Delight in Kapitan Haus’ Kopi Kaw.
KAPITAN HAUS
First floor, 145, Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 3pm (Friday to Sunday) and 4pm (Tuesday to Thursday) until midnight
Reservations: 017-881 2268.
Kapitan Haus pays homage to kapitans of the past who were largely credited for the development of Kuala Lumpur.
The cocktails are divided into three sections, namely the arrival of the Kapitan, Kapitan’s pursuit of happiness and Kapitan’s ascension.
Each section features cocktails with distinct flavour profiles — refreshing (the arrival), sweet and sour (the journey), and strong or spirit-forward (the ascension).
Some interesting cocktails are Liang Cha (whiskey, jasmine infused Fino Sherry, wintermelon, CO2), Petaling Street Sour (Lapsang Souchong-infused whisky, apricot, cacao, lemon, egg white) and Kopi Kaw (brown butter washed gin, coffee-infused Rosso Vermouth, Pandan-infused Cynar).
THE VAULT
5, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, Taman Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 5pm to 1am (Thursdays), 5pm to 2am (Fridays and Saturdays).
Reservations: 012-465 0551
Inspired by the Prohibition era, The Vault’s vintage style and decorations give patrons the feel of being in a forgotten time period.
In true speakeasy style, there is no sign to indicate its presence and the bar can be accessed through a hidden entrance at the end of a secret passage.
With a carefully curated menu of specialty cocktails and authentic classics, visitors can try signatures such as Passion Fruit Martini that is made of vodka, lemon, passionfruit puree, egg white and syrup.
Adding a unique twist to the classic Whisky Sour is the Whisky Marmalade Sour, which is a concoction of whisky, lemon, orange marmalade, egg white and syrup.
Visitors can also book for a countdown celebration at the bar on New Year’s Eve.
Bright hues in A Stroke of Orange.
THE CHOW KIT x MIZUKAMI
The Chow Kit Hotel, 1012, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 8am to 10pm
Reservations: 03-2778 6688
This bar in The Chow Kit Hotel is a collaboration with Mizukami Collective helmed by bartender extraordinaire Shawn Chong.
Inspired by Chow Kit’s past as Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife hub, the cocktails here feature local ingredients reminiscent of Malaysian treats, presented as timeless classics with creative twists.
Expect the likes of The Great Colada which has Stolichnaya vodka, coconut, pineapple and Vitagen’s grape flavour, and A Currant Affair which is a blend of Boodles gin, Ribena, lychee cordial, lime, roselle tea and soda.
Try the Breakfast of Champions with Wild Turkey bourbon, pandan-infused Milo, gula melaka and rice milk.
Visitors can also check out some aperitifs, house wines, mocktails and whiskey by the dram.
COLEY
6G, Jalan Abdullah, off Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 5pm to midnight daily except Sunday.
Reservations: 019-270 9179 (WhatsApp)
Tucked away in a quiet street of Bangsar, Coley pays homage to Ada Coleman (1875-1966), the late iconic female bartender of The Savoy in London, UK.
The bar’s cocktail menu plumbs the rich depths of local ingredients like coconut water, kedondong, pandan, asam boi and air mata kucing.
One item – the Gin and Coconut, which has London dry gin, coconut water and sugar – became such a hit that it is synonymous with the bar.
Another cocktail – Coley’s Hanky Panky – adds a unique twist to Coleman’s creation by using Jenever, a botanically rich spirit made in the Netherlands, mixed with London dry gin, sweet vermouth and Fernet-Branca.
Three X Co’s Anger’s Potion.
THREE X CO
Bangsar Shopping Centre, Lot T6A, Level 3, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar,
Business hours: 5pm to midnight (Monday to Thursday), 5pm to 1am (Friday and Saturday) and closes on Sunday, unless Monday is a public holiday.
Reservations: 019-336 6031
“Hidden” within Bangsar Shopping Centre, the unusual set-up of a vintage barbershop is the key to the entrance of Three X Co.
Choose from two main types of cocktails – the Cockytails Signature Series, which features local-and oriental-inspired cocktails, or the Inner Circle’s List, which offers classic cocktails with a modern twist
One of the highlights in the former category is the Eastern Poem cocktail that blends ginseng rootlets, gin infused with pei pa kou (traditional Chinese cough syrup) and East Imperial Yuzu tonic water.
Meanwhile, the Gentlemen Speak from the Inner Circle’s List is inspired by the classic Manhattan cocktail.
It uses Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon, Mancino Bianco vermouth, Bigallet China-China and bitters to bring about a more layered profile such as cinnamon, vanilla and orange notes.
The bar has won numerous awards, such as the 2018 Kuala Lumpur Best Gin and Tonic cocktail in the East Imperial Gin Jubilee contest as well as Malaysia Winner for Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge 2019.
Unveiling creations
Jann has new cocktails to pique your interest.
Jann
In seeking inspiration from old establishments in Chinatown, Jann has unveiled a series of new cocktails that relive memories of the bygone era.
Cocktails like Hawthorn – Chivas 12 Years, Hawthorn Shrub and watermelon – is served with the traditional favourites of haw flakes while Dan Tart comprising Martell NCF, butter, milk, egg yolk and vanilla is served with a mini croissant as it pays homage to Chinatown’s popular egg tarts.
The bar’s Dear Jann cocktail, which is a signature cocktail here, has been given a slight makeover with Olmeca Tequila, Absolut Blue Vodka, Lillet Blanc calamansi cordial and citric compared to its previous gin-based version.
The reason for the change is in keeping with Jann’s, the hotel owner’s daughter, preference in cocktails.
For something more fun, witness the blue-coloured Hu Li Jing cocktail, consisting of Flor de Cana Seco rum, butterfly pea flower, licorice and sugar, take on a different hue when a squeeze of lime juice is added.
The drink was inspired by the Chinese Mythological creature Fox Spirit which is known for its ability to transform and create illusions.
Other new cocktails include Chok, Bak Kwa, Tau Foo Fah, Horlicks, Rex and Vitality.
For something Christmassy, Snow in Chinatown is the perfect drink with a silky blend of Jameson Black Barrel, Baileys Irish Cream, coconut, palm sugar and milk.
The Wintertide Emerald cocktail is a unique concoction of Jameson Original, Blue Curacao, wintermelon, lemon, cream and salted caramel.
Visitors can also celebrate New Year’s Eve at the hotel’s top-floor alfresco venue and count down to 2023 with DJ Chinois.
Entry tickets to Jann is from RM150+ per person which includes a welcome drink and free flow of selected cocktails, house pouring wine and beer.
Jann is located at Level 7, Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur. It opens from 4pm to midnight.
For reservations, call 012 507 3327.
Xun Bar is one of the latest bar destinations in Damansara Uptown.
Xun Bar
This newly-opened bar at Damansara Uptown in Petaling Jaya has a wide range of cocktails catering to all palates.
Named after a Mandarin word -– xun – which means a little tipsy, the idea here is for visitors to have just enough drinks for the night.
The hidden bar serves mostly gin-based cocktails with creative combinations that are not too spirit-forward.
Whiskey Jam Sour cocktail.
Some of the signature include Whiskey Jam Sour cocktail which is a blend of Monkey Shoulder whiskey, strawberry jam, Angostura bitters and fresh lemon juice while the Seylove cocktail is a concoction of gin, lavender, egg white and lemon.
The Drunk Earl Grey featuring gin, earl grey, lemon and honey is a must-try for tea lovers.
The bar also has a room for large groups and French-inspired dishes are something else to look forward to.
Located at 72M (mezzanine floor), Jalan SS 21/35, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, it opens from 5pm to 1am daily.
For reservations, call 014-328 7036 or 016-335 7732.
