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Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
Part of the Sentul West regeneration project, this modernist performing-arts complex puts on a wide range of progressive theatrical events. You can combine a night at the theatre with a stroll in peaceful Sentul Park and dinner at the Sentul Koi Carp Breeding Centre.
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La Queen
This unashamedly hedonistic gay venue at the Nouvo club is rapidly growing in popularity. It's big on theme parties with lots of events supporting local gay organisations.
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Laundry
The first of the new breed of suburban club-bars in KL, Laundry has a reputation for slow service but brilliant live music. The attitude can be a bit overbearing but the bar does a commendable job of supporting local musical talent, particularly indie bands.
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Legends
A bawdy, boisterous sports bar with big screens showing all the big rugby, cricket, American football and premiership soccer games.
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Luna
With all of KL's towering skyscrapers, it would be unthinkable for there not to be some bars to enjoy the sky-high views from. Some of KL's most exclusive nightspots are perched on top of cloud-busting towers, offering dizzy views over the whole of the city. Topping the bill is Luna, which lords it over the city from the top floor of the Pacific Regency Suites.
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Maison
Just off Asian Heritage Row, five shophouses have been knocked together to form this huge bar and club complex. It's urban, trendy and very slick - dress your best to make it past the bouncers. If you need a break from the hip hop and house beats inside, there's a streetside shisha bar out front.
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Neway
Karaoke bars are everywhere in KL but, like elsewhere in Southeast Asia, some have a seedy side. One place you'll get no funny business is Neway, a futuristic karaoke complex in Berjaya Times Square that attracts hordes of teenagers and whole families at weekends. The price for sharing the gift of song (ahem) varies depending on the time of day.
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No Black Tie
Blink and you'd miss this discrete bar and bistro, hidden away on a residential street north of Jln Bukit Bintang. The bar was founded by Malaysian concert pianist Evelyn Hii and jazz bands and classical-music ensembles play from around .
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Old Town Kopitiam
A convincing recreation of an old-fashioned kopi tiam (Malay Chinese coffeeshop) serving teh, and breakfast snacks like eggs, toast and soup. There's another branch in Plaza Low Yat.
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Olé Café
A roomy coffeeshop with free wi-fi, blissful air-con and good tea, coffee and cakes.
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Passion
Part of the Poppy Collection - a group of bars, clubs and restaurants on Jln P Ramlee - Passion attracts trendy 30-somethings with an inclination towards RnB and house.
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Planet Hollywood
A similar experience to Hard Rock Café is offered by the local branch of Planet Hollywood. Bands play from around .
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Purple Cane Tea House
Serves a broad range of Chinese green and jasmine teas.
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Reggae Bar
Deep booming bass thumps endless Bob Marley while punters escape the interior gloom to tables on the pavement outside. The bar occasionally stages theme nights to give other music genres airplay and there's a DJ spinning house, jazz and blues after .
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Rum Jungle
Jln P Ramlee has numerous theme bars with live music or DJs and happy-hour specials. Unfortunately, these places tend to attract lots of sex workers and sexpats. Beach Club Café and Rum Jungle are the most popular places in this part of town.
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Ruums
A huge dance club in the Life Centre complex, with acres of floor space and a booming sound system playing straight-forward commercial club sounds.
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Sanctuary
A very slick concept nightspot, Sanctuary has indoor and outdoor bars, a swish Southeast Asia restaurant and an 'ice bar' serving chilled vodka in (dare we say it) chilled-out surroundings.
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SaVanh
The downstairs bar at CoChine is dark and moody, with trickling water features and Khmer temple carvings on the walls. A place for creatures of the night.
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Seri Melayu
Steer clear of hotel restaurant's tacky offerings of dinner and a show. A better option is to head to Seri Melayu, which has traditional Malay music and dance performances between and .
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SevenAteNine
White sheets hang over the tables and sofas at this sleek nightspot near the KLCC. There's a sophisticated dinner menu and acoustic bands play on Thursdays.
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Sixty Nine Bistro
A very funky youth venue with junk-shop treasures on the walls and resident fortune tellers.
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Skybar
Aside from Luna, the other elevated bar currently pulling in a crowd is the Skybar in the Traders Hotel, a lofty chill-out space overlooking the KLCC Park. It's chic, futuristic and exclusive. Dress to impress.
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Soda Club
A gigantic, flashing neon Sri Hartamas club. Dress up to get past the bouncers and expect lots of drinks promos, theme nights and fast-paced house.
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Song-dance Extravaganza at The Malaysian Tourism Centre
Probably the most professional show in town. There's also an evening dance show at daily in the attached restaurant, Saloma (2161 0122).
Read more about Song-dance Extravaganza at The Malaysian Tourism Centre
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Sutra Dance Theatre
Indian classical dance is showcased at this dance studio and cultural centre in Titiwangsa. See the calendar on the website for upcoming shows and prices.
