XUN BAR
72M (mezzanine), Jalan SS 21/35 Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya
Business hours: 5pm to 1am daily
Reservations: 014-328 7036
This bar in Damansara Uptown has a wide range of cocktails catering to all palates.
Xun – means “a little tipsy” in Mandarin.
The idea behind the bar’s concept 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 Whisky Jam Sour cocktail which is a blend of Monkey Shoulder whisky, 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.
Seylove at Xun Bar.
NINETALES MALAYSIA
21-L1, Jalan SS 23/15 Taman Sea, PJ
Business hours: 4pm to 1am, daily except Sundays
Reservations: 012-677 0101
The bar’s name is not to be mistaken with the nine-tailed fox spirit in Oriental legends.
It refers to nine signature cocktails depicting fairy tale characters.
For example, the Tinkerbell cocktail is made with Beefeater gin with lychee, lemongrass and Blue Curacao, presented with a tiny fairy perched on the rim.
Aladdin, on the other hand, is made with Smirnoff vodka with cili padi (bird’s eye chilli), tropical fruits and curry leaves for hints of herb and spice.
Visitors can also try the main courses such as the Signature Ninetales Chicken Chop, Ninetales Ban Fan (rice with nine condiments), seared salmon with cream or the Mala Minced Pork Spaghetti.
Aladdin at Ninetales.
Takumi Craft Bar• Third Floor, Isetan The Gardens, The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur (11am to 11pm)
• Isetan The Japan Store, Lower Ground Floor, Lot 10 Shopping Centre, KL (Noon to 10pm weekdays, 11am to 10pm weekends and public holidays)
Reservations: 011-6978 0780 (for both outlets)
Touting itself as Malaysia’s first artisanal Japanese craft bar, Takumi Craft Bar offers curated craft beers and artisanal cocktails.
Its first outlet started in 2016 at Lot 10 in Kuala Lumpur and the bar recently opened its second outlet at The Gardens Mall.
With a fantastic line-up of signature Japanese cocktails like Suntory Highball and beers such as Hitachino Nest Craft Beers, the bar aims to give patrons the “real Japanese” drink experience that is complemented by omotenashi, which means “hospitality from our hearts”.
Besides craft beers, whisky, gin, rum, sake, spirits and highballs to cater to different tastes, there is also a tasting set of three for those who want to try more of what’s on tap.
Small bites such as snacks and pizzas are also available to accompany the drinks.
Suntory Highball at Takumi Craft Bar.
61 MONARCHY
61M, Jalan SS 21/1A, Damansara Utama, PJ
Business hours: 5pm to midnight (Monday to Thursday) and 5pm to 1am (Friday, Saturday and eve of public holidays)
Reservations: 018-213 9291
Vieux Carre at 61 Monarchy.
61 Monarchy boasts over 400 types of whisky from around the world, with the majority being Scotch single malts.
Established in 2015, it claims to be Petaling Jaya’s first whisky bar and serves classic whisky-based cocktails, whisky flights, barrel-aged cocktails and a variety of spirits ranging from rum and gin to wines and champagne.
It also offers cigars and takes pride in its collection of independently bottled wines and spirits.
A customised whisky flight journey can be ordered for guests keen to discover rare whiskies.
