.
FB: lockerandloft | IG: @lockerandloft
5) The Attic Bar
Beyond the Travel Hub Guesthouse lies a hidden speakeasy called The Attic Bar. The journey of going there alone is an adventure itself, which leads you from the first floor to the old wooden spiral staircase. Inside the bar, you will be greeted by its eclectic decor filled with exposed brick walls, red lanterns and hanging birdcages up the ceiling. You can also choose the outside seating area, where you can enjoy the sight of the Kuala Lumpur cityscape. The Attic Bar knows a thing or two about mixing good cocktails, offering house selections from Dragon Lady (vodka, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lime & egg white) to Chen-Doll (white rum, ginger, lime, coconut cream & pandan syrup) and Guinness Tarik (Guinness, rum, sweetened milk & nutmeg with a dash of cinnamon).
atticbarkl.com | FB: theatticbarkl | IG: @theatticbarkl
6) Three X Co
The Bangsar Shopping Centre hides a speakeasy bar called Three X Co and getting there requires you to go up the third floor and look for an old-school barbershop facade. Inside, there’s a bar awaits you with its intimate, dimly lit setting. As for drinks, leave it to the co-owner and award-winning mixologist to concoct several imaginative cocktails. For instance, the bar’s signature Balik Pulau combines Hendrick’s with nutmeg, lemon and saline solution for a distinct taste of refreshingly nutty, rich and sour taste.
FB: threexco | IG: threexco_kl
7) 61 Monarchy
The bustling Damansara Uptown houses a hidden watering hole, 61 Monarchy with over 400 different varieties of whiskeys, all carefully sourced from around the world. Definitely a good place for whisky lovers who want to sip on something different than usual. Among them include a wide range of Japanese Single Malt and Blended Whisky selections. Or taste some of the independent bottling choices such as Adelphi Selection – AD, Auld Goonsy’s Malt – GWhL AGM and Duncan Taylor Octave Premium. Not a whisky lover? 61 Monarchy has other options from gins to rums, brandies, vodkas and wines.
FB: 61monarchy | IG: @61monarchy
8) HYDE at 53M
Here’s the HYDE at 53M brought to you by the same people behind 61 Monarchy. This intimate speakeasy bar setting welcomes you with its impressive array of whiskeys, gins, vodkas and more. Not to forget, their creative cocktail choices. There’s Penicillin Three Way, consisting of blended Scotch with ginger liqueur, ginger & honey, peated single malt, ginger candy & gold flakes. For something floral and fruity, try the Chinese fragrant pear-infused gin mixed with Fleur De Sureau, Dragon’s Eye-infused Dry Vermouth and white jasmine. If you prefer something strong and intense, ask for the Japnism’24 — a potent combination of house cognac blend with Sake Junmai Ginjo, house-made yuzu syrup, orange flower water, Japanese yuzu bitter & organic egg white.
9) Tickets
Beyond its unassuming office facade lies Tickets to an alcoholic paradise, complete with a thematic concept that changes annually. Take a seat, and relax with a drink or two as the bar offers everything from gins to rums, tequilas and vodkas from different brands. You can enjoy it by glass or order a whole bottle. Tickets also delight you with its cocktail options no matter if you prefer fruity, herbal, floral, spices or grains.
ticketskl.bar | FB: TicketsKLBar | IG: @ticketsklbar
10) Frank’s Bar
Take a step to the past or more specifically, the elegant New York-style speakeasy bar inspired by the late great Frank Sinatra. The music plays a crucial role here that gives Frank’s Bar a certain vibe. And the drinks? Well, they have plenty of cocktails here from Man(go)-Tango to Classic O’ Laddie, Coco de Vanille and Whipz a String — all of which have their own distinct taste characteristics.
frankskl.com | FB: franks.kualalumpur | IG: @franks.kl
That’s not all! More Top 10s in Malaysia are waiting to be discovered!
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