Ferria has a luxe rainforest theme.
G-STRING KL
No.147, Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 5pm until late
Reservations: 013-938 6322
AS its name suggests, G-string cocktail bar strives to create a sexy, intimate setting for its visitors.
The “G” in its name represents gin, a lighter liquor option that appeals to female customers and is used in most of the cocktails here.
The interior has pinkish neon lighting, floral sofas and lacy decorations covering the ceiling while vintage television sets, radios and lamps owned by co-owner Desvin Tew, flank the bar.
The bar revamped its cocktail menu recently.
Signature drinks include Blue Bird Paradise which is a mix of gin, sour grapefruit, Blue Curacao and yuzu while the more spirit- forward Bible Black is a concoction of whiskey and yuzu.
Some of the more fruity combinations include Watermelon Sugar High, which is a mix of brandy, Lillet Rose, watermelon liquor, elderflower and fresh watermelon.
CONCUBINE KL
Lot 2, Jalan Panggong, KL
Business hours: 4pm to 1am, closed on Mondays
Reservations: 011-6090 2416
Inspired by Concubine Lane in Ipoh, Perak, this bar adopts a modern, feminine and sassy theme.
The bar owners wanted to break away from the stereotyping of concubines and its negative depictions.
Based on the etymology of the Chinese character, the word “concubine” has two elements – the top part means “independent” while the lower half represents the idea of a woman.
Expect tropical ingredients in Concubine’s cocktails.
The Jackfruit is concocted with dry gin, absinthe and sweet vermouth with jackfruit and clarified milk.
Empress Negroni puts an Asian twist to the classic cocktail by adding oolong tea to dry gin, Campari and Maraschino.
HER HOUSE
No.63D, Jalan Sultan, Chinatown, KL
Business hours: 5pm 1am daily
Reservations: 017-227 3220
Her House is a hidden bar in a historical building located in downtown Kuala Lumpur that was once an antique store and mahjong cafe.
Visitors are sure to feel like they have been transported to a world that’s very different from the otherwise heritage-rich Jalan Sultan.
Open since January, Her House offers an intimate and comfortable space for dates and parties.
One of its signature cocktails, Most Wanted, is made of lard soaked in Baijiu, cognac, sherry, honey, fresh orange and lemon juice served with a piece of pork jerky.
Flirt and Romance is a concoction of salmon fat-washed vodka, honey soy ginger glaze, fresh lemon and orange juice.
Other cocktails to try out here include What If, Envy Me and Green Curtain.
Draft Guinness, shooters, gin, whisky and vodka are also available.
XUN BAR
No.72M (mezzanine floor), Jalan SS 21/35, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya
Business hours: 5pm to 1am daily
Reservations: 014-328 7036
This newly opened bar in Damansara Uptown has a wide range of cocktails catering to all palates.
Named after a Mandarin word – xun – which means a little tipsy, the idea behind the bar 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.
Some of the signatures 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 its French-inspired dishes are something to look forward to.
TAPS BEER BAR
No.1, Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 3pm to 11pm daily
Reservations: 03-2110 4836, 011-6978 0780
Taps Beer Bar in Bukit Bintang is bringing back its “Live Music Sunday’s Back to ’90s”.
From 5pm, patrons will be transported back to the 1990s with soulful music by Richard Lim and Joven Goce while they enjoy the barbecue.
The bar also offers a special selection craft beers.
To ensure the diversity and range of quality craft beers, the bar regularly rotates its selection.
It has served over 800 types, including some of the best craft beers in the market.
This week, it has Young Master Brewery Tap Takeover with new beers Kelabu Kelapa, Jambu Ale, Neon City and Jade Scorpion.
Patrons can enjoy the barbecue, craft beer and good vibes from 5pm.
Toast to Ipoh, the tropics
Maria's Signature
MARIA’S SIGNATURE
Lot 157, First Floor, Suria KLCC Shopping Centre, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 11am to 9pm.
Reservations: 010-902 0386
PRIMARILY known for its prime beef cuts and steaks, Maria’s has a cocktail menu created by a renowned mixologist.
Crafted by Malaysia’s first female award-winning mixologist Amanda Wan, the 10-cocktail menu reflects Maria’s origins, using Ipoh’s signature ingredients.Take the Pompaloma drink for example. It uses the pomelo, which is synonymous with Ipoh, mixed with Reposado tequila, grapefruit juice, agave syrup and lime juice with pomelo pulp added for the extra texture.
The cocktail is refreshing with sweet and sour notes.
Ipoh’s famous peanut brittle is incorporated into the Sesame Sour cocktail that’s inspired by whiskey sour.
It’s a mix of bourbon, roasted hazelnut toffee syrup, lemon juice, sesame oil and egg white.
The spirit-forward Oolong Fashioned is a concoction of bourbon infused with longan, oolong tea syrup, Angostura bitters and torched longan shell.
The longan dipped in bourbon that is served on top of the cocktail can be used to stir the drink for added flavour.
Other cocktails include Violet Tonic with a lavender- and-butterfly pea infused gin, elderflower, pandan syrup, lime juice and dried rosebuds.
Earl Grey Tea-Ni is a mix of vodka, milk-clarified Earl Grey tea, rose syrup, lemon juice, egg white, crushed rosebuds and orange slivers.
The cocktail menu is available at Maria’s outlets in Bangsar, KLCC, 1Powerhouse and Sunway.
FERRIA KL
Westin Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, KL
Business hours: noon to midnight
Reservation: 010-3031122
Amid the hustle and bustle in the concrete jungle of Kuala Lumpur, Ferria KL is a gateway to the Amazon, transporting one into an incredible sensorial and gastronomic experience.
It is a luxe rainforest- themed bar restaurant that offers sumptuous cuisine from the grill.
The bar offers a range of cocktails inspired by the flavours and ingredients of the tropical rainforest, each served in unique glassware.
Rum is the base for most of the cocktails, others use whiskey.
Tropical fruits like pineapples give citrusy, refreshing notes.
Signature cocktails include Monkey Business that has rum, Malibu rum and coconut cream which has a sweet, fruity and tropical taste that makes it perfect for a sunny day or to wind down.
For something more zesty, try Fun in the Wild that is made of gin, passionfruit and lime.
The ingredients create a well-balanced drink with a complex flavour profile.
