Bar Trigona at the Four Seasons Hotel is one of the best in the city known for sustainable cocktails using ingredients made by local farmers. Its successful programs like “Adopt a Beehive” and Tree-Volution (a reforestation initiative which plants fruit trees around Malaysian farms) led to a special drink menu featuring cocktails that introduces growers behind the ingredients

Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur is home to one of the trendiest bars, if not THE trendiest, in the city. Vertigo is the highest rooftop bar in all of Malaysia, making it the most ideal hotspot to indulge in an artisanal cocktail, such as: Mount Genting (gin, dry vermouth, lime juice, lychee, raspberry syrup, egg white,) or Gula Melaka Mojito (rum, lime wedge, spearmint, soda water, gula melaka which is palm sugar made from saps of coconut palms,) and Lemongrass Caipirinha (dark rum, lime juice, sugar, fresh lemongrass.)

Along with delicious cocktails, here you can munch on local Malaysian snacks like satay and salted eggs popcorn chicken.

The rooftop hotspot is extended to Vertigo TOO, a late-night hangout with a live DJ as it elevates the open-air nightlife experience to a whole new level on the 60th floor. With an even more expansive 360-degree view of the bustling Golden Triangle, Vertigo TOO is a panoramic venue for fun events. The best part about both venues is that they welcome guests who aren’t staying at the hotel.

A proper gin bar, Pahit’s gin & tonic menu alone is lengthy since it encompasses almost every gin from around the world. Each gin is then matched with a tonic that perfectly balances the chosen gin. This classic British favorite comes in a wide array of Malaysian twists: ginger, lychee, coconut…just to name a few. The cocktail menu also expands to other signatures with modern takes. This is the sister bar to Coley (see below,) and hidden between two bustling streets: Jalan Hang Jebat and Jalan Pudu. Yet the bar itself sits tranquilly, simply cool.

Coley and Pahit go together like chic siblings. Situated in Bangsar district – KL’s lively nightlife area – Coley began as a popup in 2014 but since then, it has become quite the trendy staple. The menu features iconic cocktails by implementing Malaysian ingredients, tastes and aromas. Although, the names are a bit more tongue and cheek: Pumpty-Time (for Christmas,) Hanky Panky, Spiced Tequila & Apple, Papillon Eye…you get the drift?

Penrose is a fine example of Kuala Lumpur’s growing thrill in the art of mixology. Think simplicity and minimalism. The bar table is the heart of Penrose, meaning that the bartenders prefer if you sit at the counter where you can chat or observe their meticulous artistry. Local roots are shown in contemporary narratives on cocktails we all know well. Negroni, for example, is infused with oolong tea. The Storm & Spice is made with tequila, pear, tarragon, ginger and mulberry.

Located in the epicenter of Chinatown’s Petaling Street, PS150 can appear somewhat obscure as it’s inside a pre-war boutique and a little stationary store. But there’s utmost charm within a rustic throwback of a former brothel and a warehouse. There are three main areas of the bar, which symbolizes the three eras of Indochina and drinks. From Opium Den, Tiki (Post-War,) to Disco & Contemporary. The cocktails served in each area is reflective of its time!

Concubine KL is, obviously, an Asian-inspired bar right in Chinatown. To enter, follow the yellow brick walls until you encounter noise and chatter. Seductive murals and vintage decorations transport guests back in time. Hike up the neon lit stairs, and you’ll approach another bar on the second floor.  Concubine KL also offers outdoor balcony space. From cocktails to wine, the ambiance here is not only a major draw but also a sexy place to spend a few hours.