The Deceased

Hidden above a backpacker’s inn in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, The Deceased is not for the faint of heart. Accessed via a blue door marked with a yellow amulet, you ascend a staircase painted with dozens of eerie eyes—and audio whispers that suggest you’re not alone—until you reach a chilling speakeasy straight from a nightmare. It is themed like an apothecary turned haunt, its walls lined with vintage Chinese medicine cabinets, skulls, dolls, joss stick altars, and flickering red lighting that immerse you in a ghostly ambiance. Cocktails are theatrically macabre: one might be served in a traditional Chinese bowl with “hell money” and a lit incense, another presented with balloons, smoke, or a “curse” scroll—like the “Petty Person Beating” or the “Tea of Oblivion.” Prices typically range from RM35 to RM55. Surprisingly, the atmosphere up there is convivial, not just creepy. Communal wooden tables on the rooftop invite chatter under dim lighting, and music sets a moody tone with R&B, house, and chill beats. The bar encourages reservations—especially on weekends—through Facebook or WhatsApp, with the added intrigue of a six-digit access code required to enter. The Deceased cleverly subverts fear into fun. What starts as apprehension gives way to fascination, as guests sip creatively spooky cocktails amid haunting décor and occasionally order bar bites like mac‑and‑cheese or nachos served from skull bowls. For those who prefer a proper meal, food from the café below can be ordered upstairs. In short, The Deceased is a sensory and storytelling cocktail experience—thrilling, immersive, and delightfully unsettling. Its seamless blend of horror motifs, Asian folklore, and theatrical mixology makes every visit feel like lifting the veil between worlds.