Top Rated Bars in Malaysia 2025 – Tatler Asia’s Best 20 Bars and Pubs
Overview
Each year, Tatler Asia unveils its Best-in-Class Awards, honouring the most exceptional bars across Malaysia. The 2025 list celebrates establishments that embody creativity, hospitality, and a deep appreciation for local flavours — from Penang’s inventive Backdoor Bodega to Kuala Lumpur’s minimalist Penrose KL.
Here’s the full roundup of Malaysia’s top drinking destinations for 2025.
| Bar Name | Location | Highlights / Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Penrose KL | Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur | Bar of the Year, Best Service |
| Backdoor Bodega | George Town, Penang | Best Innovation |
| Reka:Bar | Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur | Best Design |
| Here & Now | Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur | Rising Star |
| Bar Terumi | Taman Paramount, Malaysia | Celebrates simplicity in drinks and design |
| Bar Trigona | Four Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | Award-winning bar highlighting local flavours |
| Bar Mizukami | Kuala Lumpur City Centre | Inspired by omakase-style cocktail experiences |
| Coley | Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur | Blends food and drink with unique flavours |
| Dissolved Solids | Damansara Kim, Malaysia | Coffee bar meets cocktail lab concept |
| Good Friends Club | Penang, Malaysia | Speakeasy tied deeply to Penang’s local culture |
| Ikiya 2.0 | Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Malaysia | Japanese minimalism with natural ingredients |
| Jann | Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur | Modern elegance with nostalgic Petaling Street flair |
| JungleBird | Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia’s first dedicated rum bar |
| No Bar Here | Penang, Malaysia | Retro disco-era cocktail experience |
| Pahit | Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur | Gin-focused bar with 150+ global varieties |
| Rakh | Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur | Culinary-inspired craft beverage approach |
| Soma Cocktail Bar | Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Malaysia | Nostalgic, dessert-inspired local cocktails |
| Three X Co | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Speakeasy known for education and guest shifts |
| Triptyk | Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur | Sustainability-focused, low-ABV cocktails |
| Vér | Kuala Lumpur City Centre | Nadodi’s fine-dining cocktail bar & lounge |
🥇 Penrose KL
Awards: Bar of the Year, Best Service
Location: Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur
Opened in 2022, Penrose KL combines precision mixology with an intimate minimalist setting. Led by award-winning bartender Jon Lee, the bar blends classic and contemporary cocktail techniques. Every drink is an exploration in balance, detail, and hospitality.
🧠 Backdoor Bodega
Award: Best Innovation
Location: George Town, Penang
A George Town hidden gem that celebrates the flavours of Penang, Backdoor Bodega pays homage to local heritage through inventive cocktails and storytelling. Expect tropical, spice-laden signatures that push creative boundaries while staying true to its island roots.
🎨 Reka:Bar
Award: Best Design
Location: Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Known for its futuristic chemistry-lab aesthetic, Reka:Bar reimagines Asian flavours with a focus on sustainable mixology. Each menu tells a story through flavour, art, and science, making it one of KL’s most talked-about cocktail destinations.
🌟 Here & Now
Award: Rising Star
Location: Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Located at The Five, Here & Now presents modern tropical cocktails with a playful twist. Expect vibrant flavours, fun cocktails on tap, and a laid-back yet stylish atmosphere that invites conversation and experimentation.
Bar Terumi
Location: Taman Paramount, Malaysia
This minimalist cocktail bar focuses on the beauty of simplicity, from its clean interiors to elegantly restrained cocktails. Each drink is designed to highlight purity and balance — an understated standout in the suburban cocktail scene.
Bar Trigona
Location: Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur, City Centre
An award-winning bar long celebrated for its sustainable practices and celebration of Malaysian ingredients. Bar Trigona continues to impress with cocktails featuring local honey, herbs, and fruits — redefining what luxury drinking in Malaysia means.
Bar Mizukami
Location: Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Drawing inspiration from omakase dining, Bar Mizukami delivers a refined, personalised cocktail experience. The menu evolves with the seasons, emphasizing craftsmanship, balance, and the Japanese art of hospitality.
Coley
Location: Bangsar, Malaysia
An iconic neighbourhood bar, Coley blurs the line between food and drink. With creative infusions and approachable sophistication, it remains a beloved choice among KL’s cocktail connoisseurs.
Dissolved Solids
Location: Damansara Kim, Malaysia
More than just a bar, this multifaceted space transitions seamlessly from coffee to cocktails. Each beverage showcases a technical yet warm approach — a true reflection of Malaysia’s evolving café-bar culture.
Good Friends Club
Location: Penang, Malaysia
A Penang speakeasy interwoven with local culture. Beyond its quirky cocktails, Good Friends Club offers a nostalgic ambience that captures the spirit of the island’s nightlife community.
Ikiya 2.0
Location: Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Malaysia
Merging Japanese elegance with natural simplicity, Ikiya 2.0 serves cocktails that emphasize purity and craftsmanship. Expect a tranquil setting with minimalist design and heartfelt hospitality.
Jann
Location: Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur
Situated in the heart of Petaling Street, Jann brings modern sophistication with nostalgic flair. Its cocktails pay tribute to the cultural heritage of Chinatown while staying contemporary and chic.
JungleBird
Location: Bukit Damansara, Malaysia
Malaysia’s first dedicated rum bar, JungleBird is home to an extensive global rum collection. Its tropical, vibrant energy embodies the laid-back spirit of island living — perfect for both connoisseurs and casual drinkers.
No Bar Here
Location: Penang, Malaysia
A cosy, disco-era-inspired bar that transports you to the golden age of cocktails. Expect retro vibes, vinyl tunes, and fun reinterpretations of classic recipes.
Pahit
Location: Bukit Bintang, Malaysia
Housed in a charming heritage building, Pahit is Malaysia’s gin paradise with over 150 varieties from around the world. Its relaxed setting and botanical creativity make it a staple in KL’s cocktail map.
Rakh
Location: Bukit Damansara, Malaysia
Taking its name from the Urdu and Hindi word for “ash,” Rakh explores the culinary artistry of crafted beverages — fusing food techniques and drink innovation in a refined yet soulful way.
Soma Cocktail Bar
Location: Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Malaysia
A nostalgic bar serving alcohol-infused desserts and modern cocktails with local flair. Soma’s playful approach — such as spiced-rum Tau Fu Fah — evokes Malaysian comfort flavours in unexpected forms.
Three X Co
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Known for its speakeasy charm and classic bar craft, Three X Co cultivates a culture of learning and exploration with regular guest shifts and mixology masterclasses.
Triptyk
Location: Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur
Housed in a historical building, Triptyk embraces sustainability and low-ABV creativity. Its mindful approach to cocktails and design makes it one of KL’s most forward-thinking bars.
Vér
Location: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia
The elegant cocktail bar and lounge by Nadodi restaurant, Vér celebrates fine dining’s intersection with mixology — offering refined pairings and exquisite presentation in an intimate setting.
Conclusion
From sleek omakase-inspired lounges to hidden Penang speakeasies, Tatler Asia’s Best Bars Malaysia 2025 list showcases the country’s thriving cocktail landscape — one that balances innovation, tradition, and heart. Whether you seek artistry, intimacy, or bold experimentation, Malaysia’s top bars offer a world-class drinking experience worth raising a glass to.
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