Malacca presents a certain old-world charm and is perfect for those in search of a brief yet fruitful respite. For foodies, Malacca is a gold mine full of delicious eats scattered across the city and heritage hunters can spend days scouring the old township for little nuggets of history.
As far as the city’s nightlife is concerned, you won’t find many places to party but what you will find is a handful of speakeasy bars and cosy little joints scattered in and around the township that offer affordable tipples and sometimes live music too.
One particularly notable one (#7) is an old-school bar that has over a century’s worth of history as well as a wide selection of herbal liquors and native Malaysian spirits. Not for the weak-stomached, only pay a visit if can hold your liquor well.
1. Alto Sky Lounge – Breathtaking Views of Malacca’s Township
Located 22 floors above Hatta Hotel, Alto Sky Lounge is one of the few restaurants in Malacca that offers panoramic views of the city’s coastal township. Outfitted with luxe furnishings, sit back and relax as you indulge in a mix of deftly crafted cocktails, delicious light bites and a variety of fine wines. The bar is pretty upscale so dress appropriately.
Address: Hatten Square, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 4PM – 12AM (Sun to Thu), 4PM – 1AM (Fri & Sat)
Contact: +60 6-286 9696
2. Blind Porky – Speakeasy Designed to Look like a Prison
Unlike The Old Merchant that functions as a legal speakeasy-type bar, Blind Porky is the complete opposite—which explains the complex steps required to actually find it.
The bar is designed to look like a prison with mugshots, an electric chair and bartenders and patrons separated by literal metal bars. Here they serve a good variety of signature cocktails, many of which feature their own house-brewed moonshine as their base. Don’t be intimidated by the bar’s overall ambience because the staff are friendly and the drinks are potent and delicious.
Address: No, 30, Jalan Kampung Hulu, Malacca Town 75200
Opening Hours: 7PM – 2AM (Daily)
Contact: +60 17-312 2824
3. Bistro Year 1673 – Opens till midnight every day
Situated in the old-school, lively Jonker Street enclave, Bistro Year 1673 is a cosy all-day restaurant cum bar housed in a Dutch heritage building that boasts an open-air courtyard and an ambience that exudes old school charm, perfect for soaking up the heritage vibes of Malacca.
The bar serves an extensive selection of beers and cocktails and you’ll find plenty of options in the food department as well, spanning anything from local nosh to Peranakan and Chinese dishes.
Address: 18, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 12PM – 12AM (Daily)
Contact: +60 16-761 2620
4. Geographer Cafe – Where locals & backpackers meet
This corner lot pub may not evoke a sense of grandeur but the beauty lies in its promise to deliver affordable drinks and quality fun—and the fact that it resides in a gorgeous traditional pre-war Malaccan shophouse.
The bar’s clientele is mostly made up of locals and backpackers and at night, the bar opens the floor to live band performances. In the evening, tables spill onto the streets making it even more lively.
Address: 83, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10AM – 1AM (Mon to Fri), 9AM – 2AM (Sat), 9AM – 1AM (Sun)
Contact: +60 6-281 6813
5. Me & Mrs Jones Cafe – Live Music & Beer Joint
Located in the lively Jonker Street, Me & Mrs Jones Cafe is where chronic music buffs and veterans head to for their daily dose of blues, rock & roll and beer. The cafe is vibrant and the energy always spikes whenever music is played. They don’t serve food here but what they do serve is a healthy dose of entertainment, booze and opportunities to make a new friend or two.
Address: 3, Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 7PM – 1AM (Thu to Mon), 7PM – 12AM (Tue), Closed on Wednesdays
Contact: +60 16-234 4292
6. Reggae On The River – Malacca’s Popular Riverside Bar
If you’re looking for a fairly chill night out, there’s no place better than along the riverbank. At Reggae On The River, feel free to pull out a chair and enjoy an ice-cold beer as you soak in the breezy vibes of the Malacca riverside. People mostly stop by for beer but basic cocktails and spirits are also available should you wish to elevate the experience—just be careful not to edge too close to the river if you’re planning on going hard.
Address: 88, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6PM – 1AM (Mon & Tue), 6.30PM – 1AM (Wed), 5.30PM – 1AM (Thu), 5.30PM – 1.30AM (Fri), 5PM – 2.30AM (Sat), 5PM – 2AM (Sun)
Contact: +60 12-218 7532
7. Sian Hup Hin – This 100-Year-Old Bar Was Once An Opium Den
Curating a wide array of native spirits, Sian Hup Hin is a drinking hole located at No. 5 Jalan Jawa that serves as a good place to get a drink and one of Malacca’s longest-standing heritage establishments. Prior to it becoming a bar, the place used to function as an opium den and up the stairs is where opium smokers used to puff their way to oblivion.
At this dingy-looking bar, you won’t find contemporary cocktails. This bar is for hard drinkers and ones who can seriously hold their liquor. Period. Among their repertoire of offerings, you’ll find rows upon rows of Chinese herbal liquor, rice wine, Indian whisky, cheap hard spirits and other alcoholic beverages.
Address: 5, Kampung Jawa, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 9AM – 7PM (Daily)
8. The Old Merchant – Malacca’s First ‘Legal’ Speakeasy
The Old Merchant is an oriental speakeasy-type cocktail bar that resides in a pre-war establishment located at Jalan Kampung Pantai, on the West Bank of the Malacca river.
The bar sports a Chinese oriental look, complete with brass lion head doorknobs and traditional wooden furniture. Their cocktail program is largely inspired by the rich history of the township so expect lots of local flavours infused into each libation such as chrysanthemum, soursop, longan, chilli and pandan.
Address: 88, Jalan Kampung Pantai, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6PM – 1AM (Sun to Thu), 6PM – 2AM (Fri & Sat), Closed on Mondays
Contact: +60 11-1128 1623
Read our guide to Malaysia’s nightlife.
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