Entertainment in Peninsular Malaysia – West Coast
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A
Honky Tonk Haven
A great new addition to the Melaka drinking scene, this music bar is run by Kiwi jazz pianist Joe 'Itchy Fingers' Webster and his singing wife Jill. Jazz memorabilia photos line the walls and spontaneous sessions of live music are performed by Joe, Jill and their collection of talented friends. It's a place to make fast friends, grab a quick meal (including real New Zealand-style burgers, and all-day breakfasts) and find out how funky you really are.
reviewed
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B
B@92
Hip bar with a laid-back attitude that features some live acts and hosts a pretty large – and mixed – expat and well-to-do locals crowd. Has an atmosphere somewhere between a British pub, American chain bar and small music venue.
reviewed
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C
Geographér Café
This ventilated, breezy bar with outside seating and late hours, in a prewar corner shophouse, is a godsend. A tasty choice of local and Western dishes (meals around RM8) and laid-back, but professional, service round it all off.
reviewed
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D
Pitt Street Corner
Pitt Street Corner feels like the offspring of a hipster bar crossed with a sports pub plunked in Tamil Nadu. It’s not a dive but it sure isn’t posh, either. Basically, it’s a friendly spot for Tamil guys to get together, sink some beer, watch some football and Bollywood and sink a few rounds of pool. While we imagine women would be treated fine here, we never saw any inside the bar on any of our visits.
reviewed
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E
Voyager Travellers Lounge
It'll draw you in with promises of free internet and its 21:30 Wednesday movie nights, but you'll keep coming back to this place for the mellow and surprisingly local vibe. Ease back into a wicker chair and order a cold beer from the glowing bar built out of recycled bottles. The young owner can help arrange activities throughout Melaka.
reviewed
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F
Shock Egypt
Georgetown isn't the only place in Penang where you can shake your booty. Shock Egypt, in the ritzy Copthorne Orchid Hotel on the island's north coast, will more than satisfy your nocturnal fun-seeking urges. DJs spin drum 'n' bass and techno, music videos play constantly on big screens, and the Pharaonic decor is pretty cool too.
reviewed
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G
Friends Café
Buzzing with everyone from businessmen to young and hip locals, this convivial spot serves espresso drinks in the day and becomes a lively bar at night. It's a hard-to-miss spot right where Jln Melaka Raya 3 meets Jln Taman Melaka Raya. There are light meals like sandwiches and tom yam and the whole place is a wi-fi zone.
reviewed
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H
Bagan Lounge
A restaurant, as well as a bar, this cosy, secluded place is popular with hip under-thirties and expats. There's a sultry jazz diva who enhances the décor of cooshy couches, giant mirrors, fairy lights and ceiling fans. This is also a great place for a romantic dinner. Gay and lesbian friendly.
reviewed
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I
FMS Bar
This Ipoh institution was closed for renovation during our visit. Hopefully open by the time you read this, the Federated Malay States bar has been going since 1906, and was the favoured haunt of colonial planters and miners. It still attracts a gaggle of colourful local characters and expats.
reviewed
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J
Club Momo
This place has a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean theme going, complete with a Harem Club with sofas and Moroccan tents. There's a special dance floor and alcoves for VIPs, live music and theme-music nights. On Wednesday women get in free. Alfresco Asian-fusion dining is on a leafy patio.
reviewed
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K
Glo
If you’ve been longing for superclubs/meat markets while travelling in Malaysia, here’s a taste of what you’ve been missing. Here you’ll encounter ear-splitting bass, big lights, lots of smoke, guys with slicked hair and ladies in little dresses. You know the drill.
reviewed
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L
Coco Island Traveller's Corner
A true traveller hang-out that fronts the Blue Diamond Hotel, you'll find plenty of long-haulers, lonely souls and locals looking for foreign friends in this beer garden. Besides beer and hard liquor there's noodles, rice and steaks on the menu.
reviewed
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Sound & Light Show
Held outside the Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall, shows happen only when there’s enough demand, and even then they may not be in English. Melaka’s history is presented from a strongly nationalistic angle; nevertheless, it’s quite good theatre.
reviewed
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M
Segafredo Espresso
This place is trying to decide if it's a coffeehouse or a bar. OK espresso drinks are available, as well as cocktails. It's a franchise, and feels like it with '80s hits showing on the TV screen; the cigarette smoking locals turn up late.
reviewed
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N
Discovery Café
The staff take things at a serious stroll and the food is mediocre, but the location near the Melaka River, the late hours and the outside seating maintain a somewhat shaky allure. Stop by if you're looking for a tour guide.
reviewed
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O
Farquhar’s Bar
Colonial British-style bar inside the E&O Hotel, serving beer, traditional pub food and cocktails; try its signature drink, the Eastern & Oriental Sling (RM16.50) brought to you by a white-coated barman.
reviewed
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P
Rock World
One of Penang's oldest venues, definitely looking its age. It still gets lively on weekends though, and features local Chinese bands. You can't miss the gargantuan neon spider web hanging over the front.
reviewed
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Q
Slippery Senoritas
Vaguely Spanish-style bar that has occasional live music. The dress code is smart casual and it’s popular with Western expats and the Malaysians who love them (or is that the other way round?).
reviewed
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R
QEII
Seemingly surrounded by the Straits, QEII serves passable pizza and better ambience; this spot usually snags a good DJ who keeps funk and slow house grooving over the waterfront views.
reviewed
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S
Golden Screen Cinemas
Penang's biggest cinema complex with 12 screens and THX sound is in the Gurney Plaza shopping complex. Ticket prices change depending on the time of day and day of the week.
reviewed
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T
Dome
This geodesic dome is one of those structures that looked dated the minute it was finished but, in any case, it still hosts some pretty good rock shows and other live acts.
reviewed
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U
Station Bar
On the ground floor of the Majestic Station Hotel, this quiet bar is a rather murky, gloomy place, but it has a kind of rough-edged charm, if you like that kind of thing.
reviewed
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V
Beach Blanket Babylon
Another stylish bar run by the owners of Bagan, Sunday night is men's night with half price on standard pours and a discount on beer for anyone male.Gay friendly.
reviewed
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W
R&B Pub
Inside the Merchant Hotel, this lively club features live music most nights. There's also a dart board and pool table, but shorts and sandals are no-nos here.
reviewed
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X
Miners’ Arms
A popular British-style pub, which also serves fish and chips, and steak dinners. There’s live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.
reviewed
