Top Bars in Kuala Lumpur – Most Viewed (2025)

Nestled atop Menara KH in Bukit Bintang, Heli Lounge Bar is a rooftop experience unlike any other—a functional helipad by day, and a sleek aeronautical-styled cocktail lounge by night. Begin your journey indoors on the 34th floor in a chic aviation-themed lounge where staff don pilot uniforms, aircraft parts are repurposed into decor, and music flows from resident DJs spinning upbeat house, EDM, and R&B. From 6 pm onward (check opening times below), ascend two flights of stairs to the 36th-floor helipad, where the city unfolds beneath you in an unobstructed 360° panorama—city lights, the iconic Petronas Towers, KL Tower, and distant hills framing unforgettable sunsets. Seating here is casual—portable chairs and tables—so you can soak in the view with your drink in hand. The drink menu features classic cocktails (from around RM15–RM36), beer, wine, spirits, and house specialties like the "Hellusion," "Dine In The Air," or "Red Baron," typically RM33–36 each. Pair your drink with bar snacks: buffalo “Heli” wings, crispy prawns, cheesy meatballs, chips, hot dogs, and more. Dress smart casual after 9 pm (no shorts, sleeveless tops, or slippers), and note there’s a minimum spend on weekends (≈RM100 after 9 pm Thu–Sat). Open-day helipad use includes a RM13–50 entry fee which often includes a drink and access—reservations are advised for prime sunset slots. Heli Lounge Bar blends aerial adventure with urban sophistication—perfect for sunset chasers, skyline lovers, and party-seekers alike. Catch a sunrise session or yoga & brunch earlier in the day (new). Ideal for groups, dates, or events seeking a truly sky-high vibe.

Tucked beneath Bangunan Ming Annexe at 9 Jalan Ampang, Omakase + Appreciate redefined Malaysia’s cocktail scene from its opening in April 2013 until closing on 6 April 2020. This tiny, sub-basement hideaway — accessible via an unmarked door reading “Dilarang Masuk – No Admittance” — quickly became Kuala Lumpur’s coolest speakeasy and a pioneer in the region's mixology renaissance. Inside, the bar seats about 25, with a minimalist marble‑topped counter, Japanese simplicity, and ambient lighting that set the stage for craft cocktails and close bartender‑guest interaction . Founders Shawn Chong and Karl Too brought distinct styles: Shawn infused Japanese omakase technique into drinks, while Karl favored more Western, classic approaches — both resulting in imaginative, award‑winning creations like Jungle Bird, Oriental Pearl, Monk’s Refresher and Whisky Cobbler. Patrons would often skip the printed menu in favor of the "omakase" option — letting the bartenders tailor cocktails to moods, flavors, or spirits available. Prices hovered around RM 40 (~USD 9‑10), reflecting premium ingredients and craftsmanship. The venue also hosted guest bartender sessions, tastings, and pop‑ups, drawing international acclaim — including ranking #10 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2016. Despite the acclaim, financial challenges and increasing competition led to its permanent closure on their seventh anniversary, 6 April 2020. Yet its legacy lives on in Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant cocktail culture and in the stories of cocktail lovers who experienced one of Malaysia’s most creative and personal bars.

PS150 is a hidden cocktail bar nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. Disguised behind the façade of an old toy shop at 150 Jalan Petaling, this speakeasy-style bar invites patrons into a world that pays homage to the rich history of cocktails.​ Upon entering, guests traverse through three distinct spaces, each representing a different era of cocktail history: the intimate 'Opium Den' with its vintage charm, the open-air 'Tiki' courtyard adorned with lush greenery, and the vibrant 'Main Bar' area illuminated by neon lights and lined with an extensive selection of spirits.​ PS150's cocktail menu is a curated journey through time, featuring five eras: Vintage (1850s–1910s), Prohibition (1920s–1930s), Tiki (1940s–1960s), Disco (1970s–2000s), and Contemporary (late 2000s–present). Each section offers reimagined classics and innovative creations, often infused with bold Southeast Asian flavors like asam boi, pandan, and ginger.​ The bar's ambiance combines the mystique of a bygone era with modern sophistication, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a unique nightlife experience. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, to secure a spot in this intimate venue.

Bar Trigona, located within the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, stands out as one of Asia’s most celebrated cocktail destinations. Named after the tiny native Trigona bees of Malaysia, this bar champions sustainability and local sourcing in a creative and refined setting. What makes it exceptional is the use of locally sourced honey from stingless bees and native herbs, roots, and fruits, all of which are delicately integrated into a modern mixology experience. Led by award-winning head bartender Ashish Sharma, the team crafts cocktails that are more than just drinks—they are a sensory exploration of Malaysian terroir. Signature creations like the “Trigona Old Fashioned” incorporate homemade honey blends, and you’ll find every drink layered with complexity and storytelling. The bar also offers a sustainable cocktail program where guests are encouraged to "adopt" part of a honey-producing hive, promoting eco-conscious drinking. Elegant interiors with floor-to-ceiling views of Kuala Lumpur's skyline, combined with a moody and sophisticated ambiance, make Bar Trigona not just a place for drinks but an elevated experience. It has earned multiple accolades, including being featured in Asia’s 50 Best Bars and receiving awards for sustainability in bar operations. Whether you're a curious cocktail explorer or a seasoned connoisseur, Bar Trigona promises a deep dive into Malaysia’s natural flavors with unmatched finesse.

Established in 2017, JungleBird pioneered Kuala Lumpur’s first dedicated rum bar and quickly became a mainstay on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, ranking around #35–37 in recent years. Nestled above a row of shophouses in stylish Bukit Damansara, its first-floor venue features bamboo furniture, wicker armchairs, leather banquettes, and tropical prints—fostering an inviting vibe that evokes a beachside tiki escape. Large windows flood the space with daylight before it transforms into an atmospheric, dim-lit cocktail lounge by night. JungleBird’s ethos is “Rumah Rum” (House of Rum), boasting an ever-growing collection of 250–300 rum labels from around the globe, including rare and collectible bottlings such as aged Ron Zacapa and Black Tot, offered at premium pricing. Their signature cocktail menu, “Rummin’ Around the World,” explores flavors from classic and regional rum-growing cultures—think pandan‑and‑kaffir cocktails like The Grass Is Always Greener, alongside creative serves like Cendol Colada and Strawberries & Cream. A separate “Appendage” menu showcases equally refined non‑rum cocktails like the Tingly Zesty‑Pop Gimlet, Sunshine Fizz, and Maria Full of Grace (spicy tequila‑based). Cocktails typically range RM48–55, with rum flights and whisky pours available at higher tiers. Casual food options—like Cuban‑inspired Cubanos, tacos (especially on Taco Thursdays), Jamaican patties, and vegan carnitas—offer satisfying pairings. Patrons rave about the warm hospitality, creativity, and relaxed tropical ambiance. Open Wednesday–Thursday 4 pm–1 am, Friday 4 pm–2 am, and Saturday–Sunday from 2 pm to late, reservations recommended.

Tucked into a quieter corner of Bangsar, Coley delivers a cocktail experience that balances refinement with rebellion. Founded by industry veteran CK “Kho Chee Keong” Kho (aka CK Kho), this bar pays homage to Ada “Coley” Coleman of the Savoy, channeling her inventive spirit into every sip. After beginning as a popup, Coley found a permanent home on Jalan Abdullah, where an elegant design refresh by Karen Mok transformed it into a polished, textured space built for both conversation and discovery. Walk in, and the entrance greets you with pebbled flooring, lush greenery, and a vibe that’s both sophisticated and welcoming. There’s a long bar for watching cocktails being crafted, lounge-style seating for groups, and intimate low tables for couples. The décor juxtaposes raw, tropical and retro industrial elements—terracotta floors, concrete walls with custom finishes, vaulting ceiling details, vintage lights—all flowing together for a “tropical underground but open” feel. The drink menu is where Coley really shines. CK Kho alongside head bartender (Loco Rockefeller) reinterprets classics—martinis, Old Fashioned-style drinks, stirred brown spirits—and splashes them with local flavor and unexpected ingredients. You’ll find cheeky creations like Peanut Butter & Jelly (tequila-based playfulness with roasted peanuts & blueberry) and a Hanky Panky aged in clay pot, next to more refreshing longer serves like Gin & Coconut or Vodka & Pear with green tea. The craft spirits are treated with respect, and service is friendly, unpretentious but very aware—if you want deeper stories behind the flavors, they’ll give them.

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.

Concealed above the streets of Bukit Damansara lies Reka:Bar—a “postmodern flavour lab” and one of Kuala Lumpur’s most boundary-pushing cocktail experiences. Since opening in November 2021, Reka has quickly climbed to prominence, earning a spot among Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. The bar is designed like a futuristic spaceship workshop: glowing neon strips, low ceilings, sleek grey marble bar counters, and sophisticated mixology equipment like rotary evaporators, centrifuges, and fermentation vessels line the ‘Flavour Lab.’. The name “Reka”, meaning “creation,” reflects the bar’s ethos—crafting novel sensory experiences through innovative techniques. Cocktail offerings revolve around creative menus like "The Domino Effect," where each drink shares a key ingredient with the next—creating a playful chain reaction of flavor. There’s also the Spotlight Menu, which explores themes in depth. Ingredients are maximized—banana peels, jackfruit seeds, and other underused components are repurposed, reflecting the team’s sustainability commitment. Cofounder Nick Choo describes Reka as a journey of the senses inspired by “a place where we could take guests on an adventure,” capturing both the lab-like aesthetic and experiential aim. Behind the bar, head bartenders Joel Poon and team deliver molecular-level craftsmanship, often inviting guests into the “playground” to witness the extraction and flavor-development process up close. Complementing the cocktails is an elevated bar-bite menu—think popcorn chicken wings, creative fusion snacks like jackfruit seed pakoras, and visually striking desserts—all designed to match the scientific artistry of the drinks. Operationally, Reka:Bar is smart casual but cheekily notes that even a “great Burning Man costume” is welcome. Reservations are highly recommended—and nearly essential—to secure one of the coveted 20 bar-counter or table seats in this intimate space.