There’s simply nothing better than a good cup of latte (or matcha), walking around town, and conversations with friends in order to wind down and recharge for the week. However, the hype for cafes tends to get monotonous over time. The same menu, the same pastries – they can all feel rather repetitive. This is where themed cafes shine. Let’s look at six cafes with different themes that you can try for your next cafe hunting session.
Vinyl cafe: Eternyl Vinyl, Petaling Jaya
Stepping into Eternyl Vinyl is like sinking into a dreamy, memory foam-filled couch. The dimmed amber lights wrap you with a warm and cosy feeling, while the crisp sound of the vinyl brings out the harmony and vocal stems that you could not have caught on your casual music platform listens. Their vinyl selection ranges from pop like Taylor Swift and R&B like The Weekend to even film soundtracks like Wicked. The cafe experience and the listening fee (RM30 per person) are totally worth all the posts you see online.
Address: 7‑1, Jalan 21/11b, Sea Park, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Reservation: eternylvinylcafe.guestplan.io
Opening hours: 1pm – 10pm, Tuesday – Sunday
I @eternylvinyl
Cat cafe: Monster A Garden, Pasar Seni
What more pleasant way is there to spend your weekend than to look at and play with a bunch of cute, furry babies? Hop over to Monster A Garden at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, where they have cats of various breeds, sizes, and cuteness levels for all the cat lovers. Though the cafe is always full, the waiting time is rather short. If you’re lucky, you might get there when they’re giving treats to the cats.
Address: No. 54, 1st Floor, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am – 7.30pm, Monday – Sunday (except Tuesday)
I @monster.a.garden.cafe.kl
School cafe: Shimokita Space, Subang Jaya
Old school is the new cool, and Shimokita Space is proof. The Muslim-friendly cafe is brimming with school tables, blackboards, and vintage computers that will relive the nostalgia of school days. Food wise, they are widely known for their excellent cheeseburger and butterbeer, and this writer can vouch for it.
Address: 94, Jalan SS 15/4b, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 3pm – 11pm, Tuesday – Sunday
I @shimokita.space
Board games cafe: Hetam, Damansara Perdana
If you are looking for a place to play board games without cramping in a sea of crowds like Puck’s Pasar Seni, try this cafe at Damansara Perdana instead. Hetam is the perfect choice for a chill night out, where people gather with no phone in sight – just good games, good drinks, and good vibes.
Address: Level G-A01-01, Menara Mustapha Kamal, Pj Trade Centre, Jalan PJU 8/8A, Bandar Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 8 am – 11pm (Monday – Thursday), 8am – 2pm (Friday), 12pm -2am (Saturday)
I @jomhetam
Car cafe: Togeya Cafe, Segambut
Inspired by the petrol station in Initial D, a Japanese street racing manga series, Togeya is the hotspot for anime fans and car enthusiasts. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for their upcoming events like pop-up car meetings, meet and greets with top racers, and more.
Address: 1471, Jln Kuching, Kampung Pasir Segambut, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 1pm – 1am (Monday – Thursday), 1pm – 2am (Friday – Sunday)
I @togeyavibes
Bonus: Lisette’s Coffee Club, Bangsar
This one is not technically a theme, but it is too good to be passed on. The only thing anyone would prefer more than the old-fashioned rave is a rave without the hangover. Let the caffeine-induced adrenaline be your drive instead with Lisette’s Coffee Club, where they hold coffee raves that rise in popularity this year. The rave is done almost every weekend; you can refer to their Instagram for any updates.
Address: No. 8, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8am – 9pm, Monday – Sunday
I @lisettes.my
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