Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur

By Elizabeth May
Posted at 25/07/2014

So we already know that K.L. is a bustling city, full of tourists and a diverse population, but what is there to do for fun?  Other than eating, sightseeing, and shopping, this is a list of some of the things to do in the evening hours. 

You can be sure with such a heterogeneous population, there will be exciting and interesting things to experience! 

 

  1. 7atenine Bar @ Ascott.  Incredibly sleek and stylish, this bar is the perfect venue for a classy night out.  It’s a great place to spend a relaxing evening with business associates or, your nearest and dearest.  It boasts nice jazz, signature drinks, incredible international cuisine, and is located in the heart of the city.  This is the place you won’t want to miss while you’re here in K.L.
     
  2. Zouk Club
    Where else can you go that has 7 rooms and 7 different experiences, all in one club?  Why not check them all out?  Zouk is the centerpiece of all the rooms, with trippy lightshows and plush seating around the dance floor.  They have world class DJ’s, with a superb sound system, plasma screens and LED panels to light up the room.  Velvet underground is the cool, retro club with focus on quality service and comfort.  This place is for the more ‘sophisticated clubber’.  Phuture is dedicated to the fans of KL’s most popular types of music.   It is forward thinking, and the décor reflects just that.  The remaining bars are just as trendy, some being more on the elegant side, like the Aristro & Roof Garden.  This is your one stop clubbing experience.  Come make the most of it.
    www.zoukclub.com.my/index.asp
     
  3. Marini’s on 57
    Kuala Lumpur’s highest rooftop bar, this Italian restaurant and whiskey & cigar lounge is the classiest place around.  With dark leather and red accents, it exudes a slightly masculine feel.  The food is exemplary, and the view of the Petronas Towers as well as the rest of the city, is outstanding.  Once you have your meal, migrate over to the lounge, as that’s where you’ll have a more intimate experience.
    www.marinis57.com/
     
  4. Thirty8 lounge @ Grand Hyatt
    This is a place to come to relax over coffee, tea, or a cocktail while taking in the views of the city.  There are three parts to Thirty8, the restaurant, the bar, and the lounge.  You could easily make an evening out of these three places, but the lounge is particularly satisfying.  It’s located adjacent to the Sky Lobby, and accessible via the bubble lift, or staircase next to the bar.  It’s a great place to bring business counterparts for casual conversation, your partner for romantic confession, or a book, to get lost in another reality.
    kualalumpur.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/THIRTY8.html
     
  5. The Stratosphere @ The Roof
    The best time to go is just before sunset, so you can watch the glorious red orb disappear over the horizon, and bear witness to the spectacle of colors that paint the evening sky.  The venue is an open air, functional helipad, converted into a chic but comfortable evening bar, open from Wed-Sat from 6:30pm-2am.  The view is amazing, with Petaling Jaya just beneath and wider KL surrounding.  You can’t miss this incredible experience.
     
  6. Sultan Lounge @ Mandarin Oriental
    Uniquely modern with hints of Arabic flair, this late night lounge is sophisticated and fashionable.  Sultan Lounge allows DJ’s to spin only the hottest club music, from a gold-plated booth.  If you’re looking for a mature, but stylish place to hang out, the Sultan Lounge is the place to be in Kuala Lumpur.
    www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur/fine-dining/sultan-lounge/
     
  7. View Rooftop Bar
    Make sure you dress appropriately to come to this ultra hip bar.  This place is designed for the well traveled and well heeled.  View offers an al fresco bar, a whiskey lounge, serving single malt Glenlivet, or a champagne room, choose your environment.  Ideal for romantic interludes, glamorous cocktail parties, or unforgettable nights out.  Situated 30 floors up, on the custom built rooftop of GTower, this bar is set to become one of the most iconic rooftop bars of the world.
    www.view.com.my
     
  8. Rennie’s House of Oxtail
    A time warp into the 70’s, the aged carpet and padded bar give tribute to what was once in vogue.  The bar is cozy and intimate, and at full capacity would probably require a bit of squeezing around, but if it’s a dive bar you’re after, this is definitely it.   If you’re looking for a brew, they’ve got Tiger and Guinness on tap, if you’re looking for a meal, there’s a dining area in the back, and their famous Ox-tail stew is sure to cure any ailment.  This retro spot has been around for a while, and there is something very local and special about it.  It may induce a bit of nostalgia for those over 40.
     
  9. Tate @ The Intermark Mall
    One of Kuala Lumpur’s first speakeasy bars, it is a well-established and exclusive drinking den.  Think gentlemen’s club, 1920’s era.  Where affluent men go to socialize in good company, while sitting in leather armchairs, surrounded by wood paneling, with creative cocktails, fine liqueurs, cigars, tasty bar snacks and dimly lit corners.  If you’re looking for something secluded, underground and hushed-up, you’ve found it here at Tate.  How to find it?  Look for the bowler hat in front of the camouflaged wall-door.
    www.google.com/maps/search/intermark+mall+kuala+lumpur/@3.139003,101.6868555,12z/data=!3m1!4b1
     
  10. Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot
    Another hidden and very cool speakeasy bar.  It’s hidden behind the face of a cigar store in Avenue K mall, but there’s another entrance through the secret passage found inside a vintage (British style, red) phone booth.  Just like in a spy movie, it sparks a sort of WTF (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) moment.  Another very cool thing about this bar, is that you can sign onto its membership to have your liquor and cigars kept in a personalized cabinet, so you can come and enjoy them whenever you please.
    avenuek.com.my/home/