During the American prohibition era between 1920 and 1933, hidden bars (also referred to as speakeasies) were more of a necessity rather than a fad, but all that has changed. The speakeasy bar movement in today’s modern day has taken off all over the world and KL is no exception.
A reflection of a generation with discerning tastes and fancies, modern day tippling is often carried out in relative privacy, hence the sudden demand for speakeasy-type bars all over the country. Since 2013, when Omakase + Appreciate first paved the way for said movement, speakeasy bars have been popping up all over the capital from hidden alleyways in the city centre to quaint residential districts.
Ready for a night of refined debauchery? Order a cocktail at any one of these 7 hidden speakeasy bars in KL and you’ll well be on your way.
1. PS150 – A speakeasy with three concepts, hidden behind a toy shop
Hidden from plain sight in bustling Chinatown lies PS150 is a speakeasy bar that’s housed within a pre-war shop lot situated next to a tiny stationery shop.
The space is divided into three separate seating areas—Opium Den, Outdoor Courtyard & Main Bar—that bookmark three distinct eras in the history of cocktails. The cocktails at PS150 draws from bold local flavours using distinct ingredients that are native Southeast Asia.
Address: Ground Floor, 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Tue to Sat), 6PM – 1AM (Sun & Mon)
Contact: +60 3-7622 8777
2. Skullduggery – Sip topnotch cocktails crafted by a mixology master
This speakeasy may be tough to find but with enough persistence, you will be rewarded with a cosy, affluent bar that conjures up breathtakingly delicious cocktails. Helmed by master mixologist Viji Thomas (previously from venerable Paris tiki bar, Dirty Dick, his cocktail menu emphasises technique and precision, utilising premium and sometimes even small-batch craft spirits and unorthodox infusions.
Address: 2M Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6PM – 1AM (Tue to Thu), 7PM – 3AM (Fri), 8PM to 3AM (Sat), Closed on Sundays & Mondays
Contact: +60 14-629 2044
3. Suzie Wong – People come for the drinks & stay for the shows
Paying homage to far Eastern aesthetics, Suzie Wong is a hidden bar and nightlife destination that sports two unique concepts—Robert Lounge and Suzie Room. The former sports archetypal English décor lounge, spaced perfectly with large Cheshire couches, wooded tables and medieval statues while the latter offers a mix of grandeur and oriental glitz and sports a look similar to that of an oriental brothel.
Here, the drinks are good but what people really get excited for is the entertainment, that comes in the form of cabarets musicals, live bands and DJs.
Address: Wisma Lim Foo Yoong, 86, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 4PM – 3AM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +60 17-226 6480
4. The Deceased – Horror-themed speakeasy with creepy AF drinks
If you’ve got the balls for it, The Deceased is a horror-themed speakeasy-type bar where macabre and death meets elegantly presented craft cocktails. The cocktail bar used to be a Chinese medicine hall in the 1950s but is now decked out in ghostly ornaments.
Perhaps the most original concept bar in KL, the bar resides in Chinatown behind an unassuming door and flight of steps.
Address: 55, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6.30PM – 2AM (Daily)
Contact: +60 3-2742 6170
5. The Pawn Room – You can pawn an item in exchange for a cocktail
Nestled in the suburban precinct of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, The Pawn Room ranks high among the list of neighbourhood speakeasies that have taken KL by storm. This concept bar draws its inspiration from old-school pawnshops and even looks the part, boasting bright red tones, lacquered wooden furniture as well as old Chinese medicine cabinets.
Their array of alcoholic beverages span anything from an whisky Old Fashioned to modern-day abbreviations of classics cocktails. They tend to play around with local flavours as well, introducing familiar ingredients such as chrysanthemum and pandan in many of their cocktails.
Address: 46, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 5PM – 1AM (Mon to Thu), 5PM – 2AM (Fri & Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +60 13-483 8863
6. Omakase + Appreciate – A pioneer in KL’s speakeasy scene
Omakase + Appreciate spearheaded the speakeasy movement in KL. Tucked in a basement with an unmarked entrance, the bar’s appeal lies in its secrecy and omakase-style cocktails. ‘Trust the chef’ as its name implies, or in this case, bartender. Regarded as one of KL’s best speakeasies, a night here is bound to impress even the most discerning drinkers.
Address: Bangunan Ming Annexe, 9, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6PM – 1AM (Tue to Sat), Closed on Sundays & Mondays
Contact: +60 3-2022 2238
7. The Vault – Bar hidden behind a massive vault door
Located in Jalan Sri Hartamas, The Vault is accessible via a narrow stairway which eventually leads to a vault door.
Invoking the spirit of the American prohibition era, the 80-seater bar offers a curated selection of specialty cocktails. Look forward to good old classics and a selection of house-perfected concoctions. To top it all off, expect a good amount of theatrics to accompany your beverage of choice.
Address: 5, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, Taman Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 5PM – 2AM (Sun to Tue), 5AM – 3AM (Wed & Thu), 5PM – 4AM (Fri to Sat)
Contact: +60 12-465 0551
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