Must-see nightlife in Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei

  • Little Island Brewing Co.

    Singapore

    A perfect spot to perch after a trip to nearby Pulau Ubin. This rustic, shed-like, microbrewery serves six in-house brews as well as international craft…

  • Wildseed

    Singapore

    Sitting pretty on the lower floor of a revamped heritage bungalow, Wildseed is a quaint cafe by day, languid drinking spot by night. Previously part of…

  • Discovery Cafe & Guest House

    Melaka City

    Owner Bob Teng offers nearly everything that caters to travellers' needs here, from budget rooms (from RM50), bicycle and scooter rental to bus tickets,…

  • Mr Punch Rooftop Bar

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Soft jazz, beautiful views of the surrounding skyline and scores of vintage enamel advertising signs from around the world make this intimate space a…

  • Zouk

    Kuala Lumpur

    Zouk remains one of KL's premier dance clubs, with its Main Room space reverberating to electro, techno and trance. Wear your flashiest threads (no T…

  • Ginett

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    Pouring possibly the most affordable glass of wine in town (S$6), Ginett has garnered a large following of wine lovers who enjoy a decent glass of cheap…

  • Little Creatures

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Hailing from beer-loving Australia, Little Creatures brewery has recently entered Singapore's burgeoning craft beer scene. Setting up shop in a heritage…

  • TWG Tea

    Kuala Lumpur

    Offering a mind-boggling range of more than 400 teas and infusions, this KL offshoot of the original Singaporean TWG is a luxurious place to refresh…

  • Sin See Tai

    Melaka City

    Melaka's only true exponent of third-wave coffee, this diminutive cafe in the Kampung Jawa district is associated with the popular Daily Fix in Jonker St…

  • Marini's on 57

    Kuala Lumpur

    This is about as close as you can get to eyeballing the upper levels of the Petronas Towers from a bar. The stellar views are complemented by sleek…

  • Jekyll & Hyde

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Jekyll & Hyde splits itself into two spaces – buzzing back bar and milder-mannered front space tailored for more tranquil tête-à-têtes. Whichever you…

  • Clan Cafe

    Chinatown & the CBD

    The only section of this private members' club you can access without parting with a whole lotta cash, Clan Cafe is worth stopping in for a drink amid…

  • Closer Kitchen & Espresso Bar

    Malaysia

    North of Curve mall, Closer is a masterclass in minimalist design, with a bare concrete and monochrome aesthetic. All the better for you to focus on the…

  • Coastal Settlement

    Singapore

    In a black-and-white colonial bungalow on verdant grounds, this cafe-bar-restaurant is ideal for unhurried idling. It's like a hipster op shop, packed…

  • Deceased

    Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas

    Bloody severed hands (made of rubber), a skull mask smoking a cheroot, or a wooden shoe (for beating purposes!) are part of the gimmicky, Instagram…

  • LOKL Coffee

    Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas

    Coffees served Western- or Malay-style (with a sticky splosh of condensed milk) are equally good at this welcoming cafe. Menu offerings include filling…

  • Vertigo

    Kuala Lumpur

    On the 59th floor of the Banyan Tree hotel, this is currently reigning champ for KL's loftiest rooftop bar. Off course, it's all about the views here,…

  • Loof

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Red neon warmly declares 'Glad you came up' at upbeat Loof, its name the Singlish mangling of the word 'roof'. Sit on the leafy rooftop deck and look out…

  • Headquarters by the Council

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Don't let the unassuming facade of this shophouse fool you, follow the just audible thumping beat and look for the Morse code on the pillar till you find…

  • Chaiwalla & Co.

    Johor Bahru

    Elevating the usual chai walla (tea seller) stall, this drinks cafe has made its home in a trendy, all-black, double-storey shipping container, with…

  • Backdoor Bodega

    George Town

    With a hidden location behind an unmarked door – ask at the nearby Good Friends Club – and a unique marketing angle (it claims to be an 'overpriced pin…

  • Out Of Nowhere

    George Town

    George Town is crazy about speakeasies, epitomised by this well-hidden bar. To find it, locate Hold Up Coffee Shop, then proceed through the giant orange…

  • Woobar

    Sentosa Island

    The W Singapore's hotel bar is glam and camp, with suspended egg-shaped pods, gold footrests and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at palms and pool…

  • Good Beer Company

    West & Southwest Singapore

    After injecting Chinatown Complex with a dose of new-school cool, this hawker-centre beer stall made the move in September 2017 to much bigger digs, just…

  • Feeka Coffee Roasters

    Kuala Lumpur

    Set in a remodelled shophouse on hip Jln Mesui, Feeka serves espresso and cold brew with optional extras of syrup infusions, oat milk and almond milk. It…

  • Rogue Trader

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    Leave the frenetic energy of Little India behind as you ascend the stairs to this colonial India–inspired cocktail bar atop carnivore heaven Meatsmith…

  • Southbridge

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Rising above the glut of mediocre Boat Quay bars, this discerning rooftop hang-out delivers a panorama guaranteed to loosen jaws. Scan skyline and river…

  • VCR

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    Brunch is the main event at this contemporary cafe (dishes RM15–36), but VCR is also a good mid-afternoon coffee stop, serving cold brew and espresso. The…

  • Mantra Bar KL

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    This sophisticated bar on the rooftop of Bangsar Village II has an indoor lounge and outdoor deck with spectacular views over the leafy, low-rise suburbs…

  • De Royalle Café

    Bandar Seri Begawan

    With a living-room-style indoor area (complete with leopard-print armchairs) and outdoor pavement tables, this always-open establishment has a supply of…

  • Wine Connection

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Oenophiles love this savvy wine store and bar at Robertson Quay. The team works closely with winemakers across the world, which means no intermediary…

  • Brewerkz

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    This sprawling microbrewery and restaurant offers a variety of beers brewed on-site. The India Pale Ale is the most popular, but those with adventurous…

  • L'Espresso

    Singapore

    The place to be seen to 'tea', this bright and airy lobby lounge, with poolside terrace, is the perfect spot to end a day of Orchard Rd shopping. The…

  • House Of AnLi Bistrot

    Singapore

    Tucked away at the back of homewares haven House of AnLi, and bathed in natural light from stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, is this intimate European…

  • Beast

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    If you’re after some hard liquor and only bourbon will do, pull up a stool at a rusty drum and start working your way through the Beast’s grandiose…

  • Coffee Break

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Operated by a sister and brother team who took the reins from their grandfather, this humble drink stall has a menu that reads more like it's from a…

  • Sky Lounge

    Kuching

    Every emerging Southeast Asian city needs a decent rooftop bar, and the ritzy Sky Lounge provides superb river views as sleepy afternoons slowly merge…

  • Grind 22

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    Local ingredients, such as coconut and pandan, flavour some of the speciality coffees and other drinks served at this chilled cafe that's a short walk…

  • Privé

    Singapore

    With its pedestrian sidewalk location and terraced seating, this Parisian style cafe is the perfect ringside spot to watch the masses strutting up and…

  • Gavel

    Kuala Lumpur

    Perceiving a gap in the market, English owner Paul James opened this bar dedicated to craft beer. Choose from over 30 beers sourced from Japan, the US,…

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