10 Best Bars in KL You Should Try in 2024: Acclaimed Bars + Exciting Newcomers
Try them out before 2024 ends!
2024-03-28
By
Kuala Lumpur has no shortage of bars, but finding hangout spots with characters can be tricky. We’ve rounded up some of the best bars in Kuala Lumpur right now, from acclaimed bars shaking up the cocktail scene to laid-back newcomers making their mark. Whether you’re in the mood for a swanky rooftop bar or a cosy speakeasy, we’ve got you covered. So sit back, relax, and let us take you on a boozy tour of KL’s finest watering holes. Try them out before 2024 ends!
Popular tiki bar renowned for creative tropical cocktails.
Ranked #42 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020.
Photo: Junglebird’s Instagram
Prepare for a tropical trip without leaving the city. JungleBird is an award-winning tiki bar filled with hanging greenery and bamboo decor. The island vibes set the scene for creative cocktails starring fresh fruits and spices — like their namesake Jungle Bird gin cocktail or sharing-sized Scorpion and Volcano Bowls.
Photo: Junglebird’s Instagram
Lounge in the leafy courtyard or on rattan furniture and kick back with friends over a few rounds, with island-time happy hours until 8pm daily. It’s no wonder JungleBird has topped lists of KL’s best bars, with a taste of the tropics and beachy escape that starts with the first sip.
Best bars in KL: JungleBird
Instagram: @junglebirdbar Address: 15, Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur (Google Map) Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 5pm-1am; Fri: 5pm-2am; Sat: 3pm-2am; Sun: 3pm-1am Signature cocktails: Jungle Bird (gin, Campari, pineapple, lime), Scorpion Bowl (white rum, brandy, fruit juices), Volcano Bowl (rum, gin, tequila, fruit juices; served flaming with sparklers) Average prices: RM25 – RM35 per cocktail
2. Bar Trigona
Elegant bar focusing on mixology and Malaysian ingredients.
Voted as one of the Best Bars in Asia at Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2017 and 2018.
You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but behind that old-school facade is a glam cellar hangout. Low-lit with chandeliers, the bar serves up killer cocktails and tasty sharing plates with the best local and international flavours.
Recognized as one of the best bars in Kuala Lumpur, Bar Trigona offers an unbeatable combination: the finest cocktails and an enviable space. Why go anywhere else when you can cosy up in their seductive lounge or unwind in the idyllic al fresco courtyard? Whether you’re after a romantic evening or a relaxing night with friends, Bar Trigona delivers with style and skill.
Best bars in KL: Bar Trigona
Instagram: @bartrigona Address: 2, Jalan Hang Tuah, City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Google Map) Opening hours: Daily 3pm-2am Signature cocktails: Original creations featuring Malaysian flavours and premium spirits Average prices: RM30 – RM40 per cocktail
3. PS150
Stylish speakeasy ranked #20 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020.
Serve innovative cocktails in an intimate space with vintage decor.
Photo: PS150 on Facebook
Slip behind an unmarked steel door into PS150, a speakeasy whisking you back to the Prohibition era. Once inside, red lighting and vintage furnishings evoke the glamour and grit of the Roaring Twenties.
Have a yum cha session with PS150’s afternoon tea menu with tea-pot cocktails, available from 4-7pm daily. Photo: PS150 on Facebook.
Sit back and watch mixologists craft creative drinks with avant-garde flair or order fanciful concoctions like the Spring Blossom (gin, apple, jasmine). The intimate space is perfect for lively nights that never end. Lounge in plush booths with sultry live jazz sets on Tuesday nights. Whether trying something new or sticking to an old favourite, PS150’s compelling drinks and atmosphere make the experience as intoxicating as the libations.
Best bars in KL: PS150
Instagram: @ps150.kl Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (Google Map) Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 5pm-1am; Fri: 3pm-1am; Sat: 3pm-1am; closed Sun Signature cocktails: Spring Blossom (gin, apple, jasmine), Peppered Gin Fizz, and other avant-garde cocktails Average prices: RM25 – RM35 per cocktail
4. Coley
Contemporary cocktail bar with jungle-themed decor, serving avant-garde drinks.
Ranked #41 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020.
Photo: Coley on Facebook
Coley’s where to go when you crave top-notch cocktails in a tropical escape. Duck behind a neon door into a chic jungle with verdant walls and rattan vodka couches. Because downing Chili-Cocoa Margaritas and Coconut Malfy Gin Fizzes is arduous work, they have 4-8pm happy hours daily.
Photo: Coley on Facebook
Recognized as one of Asia’s best bars, Coley brings world-class drinks and design within reach. Whether perched at the long bar or sunken lounge, this KL hideaway, with its understated elegance, invites endless conversation and nights that never seem to end.
Best bars in KL: COLEY
Instagram: @coleylumpur Address: 2, Jalan Hang Tuah, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (Google Map) Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 6pm-1am; Fri-Sat: 6pm-2am; closed Sun Signature cocktails: Chili-Cocoa Margarita, Coconut Malfy Gin Fizz, and other contemporary cocktails featuring fresh ingredients and botanical infusions Average prices: RM25 – RM35 per cocktail
5. The Vault
3-Storey underground bar in a historic bank vault.
Best Newcomer at Kuala Lumpur Bar Awards 2020.
The Vault’s jaw-dropping design rewrites the rules of bars. This newcomer bar is housed in a former bank vault with concrete and steel as the raw materials. The towering ceilings and gleaming safety deposit boxes add flair to the raw, edgy atmosphere. Prepare to be entertained with their weekly open mic and ladies’ nights.
The Vault’s bartenders are shaking up KL’s cocktail scene. Their seasonal mixes harness local flavours in ways the city’s never seen. With The Vault already touted as one of Asia’s bars to watch, a spot on their menu is the golden ticket — or leave it to these bar stars to conjure a cocktail destined for greatness.
Best bars in KL: The Vault
Instagram: @thevaultkl Address: 5, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50480 (Google Map) Opening hours: Wed-Sun: 5pm-2am; Closed Mon-Tues Signature cocktails: Boba Girl (naked grouse, rose tea, condensed milk, walnut bitters, boba pearl) Average prices: RM25 – RM35 per cocktail
6. Suzie Wong
Glamourous cocktail bar with old Hong Kong-inspired design and rooftop lounge featuring skyline views.
Won Best Bar and Best Interior Design at the 2019 KL awards, serving Pan-Asian infused cocktails and bites.
Behind a red door lies a decadent hideaway channelling 1960s Hong Kong, bringing to life the glamour and allure of its cinematic namesake. Cinematic stills and luxe booths set the scene for vino and imaginative cocktails watching the city sparkle below.
East meets West in Suzie Wong’s bar bites, from salted egg yolk crab croquettes to taro croquettes. Peppering events from DJs to dinner soirées, the Suzie in the Sky rooftop seduces with cabana seating and cityscape views. Recent award wins for Best Bar and Design cement Suzie Wong’s rep as a vintage-style escape.
Best bars in KL: SUZIE WONG
Instagram: @suziewongasia Address: Ground Floor, Wisma Lim Foo Yong, 86, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Google Map) Opening hours: Wed-Sun: 6pm-1am; Sunday: 2-5pm; Closed Mon-Tue Signature cocktails: The Temptress (Belvedere vodka, Chambord, cranberry & lime); Like Water for Chocolate (El Jimador reposado tequila, Ancho Reyes chili liqueur, hibiscus, lime & agave) Average prices: RM30-RM45 per cocktail
7. Pahit
Contemporary tropical-themed bar featuring intricately garnished cocktails.
By the same founder of Coley; ranked number 78 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Pahit translates to “bitter,” but this late-night drinkery is all about bold taste. Experimental forest-foraged cocktails and native spirits fuel a barkeep powwow for cravings from the unpronounceable to mezcal. Not outdone, the kitchen gives ‘bar bite’ an activist edge: jackfruit tacos with kerabu zing and seaweed/anchovy taro crisps with devotees’ approval.
Drop by Pahit from 7pm for sleek drinks and eats. Late nights bring house-infused rum and off-menu items for regulars. With innovative flavours and 2019’s Best Cocktail Menu win, Pahit is the unforgettable spot for cutting-edge nightlife.
Best bars in KL: PAHIT
Instagram: @barpahit Address: 3, Jln Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Google Map) Opening hours: Tue-Fri: 5pm-1am; Sat-Sun: 3pm-1am; Closed on Mon Signature cocktails: Gin Pahit, Bird Dance, Honey Dew Average prices: RM30-RM50 per cocktail
8. The Attic Bar
One of the best cocktail bars in Kuala Lumpur by Time Out KL in 2016 and 2017.
A hidden rooftop bar with panoramic city views 33 floors above the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Photo: @ojdarren on Instagram
How’s a bird’s-eye view of KL’s skyline with cocktails to match? Head 33 floors up to The Attic Bar for a spectacular vista of Kuala Lumpur. The Attic Bar has won Best Cocktail Bar from Time Out KL since 2016, thanks to expertly mixed drinks.
Crowd-favorite crispy sweet potato croquettes and European platters of smoked meats, roast pears and manchego cheese are perfect with sunset views and live music. For stargazing dates or big groups, The Attic Bar delivers an unbeatable night out and Kuala Lumpur’s best cocktails.
Best bars in KL: The Attic Bar
Instagram: @theatticbarkl Address: Level 33, Mercu Summer Suites, 172 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (Google Map) Opening hours: Sun-Thu: 3pm-1am; Fri-Sat: 3pm-2am; Closed Mon Signature cocktails: Pine-smoked Negroni, Nutmilk Sazerac Average prices: RM40-RM55 per cocktail
9. Marini’s on 57
Kuala Lumpur’s iconic rooftop bar and Italian restaurant.
World’s 50 Best Bars by Drinks International (2016 and 2017).
On the 57th floor of Petronas Tower 3, Marini’s on 57 offers breathtaking city skyline views. This high-end bar and restaurant is perfect for a special occasion or a romantic night out. There’s nothing quite like sipping on a perfectly crafted cocktail while taking in the stunning scenery of Kuala Lumpur from 57 floors up.
It’s not just the jaw-dropping views that keep customers returning to Marini’s on 57. With an extensive selection of wines, cocktails, and fine spirits, Marini’s on 57 is here to lift your spirits to towering heights.
Serving creative Pisco-based cocktails and South American small plates.
Ranked #20 in Malaysia’s Top 30 Bars Awards 2022.
Photo: Pisco KL on Instagram
Located in the bustling Bukit Bintang neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur, Pisco Bar is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of Peruvian culture and excellent cocktails.
This urban oasis is known for its creative Pisco-based drinks and vibrant atmosphere. Hungry? With a modern twist that will impress even the most discerning palate, get ready to savour the amazing Peruvian-inspired dishes, such as the classic ceviche and empanadas.
Photo: Pisco KL on Instagram
Pisco Bar regularly hosts events like cocktail masterclasses and live music nights. Together with its whimsical decor and cosy atmosphere, the space is perfect for intimate gatherings and casual drinks with friends.
Best bars in KL: Pisco Bar
Instagram: @pisco_kl Address: 29, Jln Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Google Map) Opening hours: Sun-Thu: 5pm-1am; Fri-Sat: 5pm-2am Signature cocktails: Pisco Sour (Pisco brandy, lime, syrup, egg white and bitters) Average prices: RM30-RM50 per cocktail
Which rooftop bars should I check out in 2024?
Suzie Wong and The Attic Bar are two of the most notable bars in KL. They both have a rooftop seating area (full article).
Which bars in KL have unique decors?
The Vault is an underground bar built in a historic bank vault; Bar Trigona is a cellar with glamourous chandeliers.
