Hidden bars—also known as speakeasies—were more of a demand than a trend during the American silent era but that has all evolved. Now, the modern-day speakeasy bar phenomenon has taken up all around the world, and KL is no exception. Thus, Glitz has compiled a list of the top hidden bars in KL City Centre. These unique spots will jazz up your nights beyond excitement—some obscure inside toy shops and crypt walls, and some fashioned by Chinese mystery tales and superstitions. Good luck discovering these hidden places.
The Best Speakeasy Bars In KL
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1. Tickets KL Bar
Take a seat and embark on a journey through the kaleidoscope of flavour at Tickets KL Bar, an inventive creation by the widely recognized PS150. Its secret entrance masquerades as an ordinary office, challenging guests to solve thrilling puzzles for entry. The menu is a passport to a boozy adventure across the globe, offering an exquisite elixir of curated tipples, including gin-credible flights such as the Alkkemist, As de Picos, and Sakurao Gin Limited Edition.
What sets Tickets KL Bar apart from other speakeasy bars is its thematic concept, with an annual program change ensuring a continuously new immersive experience for patrons. This year, they collaborated with Monkey47, transforming it into the Monkey Temple in Malaysia. The menu serves a variety of exclusive cocktails and the elusive Monkey Barrel — a rare find available only at Tickets KL Bar.
For more information & to make a reservation, click here
| Address | G05A, Ground Floor Republik Damansara,1, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours | Tuesday – Sunday: 6 pm – 2 am. Closed on Monday |
| Contact Details | +603 7622 8765 |
2. The Attic Bar
Travel Hub Guesthouse’s bar on the third tier is a discrete spot for drinkers, located near the lively district of Petaling Street. To get to the bar, go through the back of the residence on the first level and up a spiral staircase. Birdcages, wall sconces, bean bags, and concrete walls are used to adorn the bar in a DIY style. Drinks start at RM10, with classic cocktails at RM24. This pub is particularly unusual in that it provides ‘Game of Thrones’ themed beverages. It’s a great place to unwind with a cocktail.
| Address: | Third Floor, 15, Jalan Balai Polis, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan |
| Operating Hours: | Daily: 5pm – 2am |
| Contact Details: | +6012 393 8627 |
3. PS150
Sequestered among the pre-war shop lots at Petaling Street, PS150 is aptly hidden in unlikely places adjacent to a tiny stationery shop. Upon entering behind its unassuming facade, guests will be greeted with cosy booths that lead to an outdoor patio for an enviable retreat. The zenith of its pathway is the evocative bar tucked deep within the store. Featuring three distinct seating areas, meticulously designed to exude the rich history of different eras of Indochine and cocktails, PS150 offers an extensive selection of imbibe features.
The cocktails are curated with inspiration from the bold flavours of Southeast Asia. Additionally, the cocktail list is divided into five different historical periods: Vintage, Prohibition, Tiki, Disco, and Contemporary, in which the PS150 original mixes are served alongside a key cocktail that has been reimagined for each era. The highlight of the menu is its Greatest Hits, which include signature tipples like Ketayap Flip, Don’t Say Bojio, Asam-Boi Rita, and Pandan Muka.
For more information & to make a reservation, click here
| Address | Ground Floor, 150, Jalan Petaling, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. |
| Opening Hours | Tuesday – Sunday: 6 pm – 2 am |
| Contact Details | +603 7622 8777 |
4. The First Chapter
Tell you a secret, there’s a perfect speakeasy bar for booklovers in KL! Inspired by their own love for books, the founders of The First Chapter Speakeasy really tied it back to what speakeasies are all about. The entryway itself is a secret bookshelf that we’re sure bookworms will be excited about. So, you should definitely keep a lookout for any hidden bookshelves that may lead to a secret bar! Inspired by speakeasies from New York’s prohibition era, the interior is where industrial meets contemporary.
With marble, concrete and dark wood throughout, this dimly lit bar creates a cosy atmosphere perfect for date night. Their happy hour goes up to 9pm and craft cocktails start from RM30+. What’s more, is that this speakeasy also offers a book exchange and borrowing program so you can borrow books from their shelf! If you want to keep the book, all you have to do is replace it with a title of your own.
| Address: | 139a, Jln Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating Hours: | Wed-Sat: 5pm – 12am | Closed on Mondays, Saturdays & Sundays |
| Contact Details: | +6011 2319 2556 |
5. Suzie Wong
Suzie Wong is one of Kuala Lumpur’s top and most prestigious bistros, famous for its nightly live music and burlesque performances. This bar was influenced by the early 1950s Chinese styling of Hong Kong’s historic Lan Kwai Fong. It is adorned with everything Chinese, making you feel like you are dwelling in old Hong Kong. Suzie Wong’s best cocktails are the Robert Lomax (RM28), which is similar to a Negroni, and The Smoked Old Fashioned (RM 28), which is made with a single malt whisky, lime juice, and liqueurs.
| Address: | Wisma Lim Foo Yoong, 86, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating Hours: | Wed-Sat: 6pm – 1am |
| Contact Details: | +6017 226 6480 |
6. The Deceased
If you liked horror-themes series like The Haunting of Hill House, you’ll love The Deceased, which has blood splattering on the surfaces and strange interpretations of Chinese ideas about deaths and rituals. The beverages at the Deceased bar, which is housed in a former Chinese drugstore, enhance the theme. For their drink menu, they use local mystical legends, such as the Hantu Air and Toyol. Tea will be presented in old teapots and mugs, with wounded fingers and corpses on the side.
| Address: | 55, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating Hours: | Wed-Mon: 5pm – 12am | Closed on Tuesdays |
| Contact Details: | +6012 596 2078 |
7. The Vault KL
The Vault is definitely the speakeasy bar to go to if you’re looking for an excuse to play dress up with negronis and martinis on hand. This exquisite Prohibition-era tavern is perfect for a romantic evening out. Reservations are strongly advised if you intend to secure a table. If you enjoy negronis and martinis, The Vault is the place to go. Aside from that, other DJs play at the Vault every day. Please remember that this pub has a rigorous strict dress code, so no slippers or cargo shorts are allowed. The Vault KL is dedicated to serving world-class drinks and offering great hospitality in a setting that will satisfy even the most discerning drinker.
| Address: | 5, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, Taman Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating Hours: | Thurs-Sat: 5pm – 2am |
| Contact Details: | +6012 465 0551 |
8. The Locker & Loft
This hidden gem in Damansara Kim has a wide selection of Asian-inspired small meals with an accent on creative cocktails and other drinks. This location is appropriately adorned with a storage barrier. Despite its small size, the bar is merely classy. Their drinks are made with an unusual mix of traditional spices and foreign liquor. The Bang Pow, Jacked U, and Mada Asghar are among those recommended. The cocktails here are priced between RM25 and RM30 for each drink.
| Address: | 40A, Jalan SS 20/10, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
| Operating Hours: | Tues-Sun: 5pm – 1am | Closed on Mondays |
| Contact Details: | +6017 377 3766 |
9. Skullduggery
Once you read this name, the first thing that comes to mind is probably skulls. In fact, this bar is fully adorned with bronze skulls. They give their injections using a toy railroad. This bar, which is equipped with old padded couches, exudes both grandeur and wickedness. Speed and skill are essential at this bar. With the use of expensive and artisan beverages, the bartenders improve the old favourites. The house drinks, on the other hand, are imaginative and complicated, with flavours like truffle-infused vodka, seaweed agave, and cardamom milk jam.
| Address: | 2M Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating Hours: | Tues-Sat: 6pm – 1am | Closed on Mondays & Sundays |
| Contact Details: | +6017 266 7335 |
10. Her House
When your friends ask you where to hang out tonight, just say Her House! A speakeasy bar located in Chinatown, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled to find it. At first glance, you might not even consider it, but this speakeasy bar is hidden atop a pre-war shophouse that looks a bit too sus. But if you’ve got the guts, climb up to the black metal door and give it a nudge to enter a whole other world! Its run-down exterior is a facade for an eclectic bar filled with mirrors and neon lights. The perfect spot to chill and party all night long!
| Address: | 63 D, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours: | Daily: 4pm – 12am |
| Contact Details: | +6017 227 3220 |
11. Upstairs at The Crane KL
If you’re dining at The Crane KL, don’t be surprised to find a hidden bar Upstairs! While the restaurant downstairs is filled with greens and crane decorations, Upstairs is drenched in blood-red cabinets and lights. This hidden speakeasy bar hides behind a wall of traditional Chinese cabinets. To unsuspecting visitors, it may just be a decorative wall. But you know the secret now! They serve an array of liquor and cocktails for you to indulge the whole night. Grab some friends and head to Upstairs for a chill and relaxing night after a hearty meal at The Crane.
| Address: | 78, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours: | Tues-Sun: 4pm – 1am | Closed on Mondays |
| Contact Details: | +6012 209 7057 |
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