Best Bars in Kuala Lumpur 2019

KL Bars: The Best Bars in Kuala Lumpur

In recent years Kuala Lumpur has started to become more and more well known for its cocktail scene. With cocktail bars constantly popping up around the city, one thing is clear, that it is no longer difficult to find a good drink. Whether you’re looking for a mezcal negroni or the Malaysian native junglebird, there is always something for everyone. From Chinatown to the outskirts of Taman Tun, the creativity of these bars continue to astound.

Wit the rise of cocktail culture in Kuala Lumpur, bars have continued to raise their standards with more advanced techniques and flavours. From using rotavaps to clarifying in the traditional way, the bars have only gotten better and better. With some of these bars ranking amongst the Asia’s 50 Best Bars as well as some winning countless accolades at The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur, these are some of our favourite bars in Kuala Lumpur.

61 Monarchy

61 Monarchy specialises in whiskey, and its approach is more akin to the Japanese style of making cocktails. Located in Uptown Damansara, the simple bar on the first floor offers an impressive selection of whiskeys. Get a taste with their Brooklyn and for the classic cocktail fan, try their Vieux Carré.

50 Best Discovery
Bartender Of The Year (Shirmy Chan), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Specialist Concept Of The Year (Whisky), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Ambassador (Andrew Tan), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Ambassador (Shirmy Chan), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019

61 Monarchy
61, Jalan SS 21/1A,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor
+6017 680 1357

_{Courtesy of The Star Online}

Bar Trigona

Although quite newly opened, Bar Trigona which is located within the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur has caused quite the stir. This hotel bar that focuses on honey has been named the Ketel One Sustainable Award at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019, as well as winning Bar Of The Year at the Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur. Try the Trigona Old Fashioned, made with rye whiskey and served with a honeycomb and cedarwood bitters, and for those who like spirit forward cocktails, try the Bitter & Smoke for fans of fernet and mezcal. 

No. 40, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Ketel One Sustainable Award, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Hotel Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Specialist Concept Of The Year (Honey), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Bartender Of The Year (Ashish Sharma), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Joe Wee Kwong Ngui), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Shadrach Shan), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Ambassador (Ashish Sharma), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019   

Bar Trigona
Level 6,
Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
145, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur
+603 2382 8670

_{Courtesy of Options, The Edge}

Botakliquor Bar

Botakliquor is a bar located in Chinatown above the restaurant Chocha. This bar has a pretty relaxed vibe, with greenery all over. The bar is quite hidden and is only accessible through the restaurant below. The new menu experiments with local flavours and make interesting mixes such as the Kelapa, a fermented coconut based negroni and the Daun Kari, a pineapple milk pisco with curry leaves.

Botakliquor Bar
156, Jalan Petaling,
City Centre,
50000 Kuala Lumpur
+603 2022 1100

_{Courtesy of Timeout KL}

Coley Cocktail Bar

Coley’s is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular neighbourhood bar, which is located near Bangsar. The simple and easy-going bar consistently ranks at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars, highest this year at number 27, but also took home the Rising Star award (Kah Chun Pang) and the Hospitality Team Of The Year at The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019. Their most famous concoction is the Gin & Coconut, but also give their Whiskey & Bubble Tea, which is pretty self-explanatory. 

No. 27, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Rising Star (Kah Chun Pang), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Ambassador (Chee Kheong Kho), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Bartender Of The Year (Chee Kheong Kho), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

Coley Cocktail Bar
Jalan Bangsar,
6- G, Jalan Abdullah,
Bangsar Park,
59000 Kuala Lumpur
+6019 270 9179

_{Courtesy of Firstclasse}

Concubine KL

Concubine has not been around long, and is one of the new oriental-themed cocktail bars located in Chinatown. Although opened in under a year, they have been known to host some great nights and events, making it one of the more popular nightlife destinations. The bar is also known for its scenic backlane known as Kwai Chai Hong. Try the Roots, a turmeric and assam based cocktail and also a selection of their classics.

Concubine KL
 Lot 2, Jalan Panggong,
50000 Kuala Lumpur
+6014 711 2185

_{Courtesy of KL100}

JOLOKO

Joloko is an afro-carribean bar that is located in the Chow Kit area, and is known for its party nights. As the winner of the Restaurant Bar Of The Year at The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019, this agave bar serves up an eclectic mix of food, drink and dance. For those who prefer the smoke, try the Fuego Negro and for those who aren’t partial to agave, they have a decent selection of natural wines including Misha’s Vineyard.

Restaurant Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
50 Best Discovery
Top 10, Specialist Concept Of The Year (Agave), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019   

JOLOKO
43, Jalan Kamunting,
Chow Kit,
50300 Kuala Lumpur
+603 2694 1100

_{Courtesy of JungleBird}

JungleBird

Junglebird takes its name from the iconic Malaysian cocktail, a tiki cocktail with rum as its base. Located in Damansara Heights, this heavy hitter of a bar has won many accolades, including placing at Asia’s 50 Best Bars and winning two awards and countless nominations at The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur. To experience their new menu which carries Malaysian flavours, try the Nyonya Business for an umami rojak cocktail or the Strawberries & Cream, made from strawberries and BOH tea, essentially Cameron Highlands in a cup.

No. 44, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Hospitality Ambassador (Joshua Ivanovic), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Specialist Concept Of The Year (Rum), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Ahmed Al Imran), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (Joshua Ivanovic), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

JungleBird
15M, Jalan Medan Setia 1,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur
+603 2011 5715

_{Courtesy of Timeout}

Omakase + Appreciate

Omakase + Appreciate is one of the oldest cocktail bars that is still currently running in Kuala Lumpur. Located within the Ming Annexe, this bar is one of the original speakeasies in KL. As they do not have a set menu generally, its suggested that you let the bar recommend you a drink. However, try their Espresso Martini and their Manhattan, two of their more impressive drinks.

50 Best Discovery
Top 4, Bartender Of The Year (Shawn Chong), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Ambassador (Shawn Chong), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019   

Omakase + Appreciate
Level UG,
Bangunan Ming Annexe,
9, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur,
50100 Kuala Lumpur
+603 2022 2238

_{Courtesy of Eat Drink KL}

Pahit

Pahit is located in the Bukit Bintang area near the Police Headquarters and is considered as one of the best gin bars in Kuala Lumpur. The bar offers a chic and chilled environment in a rustic setting. They offer over 80 types of gin, so give their gin and tonics a try. Go for their wide selection of Gin & Tonics or their signature Gin Pahit.

50 Best Discovery
Top 4, Specialist Concept Of The Year (Gin), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

Pahit
3, Jalan Sin Chew Kee,
Bukit Bintang,
50150 Kuala Lumpur
+603 2110 0776

_{Courtesy of PS150}

PS150

PS150 is a bar located in Chinatown and is known as quite a famous tourist destination. It’s oriental theme makes it aesthetically pleasing and is perfect for a night out. As they are one of the bars that have a monthly Bartender’s Choice, it can change all the time, so do consider that on your next visit.

Top 4, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Harry Rusho Hasan), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

PS150
150, Jalan Petaling,
50000 Kuala Lumpur
+603 7622 8777

_{Courtesy of Tatler Malaysia}

Skullduggery

Skullduggery is one of Kuala Lumpur’s fantastic night scene bars that is generally patronised by the locals who live in Damansara Heights. This bar has quite an impressive selection of cocktails, including the San Junipero, a beautiful gin and wine reduction concoction, and the Tantric Tommy, a variation of the Tommy’s Margarita. 

50 Best Discovery
Top 10, Rising Star (Abel Sukal), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

Skullduggery
2M,
Plaza Damansara,
Jalan Medan Setia 2,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur
+6014 629 2044

_{Courtesy of EatDrinkKL}

Soma Cocktail Bar

Soma is located on the second floor of a shop lot in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) and is fairly new to the scene. Although new, don’t take this bar lightly as they won the New Bar Of The Year at The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019. The drinks are focused on local flavours, with some standouts including the Zen Green Tea, a gin, sour plum and aloe vera cocktail and their alcoholic Tau Fu Fah, a home-made bean curd pudding rum dessert cocktail. 

New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (Jason Julian), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019   

Soma Cocktail Bar
145A, Jalan Aminuddin Baki,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur
+6011 3669 0879

_{Courtesy of Robb Report}

Three X Co

Three x Co is one of the more understated bars for its level of quality and elegance. The speakeasy that masquerades as a barber is one of Kuala Lumpur’s best kept secrets. Located within the Bangsar Shopping Centre, the hidden cocktail bar’s oriental themed menu is delicious and makes great homages to the Asian culture. Try their Eastern Poem for a chrysanthemum gin and pei pa koa cough syrup cocktail and their Paloma with Sal de Gusano for that smoky refreshing grapefruit drink.

50 Best Discovery
Top 4, Hospitality Ambassador (Angeline Tan), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, Hospitality Team Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Rising Star (Chris Boon Xiang Ang), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (David Hans), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

Three X Co
Level 3,
Bangsar Shopping Centre,
285, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar,
59000 Kuala Lumpur
+6019 336 6031

_{Courtesy of Lifestyle Asia}

Tickets Bar

Tickets is one of the latest addition to the bar scene and is located at Republik, Damansara Heights. The bar is themed like a theatre which changes its shows every 6 to 8 months. Tickets is currently showcasing its agave theme, Maguey. This bar is a must visit, and that’s if you base it on its aesthetics alone, but do give their highly recommended Paloma a try, as well as the Melons From The Ashes, made with mezcal and melon.

Top 4, Specialist Concept Of The Year (Agave), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Creative Cocktail Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

Tickets Bar
G05A,
Ground Floor,
Republik Damansara,
1, Jalan Medan Setia 1,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur
+603 7622 8765

_{Courtesy of Marriot International}

WET Deck

The WET Deck is located at the W hotel Kuala Lumpur and is a poolside bar. Located on the 12^th floor, the view of the Petronas Twin Towers is stunning but what makes this place really stand out is the cocktail menu, all inspired by local flavours with a serious kick. Try the Ketayap Colada, a cocktail made from mezcal, coconut, pandan and gula melaka, as well as the Suda Tuak Ka, a rum, tuak and banana cocktail served in a coconut. 

Top 4, Hotel Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 4, New Bar Of The Year, The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Hospitality Ambassador (Rizal Junior Joe Utto), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019
Top 10, Bartender Of The Year (Rizal Junior Joe Utto), The Bar Awards Kuala Lumpur 2019 

WET Deck
12^th Floor,
W Kuala Lumpur,
121, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur
+603 2786 8888

For our related Kuala Lumpur series, see our Best Bars Kuala Lumpur.
For our related series, see our Best Bars.