Best Cocktail Bars in KL & PJ – Where to Drink in Style

KL’s Coolest Cocktail Bars to Sip, Snap & Repeat

Whether you’re in it for the ‘Gram, the good times, or just a damn good drink, Kuala Lumpur’s cocktail scene is nothing short of world-class. With a growing list of bars earning international acclaim (hello, Asia’s 50 Best Bars 👀), it’s safe to say we’re no longer playing small.

So if you’re a KL local or just passing through and want to impress on date night or just chill with your crew, here’s your curated guide to the best cocktail bars in KL and PJ that won’t disappoint. Bonus: they’re seriously photogenic too.

Pro Tip from Bartender Shawn Chong of Bar Mizukami:
“Always chat with your bartender. We love making something just for your taste—even if it’s not on the menu.”

🥂 Top-Rated Cocktail Bars in KL & PJ You Need to Visit

1. Penrose – Minimalist Vibes, Maximalist Flavour

Hidden in plain sight on Petaling Street, Penrose has climbed the ranks fast—#8 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. Expect sleek interiors and complex drinks that impress without trying too hard.

Don’t Miss:

✨ Must-try cocktail: Xoco Negro
🔐 Hidden entrance with geometric panels
📍149, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 KL
📸 @penrose.kl

2. Coley – Bangsar’s OG Cocktail Sanctuary

Often credited as the pioneer of KL’s modern cocktail scene, Coley blends approachability with sophistication. It’s warm, stylish, and offers both signature “Koktels” and spirit-forward classics.

Editor’s Pick:

🥥 Gin & Coconut
🔥 Hanky Panky (tribute to Ada Coleman)
📍6-G, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar
📸 @coleylumpur

3. Rakh – For the Sustainable Sippers

Rakh in The Five @ KPD is redefining cocktails with upcycled ingredients and flavour-forward innovation. Think clear drinks with wild, savoury profiles.

Must-Try Experience:

🍅 Rasam cocktail with tomato puree + rasam foam
🐟 #4: Gin, smoked salmon, basil, and chilli oil
📍The Five, Damansara Heights
📸 @rakh.kl

Insider Tip from Akshar Chalwadi (Head Bartender):
“Cocktails should challenge you, but never confuse you. Great drinks tell a story.”

4. Reka:Bar – High-Tech Meets Highball

Futuristic interiors. Experimental drinks. Neon-lit minimalism. Reka:Bar is what happens when bartenders take their craft as seriously as scientists. Menus rotate seasonally and creatively.

Vibes:

🧪 Fermentation & distillation in action
🍸 Ever-changing menu
📍67M, Jalan Setia Bakti, Bukit Damansara
📸 @reka.bar

5. Three x Co – Hidden Behind a Barbershop

Three x Co at Bangsar Shopping Centre is speakeasy-style with cocktails that push the limits. Found behind a faux barbershop, it’s part performance, part precision.

Try This:

🔍 Experimental drinks with wild ingredients
🪞 Hidden entrance
📍Level 3, Bangsar Shopping Centre
📸 @threexco_kl

6. Bar Trigona – Luxury in a Glass

Inside the Four Seasons Hotel KL, Bar Trigona dazzles with Petronas views and honey-inspired drinks. Opulent, award-winning, and a definite must for special nights.

What to Order:

🐝 Trigona Old Fashioned
🌸 Cocktails made from local flora
📍Four Seasons Hotel, Jalan Ampang
📸 @bartrigona

7. Bar Mizukami – KL’s Exclusive 10-Seat Experience

There’s no menu here. Just you, the bartender (Shawn Chong), and your personal preferences. Every drink is custom-crafted on the spot in this ultra-intimate setting.

How It Works:

💬 Tell Shawn your flavour + spirit of choice
🍹 He crafts your cocktail, no repeats
📍Ming Annexe, City Centre KL
📸 @bar.mizukami

8. Bar Terumi – All-Female Zen & Sips

This Taman Paramount gem is inspired by Japanese elegance and female empowerment. Every drink is meticulously crafted with Japanese ingredients like yuzu, matcha, and sakura.

The Scene:

🍶 Japanese whisky & izakaya bites
🍡 Intimate, zen-like décor
📍9A, Jalan 20/16, Taman Paramount, PJ
📸 @bar.terumi

9. Lavantha – Penrose’s Mysterious Sister

Nestled inside an old bank vault in Moxy KL Chinatown, Lavantha is where Jon Lee’s creativity goes full throttle. The menu is split by moods: Tall, Sharp, Forward, and Savoury.

Good to Know:

🔐 Secret vault location
🍸 Menu curated for your state of mind
📍LG Floor, Jalan Hang Lekiu, KL
📸 @lavantha.kl

10. JungleBird – Rum & Tropical Revelry

KL’s beloved tiki bar pays homage to the only classic cocktail born in Malaysia: the Jungle Bird. Expect fun vibes, rum-heavy drinks, and delicious grub like their famous Cubano sandwich.

Don’t Miss:

🌴 Insta-worthy tropical decor
🥪 Top-tier bar bites
📍Jalan Medan Setia, Bukit Damansara
📸 @junglebirdkl

11. Cabinet 8 KL – Behind the Bookshelf

Find this speakeasy behind a secret door in Neighbour Club. Expect creative, signature cocktails and even some interactive tea-based drinks you can DIY.

How to Get In: