Backyard Pub & Grill in Sri Hartamas has survived 33 years in business.
Over three-decade-old pub in Sri Hartamas weathers the storm with welcome additions
A PUB that managed to ride out three recessions and a pandemic speaks volumes about the importance of pivoting one’s business model to ensure survival.
In the past two-and-a-half years, many of Backyard Pub & Grill’s regular customers were on tenterhooks, wondering if their favourite watering hole would survive the collapse in business.
It did, thankfully, much to their relief, but not without some adjustments made to the pub’s business model and premises by proprietor Jerry Chong, who considers this survival a major milestone.
Backyard opened in 1989, starting as a one-shoplot neighbourhood pub for nearby residents. From 1996, Chong took over and the establishment became a busy three-shoplot outfit famous for its live bands on stage and pool – which are still a big part of its attraction – as well as its restaurant section that has been serving scrumptious pub grub for over three decades.
The mutton fried rice is a favourite among many loyal Backyard customers while the spicy prawn sambal (right) is a must-try and best enjoyed with drinks.
But it was in late 2020, eight months into the Covid-19 pandemic, where Chong had to give up one shoplot that had housed the pool room.
As dine-ins were not allowed during the movement control order (MCO) period, Backyard launched its food delivery and takeaway service to keep its business afloat.
Dishes such as fish head curry, nasi minyak and mee rebus as well as beer and spirits at promotional prices were offered.
“The pandemic changed us in the way we pushed our food. People actually ‘discovered’ Backyard’s food,” Chong enthused.
At the same albeit slightly dark and solemn time, the stage across the bar – which saw endeared big bands such as The Union belting out favourite 1980s tunes on Friday nights, as well as Arumugam Goes to Alabama and 9 Lives Band – was also dismantled.
Chong pivoted to highlighting the pub’s food during MCO.
As the MCO was relaxed in different phases in 2021, the pool tables were placed in the area which had the stage and slowly, guests were allowed to dine in again.
In fact, Backyard has the biggest group of in-house pool players in the Klang Valley and the first to send a player to the United Kingdom for the Black Ball Table Challenge in 2019.
As Malaysia transitioned into the endemic phase around March this year, the stage was reinstalled near the bar area. Now with a new coat of interior and exterior paint, and new ambient lighting, including total electrical rewiring, Backyard is back – cosier and smaller – with live music by solo and duo musicians every night starting earlier at 8pm.
“Most of our customers now find this setting comfortable and cosy. It’s a good feeling,” said Chong.
While Backyard mostly attracted the beer, whiskey and liquor-drinking crowd, we were pleasantly surprised with the new addition of a refreshing gin-based cocktail called Melaka Muse to the beverage menu, inspired by Chong’s recent trip to a bar in Melaka. It has asam boi, pineapple and lemon.
The refreshing gin-based Melaka Muse cocktail.
Even their sales of wine – which range from various regions such as Australia, Argentina, South Africa, Chile and France – are picking up.
“Our house wine has transformed tremendously now,” added Chong.
You can expect good craft beer from Little Creatures in Australia as well as Japanese Kyoto Kuromame Ale at the pub.
They also have new dishes such as Chicken Debal Curry, Portuguese Pork Sambal, pork dumplings and tom yam soup, all of which are a must-try, including the prawn sambal.
Pork and chicken sisig – a Filipino dish where the meat is seasoned with calamansi, onions and chilli peppers – is also on the menu, which includes the pub’s famous mutton fried rice.
BACKYARD PUB & GRILL, No.28, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 3pm to 1am, daily. Tel: 011-6135 5473.
