Who doesn’t love a good drink?
Recently, the distinguished panel of judges at The Bar Awards revealed their Top 10s in Kuala Lumpur this year. Check out the places that made it to the top 10 best cocktail bars at this years’ awards. Honestly, we can’t wait to try out some of these spots!
1. Coley
Located in Bangsar, Coley Cocktail Bar offers a wide variety of unique cocktails, many of them with a local twist. Their must-try drink is the Hanky Panky, which is a blend of Ford’s gin, Genever, Red Vermouth, and Fernet Branca, garnished with an orange peel.
Source: Eat Drink KL
This is definitely the place to go if you’re into more adventurous cocktails, like one of their newer ones which has Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, soya bean milk, and cincau, or even their Whisky and Guava Bubble Tea!
Address: 8 Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar 59000
Opening hours: 5.00pm to 1.00am (Closed on Sunday)
2. Omakase + Appreciate
Located in Jalan Ampang, Omakase + Appreciate is a speakeasy that creates amazing cocktails which are a blend of Japanese and Western ingredients, creating unique and amazing tastes that jolt the senses.
Earlier this year, it was also the only Malaysian bar to be listed in Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. So, it goes without saying that this is definitely the place to be!
Source: Hungry Go Where
One of the drinks we recommend is their Morchee Watchy cocktail, which is a blend of 12-year Dalmore whisky and Amaro Montenegro with lychee liquer, topped with a beautiful flower. Too pretty!
Address: Ampang Bangunan Ming Annexe, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 5.00pm to 1.00am; Saturday and Public Holidays: 9.00pm to 1.00am (Closed on Sunday and Monday)
3. PS150
PS150 is one of the more well-known bars on this list, and it has a super original theme to boot! Located near KL’s China town, this bar is divided into three sections to symbolise three different eras in Indochina’s history. Their cocktail menu is also divided according to different eras, so you can time travel through drinks!
One of this bar’s must-tries definitely has to be their Lychee No.3, which is a simple yet delicious blend of London dry gin, lychee, lime, and ginger flower.
Source: The Yum List
Address: 150, Ground Floor, Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur City Center, Kuala Lumpur 50000
Opening hours: 6.00pm to 2.00am daily
4. Junglebird
This tropical-themed cocktail bar is the perfect place to unwind after a long day at work.
JungleBird serves up a wide variety of unique and delicious cocktails, so it’s not surprising to see them make this prestigious list either!
One of the drinks we definitely recommend is Vic’s Mai Tai. It’s a delicious, citrus-flavoured cocktail served in a cute little copper bucket topped with colourful fruits. This drink uses Appleton Estate’s Rare Blend, a 12-year-old rum imported from Singapore that melds beautifully with the other citrus and apple flavours. Take it from us, it’s really good!
Address: 5, Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 5.00pm to 3.00am; other days: 5.00pm to 1.00am
5. Pahit
Famous for their gin, Pahit serves up a variety of refreshingly delicious cocktails that are perfect for a hot day. Located in Jalan Sin Chew Kee, it’s run by one of the founders of Coley, another entry in this year’s top 10 cocktail bars in Kuala Lumpur.
Source: Instagram
We recommend trying their simple lychee and ginger flower gin cocktail, which tastes refreshingly sweet with a hint of spice.
Address: 3, Jalan Sin Chew Kee Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5.00pm to 1.00am (Closed on Monday)
6. HYDE
HYDE at 53M also makes it to this year’s top 10 cocktail bars. Their cocktails are definitely delicious, unique and quirky, drawing in all kinds of people to have a taste!
If you decide to pay them a visit, definitely try out their Saint Croix Virgin Islands cocktail, which comes in a bird-shaped glass filled with a unique blend of Bank’s 5 Island Rum, fresh lemon juice, pineapple juice, and simple syrup. Plus, the glass sits on a cute little nest! How cute!
Source: HYDE at 53M
Address: 53, Jalan SS 21/1a, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 5.00pm to 2.00am; Fridays and Saturdays: 5.00pm to 3.00am
7. The Bar Kinugawa
Located in Empire Damansara, The Bar Kinugawa offers a wide variety of Japanese cocktails that are seemingly simple, but have been carefully and painstakingly crafted.
One of their signature cocktails is the Sake Nashi, which is a delicious mix of junmai sake, pear juice, lemon, olive oil and blue curacao. The ice used in all their cocktails reportedly takes three days to produce to ensure that they are free of bubbles are as perfect as possible.
Source: Eat Drink KL
Definitely check this place out if you’re looking for a zen cocktail experience!
Address: 112, Empire Damansara, Heritage Lane, No. 2, Jalan PJU 8/8A, Damansara Perdana Petaling Jaya
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 6.00pm to 3.00am (Closed on Sunday)
8. Coppersmith
Coppersmith at Troika Sky Dining is definitely one of the fancier places on this list that’s known for their extremely innovative and amazing-looking cocktails.
One of their drinks we recommend trying is the Copper Fairies cocktail, which is a unique mix of blueberry and black pepper syrup, lime juice, tequila, sparkling wine topped with a beautiful net of salted caramel. Just look how beautiful this drink is!
Source: Facebook
Address: Level 23a, The Troika, 19 Persiaran KLCC Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 5.00pm to 1.00am daily
9. The Locker & Loft
Known for its delicious cocktails that have a local twist, it’s no surprise to see The Locker & Loft among the top 10 best cocktail bars in the city!
If you ever drop by, one drink you should definitely try is their Bang Pow, which is a blend of hibiscus-infused gin, homemade rose syrup, Creme de Cassis, lime juice, and egg white. Its unique taste will definitely leave you wanting more.
Source: Instagram
Address: 40A, Jalan SS 20/10, Damansara Kim, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor 47400
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 5.00pm to 1.00am; Sunday: 12.30pm to 12.00am (Closed on Monday)
10. The Pawn Room
Interested in some original cocktails set against an oriental backdrop? Then, The Pawn Room sounds like the place for you!
With beautiful vintage oriental Malaysian decor, this speakeasy serves up a wide variety of unique cocktails. If you’re in the mood for a very unique drink, try their Chinese Cinderella.
Source: The Yum List
Served in an adorable little tea cup, this cocktail is a mix of liquorice, black dates, Tio Pepe Fino En Rama Sherry, Carpano Bianco Vermouth, and elderflower liqueur. Plus, it’s served warm! Perfect for those rainy days!
Address: 46B, Second Floor, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur 60000
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 5.00pm to 1.00am; Friday and Saturday: 5.00pm to 3.00am (Closed on Sunday)
So, there you have it! The 10 bars that were awarded the best cocktail bars in KL this year. See how many of these places you can visit this year!
Also read: 11 Speakeasies in Klang Valley You Need To Try At Least Once!
