12 Senses Penang: A Hidden Ancient Chinese-themed Bar in Georgetown

Penang Bar Review: 12 Senses

Hidden inside a traditional shop house in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Site Georgetown, 12 Senses Penang’s inconspicuous façade and secret entryway make it impossible for unassuming passers-by to ever stumble upon the bar. The Chinese-themed speakeasy bar is indeed reserved for those in the know.

How to enter 12 Senses: Using Google maps, navigate your way to 12 Lebuh Presgrave. It will lead you to a dimly lit shop house. Upon arrival, a portrait of Bruce Li and a Wing Chun dummy will be there to greet you. Push the Wing Chun’s bottom lever, and the door to 12 Senses will automatically open.

“This looks like a scene from a horror movie,” my friend exclaimed.

While 12 Senses is no haunted house, we have to admit that the entire ambience was somewhat creepy.

From ghastly white, freakishly green, to a strange pinkish hue, the tree we sat under was transiting eerily from one colour to another. A long red cloth elegantly hangs itself on glowing ancient Chinese lanterns, and a huge painting of an ancient Chinese opera dancer looks coyly to her side… It was such an odd sight. And the 12 Senses experience gets increasingly bizarre from here.

Expect to see leather couches and framed monochrome pictures of Western celebrities in another corner. In the washroom, portraits of Daisy from The Great Gatsby are displayed beside the mirror. Décor wise, nothing seemed to make any sense at 12 Sense. But we do dig the strange blend of Asian and western decors.

Prices of cocktails range from RM 40 for an Earl Grey Gin to RM 42 for a Jungle Bird. The Jungle Bird cocktail was served in a Tiki mug and boasts a refreshing concoction of Campari, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice and Phraya Rum. Wine and beer are served here too – there’s surely something for everyone!

12 Senses opens at 4pm every day (note that it is closed on Sundays), and we actually visited it during the late afternoon. You might think we are crazy to visit a watering hole that early… But we actually weren’t the only ones! This speakeasy bar is evidently extremely popular amongst locals and expatriates.