Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
There's a premium-grade steak restaurant downstairs, but the main action happens at the Prohibition-era-style cocktail bar upstairs, where the mixologists…
Must-see nightlife in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
On the Feast Floor of Starhill Gallery but away from the heady Feast Village area, the secluded Luk Yu offers fine Chinese and Taiwanese teas along with…
Kuala Lumpur
For a quick pitstop while browsing Bukit Bintang's malls, this friendly cafe with outside seating is a good choice. It serves freshly baked bread and…
Kuala Lumpur
This sophisticated wine and cocktail bar is the first space you'll encounter out of the lift to the collection of bars and restaurants that make up Troika…
George Town
Buried in the middle of China House is this intimate, grown-up wine and cocktail bar, with moody lighting and an impressive battalion of spirits lined up…
George Town
An oasis of spiritual calm, this outlet for a Taiwanese Buddhist group's teachings is a wonderful place to revive in hushed surroundings over a pot of…
Ipoh
In a neighbourhood that fills to bursting with lunchtime crowds, antique-styled Chinese cafe Jié stands out for its rich, sweet version of traditional…
Kuala Lumpur
Buried at the eastern back of the market, this ramshackle, family-run cafe is the antithesis of third-wave coffee haunts. It's like a time capsule…
Melaka City
One of the businesses that kickstarted Melaka's current obsession with designer cafes, this attractive space behind a hybrid dress and tea shop is a good…
Pulau Langkawi
Slightly more sophisticated than the average beachside beer bar, Thirstday boasts an open-air deck with uninterrupted sunset views and thoughtful mini…
George Town
A serious venue for serious coffee drinkers, this attractive place brews its lattes with coveted beans from Malaysia and beyond, and serves some pristine…
Melaka City
Located near Kampung Chetti, this charmingly rustic cafe and secondhand bookshop is worth searching out. The owner takes his time making his hand-dripped…
Kuala Lumpur
An old-fashioned made with truffled honey, the classic 1916 recipe for the gin-based Aviation and a killer Daiquiri are on the menu at Troika Sky Dining's…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The BIG Group has given a bright new look and name to its cafe-bar on the ground floor of Bangsar Village I. Handy for a latte, a light meal or something…
Pulau Tioman
Part of B&J Dive Centre, this popular beachside bar in ABC always attracts a crowd with reasonable prices and fun bar staff.
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
This popular meeting spot has pool tables, good food and cheap happy-hour draught beer.
George Town
Drag artists Dame Coco and Fenominah take to the floor at this lively gay-friendly DJ bar every Friday from around 11.30pm. Check their Facebook page for…
Kuala Lumpur
Take your pick from single-origin beans and house blends prepared by siphon or filter, or hand dripped. Coffee Stain is also known for latte art.
Kuching
Good espresso coffee. No need to ask for a double shot here. Plus delicious cakes and snacks in a relaxed, comfortable setting with good wi-fi.
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
A twinkling view of KL’s skyline is guaranteed at this sophisticated rooftop bar surrounding a swimming pool.
Penang
One of Batu Ferringhi's only sand-in-the-toes-type beach bars, located roughly in the centre of town.
Pulau Perhentian
This friendly pop-up stall is one of only two places selling beer and other drinks on this beach.
Kuala Lumpur
This outdoor entertainment complex, which debuted in 2016, has yet to really find its feet. There's little to really choose between the many identikit…
Kuching
At Monkee Bar, 50% of profits go to the Orangutan Project, a wildlife-conservation NGO that works at Matang Wildlife Centre. If the idea of 'drinking for…
Cameron Highlands
The cafe at Boh Sungei Palas Tea Estate serves (you guessed it) Boh-brand brews: by the bag, loose-leaf or infused with lemongrass. While waiting for your…
George Town
A chic, cosy bar run by a German chef and his wife. Enjoy a selection of wine – glasses start at RM20 – and champagne cocktails, and consider accompanying…
Kota Kinabalu
Shani's, as it's affectionately known, enjoys a loyal crowd of regulars, as well as a few international visitors. Below the Hyatt at street level, it has…
Kuching
This rustic, longhouse-style bar erected beside the related Telang Usan Hotel serves beer and food in a decidedly local atmosphere. There's also a small…
Kota Kinabalu
You know a city is undergoing gentrification when it acquires a 'lifestyle juice bar'. And as these places go, it's a very good one: you can power up on…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Bare brick walls bearing the scrawlings of backpackers past bear witness to rowdy Reggae Bar's popularity among travellers. Beer promos, pool tables and…
Pahang & Tioman Island
This fun English-style pub on the road to the beach has been in operation since 1971. It's as dark as a pint of stout inside, but the service is bright…
Melaka City
Not strictly mod and more a 1960s-decorated cafe with 1970s ingredients, though concessions are made with mod roundels on the tables and a Quadrophenia…
George Town
Enter from the back alley off Jln Nagor to find this attractive space, decorated with a world map chipped out of the plaster wall and an Ernest Zacharevic…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This little herbal drink shop is part of a Chinese chain that has spread into Southeast Asia. There are branches at either end of Petaling Street Market,…
George Town
A colonial British–style bar, named after Penang's one-time Lieutenant-Governor, in the E&O Hotel. It serves beer, traditional pub food and cocktails,…
Melaka City
Sid's has been a fixture on the Kuala Lumpur bar scene for years. He's now set up a branch of his English-style pub chain in Melaka City, bagging a…
Melaka City
In a city with few nightclubs, Mixx dominates the scene with Paradox, a laser-lit, warehouse-style venue where international DJs spin techno and…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
You won't find any tutting librarians at this well-stocked bar and kitchen on the strip between the Megamall and The Gardens Mall. There's live music…
Kota Kinabalu
About as Irish as a made-in-China leprechaun, this is, however, a good spot for a bit of rock music. There's Guinness on tap, but best of all is the al…
Pahang & Tioman Island
This shabby and largely undecorated place is the only bar in town, with a fridge of beers, but no draft ales. It's usually pretty quiet and is very…
