makan

5 Speakeasy Bars With Unique Themes To Liven Your Nights In KL

Elusive, eccentric, and exciting!

Cover image via Instagram/TimeOut

1. The Deceased @ Jalan Sultan

Add excitement into your nightlife by celebrating the living, the buried, and superstitious at this popular speakeasy bar in the heart of the city.

Set in a former Chinese drugstore, The Deceased puts a spin on local supernatural folktales with spooky blood-stained decor.

Picture Halloween, but any night of the year!

The drinks - crafted by mixologist Steven Wan - are aptly given morbid names, like I Know What U Did Last Summer and Tea Of Oblivion.

To add to the theatrics, just as much thought goes into the presentation as the cocktails itself. While some drinks are served in skulls, with a side of bloody fingers for good measure, others are decorated with deadly details relating to Chinese mythology.

Address: 55, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000, KL.

Tip: Look for a blue door next to Leaf & Co. You'll need to make a reservation and obtain a passcode to enter!

Opening hours: 6.30pm - 2am (daily)

Find out more here.

2. PS150 @ Chinatown

Nestled on a busy street in Chinatown is Cheng and Huang Toys and Co., a quaint store that appears to sell vintage toys.

While the shop lot may seem innocent at first glance, it's merely a facade.

At night, its doors will lead you to PS150, a bar that has humorously been dubbed KL's worst kept secret.

Image via PS150

Opened in 2015, this former brothel turned speakeasy bar in Chinatown has three sections based on distinct eras in the history of cocktails - the charming Opium Den, the post-war inspired Tiki courtyard, and the Main Bar "where all the magic unfolds".

With red lights, old school decor, and yummy Prohibition-themed drinks, PS150 will transport you to a darker, exciting time in KL's past.

Image via PS150/Instagram

Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000, KL.

Tip: Look for a vintage toy store under a coffee shop.

Opening hours:
Sunday to Monday: 6pm - 1am
Tuesday, Saturday: 6pm - 2am 

Find out more here.

3. Skullduggery @ Bukit Damansara

With a name like Skullduggery, one might think that the speakeasy will be dark, grimey, and dungeon-inspired.

However, the inconspicuous bar feels more like an affluent private club for members of a secret society.

With the odd copper skull here and there... and on an entire wall!

Image via TimeOut

The dim lighting creates an atmosphere of a never-ending evening, while the bar offers signature cocktails to keep you up for hours. Some drinks are even delivered to you on a toy train!

In addition to perfecting timeless classics like the Whisky Sour, patrons are spoiled for choice with inventive concoctions like its Jackfruit spiced rum, the Jack O' Mai.

Jack O' Mai (right).

Image via TimeOut, Malaysia Tatler

Address: 2M, Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, Damansara Heights, KL.

Tip: Walk to the back-lane behind Huckleberry Food & Fare.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 6pm - 3am.

Find out more here.

4. Suzie Wong @ Jalan Raja Chulan

Inspired by the fictional high-end prostitute who fell in love with an Englishman from the classic 'The World of Suzie Wong', glamorous East meets seductive West in this eccentric speakeasy.

Dozens of bird cages hanging from the bar's ceiling and plush Chesterfield sofas transport patrons to the Hong Kong bar scene in the 1950s.

Unlike many speakeasies in KL, Suzie Wong is also an entertainment venue.

Sip on fruity drinks like the Mangosteen Mai Tai or Butterfly Pea Sour while enjoying a night of live jazz and colourful cabaret shows.

Address: Wisma Lim Foo Yoong, 86, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50450, KL.

Tip: Find a classic 'won ton noodle' signboard and search for a wooden door.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 4pm - 3am
Saturday: 6pm - 3am

Find out more here.

5. The Berlin @ Jalan Tun H.S. Lee

Ever wanted to visit Germany without breaking the bank?

You can feel like you're strolling through the raw and edgy streets of its capital without even leaving the comforts of KL!

With graffiti lining the walls, red and black decor, and the glow of neon signs lighting the bar, patrons are transported to the historical city at The Berlin.

Whether you choose to chill with cocktails at the diner-themed bar or dance the night away along to their DJs, a good time is guaranteed.

There's also a theme party held once a month, because who doesn't love a good theme? 

Image via TimeOut

Address: 208, Jalan Tun HS Lee, 50000, KL.

Tip: Look for the red door next to 7-Eleven.

Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday: 6pm - 2am
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 6pm - 3am

Find out more here.

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If you've been looking for new places to check out in KL during the daytime, we've got you covered:

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