Singaporeans are known to travel across the Malaysia–Singapore border into Johor Bahru for cheap massages and lok lok. But there is more to the Malaysian city than meets the eye. When you’re finally done with cafe hopping and kneading your tensed muscles at your favourite JB massage parlour, do explore Johor Bahru at night and check out its selection of bars.
From romantic rooftop bars to specialty cocktail speakeasies, we’ve compiled a list of 13 drinking dens so that you can get your alcohol fix at the coolest spots.
1. The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen
Source: The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen
“A nook in the cityscape to celebrate good food & for the wanderlust to rest between wanders”
–The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen
The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen is the first bed and breakfast concept in Johor Bahru by The Merk Group. They pride themselves in providing guests a one-of-a-kind experience and paying attention to even the littlest details.
From cosy brunches to sunset tapas and drinks, their menu has been carefully curated to provide the perfect nourishment before you set out for exploration.
Source: Chanwon.com
Do not miss their selection of craft beers – from pale ales to stouts; there is something for all beer lovers. Highly recommended off the tapas menu are dishes such as Tomato (RM 12), a tomato soup drizzled with brown butter accompanied with cheese toast and Asparagus (RM 15), served with cubes of chorizo sausages, brown butter and a poached egg which sits in the middle of the dish.
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Address: 33, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 12-547 7885
2. Sky Bar @ Hotel Jen, Puteri Harbour
Source: Hotel Jen by Shangri-la
Sky Bar at Hotel Jen is a mere 15-minute drive away from Malaysia-Singapore Second Link. Consider rewarding yourself with a weekend retreat here and unwind at their in-house rooftop bar. SkyBar, Bar & Restaurant is located by the infinity pool perched atop the hotel’s fourth storey. You can expect a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience accompanied by a spectacular view of the sun descending across the horizon of Puteri Harbour.
Sky Bar also offers a wide variety of freshly grilled meat and seafood on an open charcoal-fired grill on Fridays and Saturdays* at RM 98 nett per adult (RM 49/ child and senior citizen).
*Available from 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM.
Opening Hours
Opens daily from 11:00 AM – 11:45 PM
Address: Block 3, Level 4, Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, 79000 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 7-560 8888
3. Tipsy Monkey Sutera
You can count on Tipsy Monkey Sutera for some of the most attractive drinks promotion such as Tiger Tower (RM 108++/ all day), a bottle of Jameson Whiskey (RM 290++) and buy 4 get 1 free flaming shots (RM 24.90++ each).
From the likes of Sloppy Joes Burger (RM 30.50++), Chicken Cordon Bleu (RM 25.50++) and Thai Pork Skewers (RM 19.50++), Tipsy Monkey Sutera serves a scrumptious plethora of western fare.
Live band performances run from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM daily (except Mondays) and feature music from Oldies to Goodies, Pop to Rock, Jazz and R&B and all your other favourite top hits.
Opening Hours
Closed on Mondays
Sunday to Thursday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Friday and Saturday: 4:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Address: 7, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 16-792 1268
4. Sky 26, Holiday Villa Johor Bahru
Source: SKY 26, Holiday Villa Johor Bahru
Overlooking Johor Bahru’s city skyline on the 26th storey of Holiday Villa, Sky 26 is a leading entertainment and social hub aiming to provide guests with a unique experience. You can sing your hearts out at Fame – a well-furnished KTV hall standing 98 metres above ground, or enjoy an exquisite range of wines and liquor at Pantheon.
The menu serves mainly Japanese delicacies and some Asian-fusion dishes namely the Kaibashira Goma Pasta (RM 61++) and Goma Soft Shell Crab Cold Soba (RM 45++).
Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Friday and Saturday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Address: 26th Floor Holiday Villa, No, 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 10-288 2626
5. The Bierhaus Sutera
Source: The Bierhaus Sutera
The Bierhaus believes in the saying that ‘the best things in life come in pairs’ and therefore, they have decided that just like Rum and Coke and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, pub-enthusiast would agree upon – pork and beer!
The interior exudes a warm, convivial ambience furnished with dark wooden tables, a classic island bar layout and a comfortable conservatory-style opaque roof; making it a perfect hideout during a rainy day! A highly recommended dish from the scrumptious pork selection would be the Classic Pork Knuckle (RM 68++), best complemented with your choice of imported beer.
Opening Hours
Opens daily 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Address: NO.1-G, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 7-556 0399
6. Cabinet 8 by JWC
Source: Cabinet 8 by JWC
Cabinet 8 concocts stylish cocktails that are well-balanced and highly instagrammable. The perfect hideout away from the hustle and bustle of life; drop by for a tipple or two after a long day at work.
Head mixologist Justin Tay of JWC’s range of cocktail bars has achieved the standard of WSET Level 2 on spirits back in 2018 – you can expect nothing less than extraordinary from the wide range of cocktails available at the bar! If you’re a fan of Gin, do check out Gin bar by JWC too.
Opening Hours
Mondays: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday: 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Fridays and Saturdays: 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Address: 65, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 13-234 1018
7. Haiiro Usagi
Tucked away along the stretch of Jalan Maju is a discreet watering hole only recognisable by the “75A” sign above a nondescript metal door. Haiiro Usagi encapsulates the essence of the “prohibited” chamber of Forbidden City with its neon aesthetics flushed against the grey walls and with traces of Chinese and Japanese elements.
Some of the highly recommended drinks are “Earl”Mazing – an earl grey steeped gin cocktail mixed with orange liqueur salted milk foam and Fifty Shades of Haiiro, dubbed an ingenious concoction – combining vodka, rose tea, cacao and charcoal cream which is topped off with beautiful French petals.
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Fridays and Saturdays: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Closed on Sundays
Address: No. 75A, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru
Contact: +60 7-336 0209
8. Whisky House Johor Bahru
Source: Whisky House Johor Bahru
Whisky House is Asia Pacific’s first whiskey ambassador’s bar. The bar offers an impressive selection of over 300 whisky and cocktails, making it an easily accessible drinking paradise.
On Thursdays, treat yourselves to a customisable whisky flight (RM 68++ for a flight of 3, RM 88++ for a flight of 4 and RM 108++ for a flight of 5; 15ml/ serving note). From Blended Whisky, Speyside Whisky to Japanese Whisky, you can choose to sample from 30 different types of whisky. Not to worry if whisky is not your preferred drink, as the bar also serves cocktails and ice-cold beers.
A tantalising food menu which serves mains such as Baby Lamb Rack & Chorizo Sausage with Pesto Sauce (RM 42.90++) and Fresh Seafood Spaghetti (RM 28.90++) would be ideal to line your stomach before a big night.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Closed on Sundays
Address: Jalan Molek 1/27 Taman Molek, Johor Bahru
Contact: +60 154-876 6666
9. Vigneto Wine & Dine
Surrounded by gorgeous Hemingway-type decor, Vigneto Wine & Dine drives splendour and awe to all who pass through its doors. With an all-night menu and a special focus on fine wine and cocktails, this bar promises a multi-sensory experience to remember—fuelled with elegant fine dining and expertly crafted cocktails.
Opening Hours
Daily: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Address: 106, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 7-562 4488
Read our guide to Johor Bahru’s supper spots.
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