These five speakeasy bars sport some of the most delicious and creative cocktail concoctions to please your palate and senses.
The concept of the cocktail speakeasy bar has become a norm amidst the night-life scene in Kuala Lumpur the last few years, as dozens of new cocktail bars have seen to mushroom across the city.
The draw of a “hidden” speakeasy bar, inspired by the hidden bars that were established in America during the Prohibition era in the 1920s, has attracted the young and old alike to explore a classier way of enjoying a good drink. The lure of a stylish establishment and not-so-obvious bar entrances are not the only draw, of course.
These speakeasy bars sport some of the most delicious and creative cocktail concoctions to please your palate and senses. There are the famous and well-traversed cocktail bars that most of the public is aware of. So in celebration of all things hidden, here are five suggestions of under-the-radar cocktail bars around KL to check out.
Locker and Loft
Tucked away in an upstairs shoplot in Damansara Kim, Locker and Loft is a copper-covered bar that incorporates fresh local herbs, spices and fruits into its cocktails. Hidden behind its distinctive copper door, this cosy and stylish cocktail bar also features a full dining menu sporting fusion dishes such as char siew pork ribs, and kesum leaf pasta. Music played includes tunes like funk, soul, jazz and house tunes. The bar also has an extensive selection of cocktails that feature an array of uniquely paired ingredients to suit most palates. Give this bar a try next time you’re in the Damansara Kim area. W lockerandloft.com
The Deceased KL
Nestled in Chinatown, this unique speakeasy bar is complete with the spooks and the scares, featuring cocktails inspired by Southeast Asian ghosts like the Pontianak and the Toyol. Complete with skull cups and other fear-inducing cocktail designs, the Deceased is a must-visit for those who enjoy a ghoulish alcohol adventure. Those who are faint at heart can rest easy, as there is an option to order spook-free meals from the Mingle Cafe just below the bar. W facebook.com/thedeceasedkl
Mrs Jones’ Parlour
Another cocktail bar gem tucked away in an unsuspecting shop lot in Section 17, just above a cafe called “Tujoh” is a cosy and comfortable joint called Mrs Jones’ Parlour. Specializing in gin-based cocktails, this bar has concoctions that not only look good, but taste good as well. The bar has an old-school homey feel with flooring and window panes that were typical in shop lots in Petaling Jaya from decades ago. This old-school feel is mixed in with nuances of new-age and modern decor and sweet, musical tunes to match. W facebook.com/MJonesParlour
Happy Stan
A new cocktail bar on the block, Happy Stan, is located on Jalan Medan Setia 1 in Bukit Damansara. A unique project by VCR and Karl, this cocktail bar specializes in none other than… cocktails with coffee. Yes,that’s correct. With favourites such as the Cold Irish Coffee and Nitro Espresso Martini, this cocktail venue will have you up all night. Stan – short for Stanton Delaplane, is the person who inspired the birth of this cocktail bar, as he introduced the Irish Coffee to the owner of Buena Vista cafe in the United States. Pop over to this coffee cocktail haven next time you’re in the Bukit Damansara area and fill yourself up with some caffeine goodness. W happystan.my
Circa Bar KL
Hidden in back alley in Plaza Batai, Bukit Damansara, Circa Bar sports the feel of an underground cocktail sanctuary, replete with brick walls and an inviting ambiance. Once you ascend the spiral staircase leading to the bar, you will need a weekly pass code to enter the doors, in true hidden bar fashion. Some of the popular and unique cocktail mixes include the Edison cocktail, which features butterfly pea with Kantan infused gin, rose extract, and cane syrup, as well as the Yuan Dynasty cocktail, a warm brew of Hennessy VSOP, oolong tea, and Osmanthus syrup marinated in orange peel and pandan leaf. W circabarkl.com
(Photos: Respective establishments)
