Malaysians love a good cocktail. These best hidden speakeasy bars in KL and Selangor aren’t the easiest to find, but promise to yield some of the best cocktails. Bookmark this list for your next trip.
If you’re traipsing over the causeway for the weekend and crave a good drink and even better time, the Klang Valley plays host to a string of treasure-map-worthy watering holes that are sure to delight tipple adventurers who want to trek off the beaten path. Of course, the raison d’etre of hidden speakeasy bars stems from a courageous spirit to begin with, given the context from which these once clandestine establishments were born.
Historical records point to the American Prohibition Era, which began in 1922, as the flashpoint moment for the advent of the speakeasy. As its name would suggest, this period was characterised by the prohibition of the manufacture, distribution, and sale of liquid courage after the 18th Amendment was passed by Congress in 1917. Support for the ban was especially motivated by the temperance movement promoted within American Protestant circles at the time.
Of course, that did little to curb alcohol’s inherent appeal despite how the industry was effectively driven underground. Against the fear of prosecution, boldly enterprising businesspeople dubbed ‘bootleggers’ maintained their alcohol operations in secret to cater to demand, served in covert bars known as ‘speakeasies’. The etymology of the phrase remains rather muddied but some sources claim that patrons who longed for a sip of gogo juice once had to whisper the words ‘speak easy’ at the door to be granted entry into these premises.
There is no fear of prosecution when visiting a modern speakeasy bar today, but the enduring appeal of these hidden establishments continues to be the niche’s most vital asset. In the dauntless spirit of tracking down some of KL and Selangor’s best hidden speakeasies, here are our top bar recommendations to get your fix of tipples and adventure.
(Hero and featured image credit: @thefirstchapterspeakeasy/Instagram and @brooklynbarkl/Instagram)
Weekend trip ideas: The best hidden speakeasy bars in KL and Selangor
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61Monarchy
If you enjoy your speakeasy experience with a regal provenance, then 61Monarchy is the place to be. Hidden away on the second floor of a shoplot in Damansara Uptown, this plush establishment caters to whiskey aficionados of all levels and creeds, boasting a stunning collection of over 400 different drams hailing from traditional to contemporary distilleries alike. If you consider yourself fresh to the world of amber liquors, simply speak to the bar staff and try any of their recommended whiskey flights to discover your penchant.
What to order: The whisky sour, or one of the 400 different drams of whiskey
Operating hours: 5pm – 12am (Monday to Thursday), 5pm – 2am (Friday to Saturday, closed on Sunday).
Getting there: Alight from the TTDI MRT Station and take the free Starling Mall Shuttle to Starling Mall. Then proceed to walk 10 minutes to 61Monarchy.
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Skullduggery
Every city plays host to a few highly coveted bars that have minted their reputation off an impressive drinks menu and an inspired ambiance, coupled with a sense of elusive exclusivity. Plaza Damansara’s Skullduggery is one such establishment in Kuala Lumpur, serving as a great imitation of Paris’ famed Catacombs with its rows of ominous copper skulls that greet visitors at first glance. Brave their hollow stares however, and you’ll be rewarded in kind with drinks that border on alchemy, with a bartending team led by French-born globetrotter Viji Thomas. Expect unconventional ingredients such as truffle-infused vodka and seaweed agave in every sip.
What to order: ‘Deez Nutz & Jam’, essentially a deconstructed PB & J sandwich that’s led with Campari.
Operating hours: 4pm – 1am (Tuesday to Thursday), 4pm – 3am (Friday), 5pm – 3am (Saturday, closed on Sunday)
Getting there: Board the T818 or T852 bus and alight at the KL1170 Plaza Damansara stop, before walking 4 minutes to Skullduggery.
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Suzie Wong
While she may be fictitious, one can’t help but wonder if Suzie Wong has any relation with famed director Wong Kar Wai, given how her namesake bar appears to have been lifted off the set of his films. If you are successful in sussing out which nondescript door leads into this palatial palace of the East, you will find yourself amid the rich opulence of what appears to be an opium den from 19th-century Hong Kong. The scene is replete with private salons and even a raised pavilion for special guests, while the drinks menu boasts recipes with an Asian suggestion.
What to order: The ‘Uncle Wong Cendol’, inspired by the classic Malaysian dessert and created with pandan-infused vodka and coconut liquor.
Operating hours: 6pm – 1am (Wednesday to Saturday, closed from Sunday to Tuesday)
Getting there: Board the 02 GOKL bus and alight at the Wisma Foo Yoong stop, before walking 2 minutes to reach Suzie Wong.
(Image credit: @yoshiko_lifeistravel/Instagram)
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HYDE at 53M
Founded by the same folks behind 61 Monarchy, HYDE at 53M adopts the same tried-and-tested speakeasy formula, as expressed through a similarly lush approach to interior appointments here that are shared by its sister establishment. But its drinks menu is decidedly more playful and bold, willingly incorporating less conventional methods and ingredients with great verve. Better yet, if you don’t find anything you like on the menu, all you’ll have to do is describe your whims to the bartender and leave the rest up to chance. Consider this the more mischevious Mr Hyde to 61 Monarchy’s debonair Dr Jekyll.
What to order: ‘JAPONISM’24’, which combines a wealth of Japanese components ranging from yuzu bitters to Junmai Ginjo sake for a refreshing concoction.
Operating hours: 5pm – 12am (Sunday to Thursday, closed on Monday), 5pm – 2am (Friday and Saturday)
Getting there: Take the T813 bus and alight at Kommersial SS21/1A, before walking 2 minutes to HYDE at 53M.
(Image credit: HYDE at 53M/Facebook)
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The Attic Bar
If you find yourself wandering amid the many streets and alleyways in Chinatown, as one often does, then do yourself the favour of taking some time out to drop by The Attic Bar. In true Prohibition fashion, this speakeasy is hidden away on the topmost floor of an otherwise modest but popular tourist lodge, accessible by a characteristic wooden spiral staircase. As you step foot into the bar, expect a visual feast by way of exposed brick walls and Chinese lanterns. But it is the al fresco seating area that takes the cake here, where an ensemble cast of Kuala Lumpur’s most prominent skyline protagonists dazzle spectators, ranging from the latest Menara 118 to the adjacent Twin Towers.
What to order: The ‘Aunt Beru’s Spiked Blue Milk’, an otherworldly concoction laden with coconut milk and pandan, doused with spiced rum and Blue Curacao.
Operating hours: 5pm – 1am (Sunday to Thursday), 5pm – 3am (Friday and Saturday)
Getting there: Take the Kelana Jaya LRT line and alight at the Pasar Seni LRT Station. Then walk 5 minutes to arrive at The Attic Bar.
(Image credit: @theatticbarkl/Instagram)
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PS150
Another noteworthy entrant to this list located in Chinatown is PS150. With that said, you will have to put on a bold front as you trust the process and wander through a dark and musty hall housed in a pre-war shoplot next to Sin Chew Daily’s Kuala Lumpur bureau, before finally emerging in a gallery of Indochine history. Sprawled out across three sections, customers have the option of unwinding in the main bar area, or adjourn into more private salons dubbed the Opium Den, Larger gatherings will likely favour the Post-War space. Similarly, their cocktails are sectioned into different eras, ranging from Vintage, to Prohibition, Tiki, Disco, and finally, Contemporary.
What to order: ‘ Lychee No. 3’, PS150’s take on a lychee martini with a Southeast Asian twist. The fruity flavour bomb has a citrusy-dry finish that’ll leave you yearning for another.
Operating hours: 6pm – 2am (opens daily)
Getting there: Take the Kelana Jaya LRT line and alight at the Pasar Seni LRT Station. Then walk 5 minutes to arrive at PS150.
(Image credit: @ps150kl/Instagram)
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Beloved by locals living in the thriving F&B hub of TTDI since its inception, The First Chapter has now moved its operations to a new base in Plaza Damansara. While the space may offer a completely fresh take on ambiance, rest assured that the drinks menu continues to remain relatively unchanged, save for some new additions to the fray. Two doors greet you upon your arrival, one leading into a wall and another leading into the bar proper in a coy game of guesswork. The interior takes after its name, fashioned after a gentleman’s study with its Chesterfield couches and bookcase facades.
What to order: The vodka-spiked ‘Matcha Latte That You Can’t Bring Home’ is a treat for those who enjoy their cocktails smooth.
Operating hours: 6pm – 3am (Tuesday to Saturday, closed on Sunday and Monday)
Geting there: Getting there: Board the T818 or T852 bus and alight at the KL1170 Plaza Damansara stop, before walking 5 minutes to The First Chapter.
(Image credit: @thefirstchapterspeakeasy/Instagram)
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Tickets
As children, tickets promise access to exciting thrills, whether it be amusement parks or movies. That very same premise applies to adults as well, especially when you decide to visit Tickets Bar in Bukit Damansara. Of course, the assumption here is that you manage to find it on first try without help, as the facade of the bar’s entrance has been done up to masquerade as a parking ticket office, not unlike those typically found in most commercial buildings, complete with ticket rates printed on an acrylic board. But venture ahead and find the hidden switch that swings the concealed door open, and you are ushered into a cocktail bar whose menu spans an eclectic selection of wonders inspired by some of the world’s most renowned artists, from M.C Escher to Salvador Dali.
What to order: ‘The Persistence of Memory’, a Salvador Dali-inspired cocktail recipe that will delight those with a sweet tooth.
Operating hours: 6pm – 2am (closed on Mondays)
Getting there: Board the T818 or T852 bus and alight at the KL1170 Plaza Damansara (Barat) stop, before walking 4 minutes to Tickets.
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Brooklyn Bar KL
East Coast purists will argue that there is nothing remotely New York about sweltering equatorial afternoons and muggy evenings, but if you traipse up along the metal fire escape leading into Brooklyn Bar and squint just enough, you can almost picture yellow cabs chugging past as irate locals meander their way on the sidewalk. Taking many obvious cues from the Big Apple picture book, this speakeasy’s swanky, jazz lounge informed interior offers velvet comfort and bay windows that overlook virdian greens, accented by choice photographs of the Brooklyn neighbourhood after which it is named after. As predicted, the cocktail menu here offers many metropolitan staples executed in excellent aplomb, but hides a few novel surprises up its sleeve too. Just be sure to get the right access code at the door.
What to order: The velvet-smooth ‘Flea Season’, suffused with elderflower liqueur and lemon juice with a splash of gin, carried on egg whites.
Operating hours: 5pm – 1am (Sunday to Wednesday), 5pm – 3am (Thursday to Saturday)
Getting there: Board the T818 or T852 bus and alight at the KL1170 Plaza Damansara (Barat) stop, before walking 3 minutes to Brooklyn Bar.
(Image credit: @brooklynbarkl/Instagram)
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Te Amo
Before Bukit Damansara and TREC could run, Changkat had to pave the way and open doors as Kuala Lumpur’s de-facto bar scene. While its popularity may have waned with newer contemporaries offering more interesting options that go beyond affordable watering holes, hidden (literally) gems such as Te Amo still make it worth the visit. When arriving at the door, be sure to first check their socials for the passcode (which changes daily), to be granted entry into its take in Spanish flair. Deep red couches and dangling chandelliers complete the effect when laid against dark wood floors for an impassioned take on Latin decor. The drinks menu here meshes a fusion of East-West influences, which results in a novel spectrum of flavours.
What to order: The boozy ‘Mango Lassi’ made with a blend of mangoes, passionfruit, coconut cream, and gin.
Operating hours: 6pm – 3am (Wednesday to Sunday, closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Getting there: Board the Kelana Jaya LRT line and alight at the KL Sentral Station, before changing on to the Monorail. Take the Monorail and alight at the Bukit Bintang station before walking 6 minutes to Te Amo.
(Image credit: @te.amokl/Instagram)
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Three X Co
If you’re the type who likes theatrical flair, then a game of cloaks and daggers at Three X Co will surely do the trick. Locate what appears to be a barber’s pop-up store in Bangsar Shopping Centre, before you suss out the right way to open up a passage into one of the city’s most decorated cocktail establishments, in which you’ll be whisked away into the Roaring Twenties. Expect a menu that’s surprising and innovative, so much so that the speakeasy has earned itself praise from The World’s Best Bars for pushing the mixology envelope. It’s also a popular spot for the cocktail community for organising guest shifts with bartenders across the globe, so check back often.
What to order: ‘Mr. Wong’s Choice’, an Asian twist from the classic Old Fashioned with bourbon, chrysanthemum, homemade longan liqueur, Pei Pa Kao and Fernet Branca.
Operating hours: 5pm – 12am (Monday to Thursday), 5pm – 1am (Friday to Saturday, closed on Sunday)
Getting there: Take the T817 bus and alight at the Bangsar Shopping Centre stop, before walking 3 minutes to Three X Co.
(Image credit: @threexco_kl/Instagram)
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Kuala Lumpur plays host to some of the most exciting bar districts in Southeast Asia, but the ageing Wisma Cosway commercial complex is not one of them. The Rebel Penguin of Funkytown, however, wants to change this. Founded by Alvin Au Yong, this speakeasy is a vibrant, neon-splashed homage to the 1980s, well-hidden from view behind its convincingly drab storefront that doesn’t look out of place among its other cohorts. The same cannot be said of the interior, which boasts a dazzlingly eclectic choice of decorative appointments, in addition to a drinks menu that yields curiosities such as the nacho tequila-driven Grand Theft Nacho.
What to order: ‘Hey Poppy’, a deliciously addictive cocktail comprising Poppy Seeds Tequila, Apple Brandy, Turmeric Orange Cordial, Rooibos Tea, and a good amount of fizz
Operating hours: 7pm – 12am (Wednesday and Thursday), 7pm – 1am (Friday and Saturday, closed on Sunday to Tuesday)
Getting there: Take the 02 GOKL bus and alight at the Wisma Cosway stop, before walking 2 minutes to The Rebel Penguin of Funkytown.
(Image credit: @therebelpenguin/Instagram)
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