Notification: Barlai Bar Kuala Lumpur is permanently closed.
The term ‘speakeasy bar’ in Kuala Lumpur basically refers to a drinking establishment that’s hidden or difficult to find, and these kind of secret (but not really secret) bars have been gaining massive popularity throughout the Malaysian capital. One of the most talked-about venues to fall into this speakeasy category is Barlai Bar in Bukit Bintang, a unique and undeniably cool place to come for food, drinks and live music along with the rest of KL’s cool kids.
The rustic-themed bar is located in a rather secluded part of Bukit Bintang, occupying a dilapidated two-storey heritage building, complete with vintage glass windows, hanging filament bulbs, and rusty road signs adorning its exposed brick walls.
- Half-Day City Highlights Tour
- Best City Highlights Half-Day Tour
- City Tour After Dark with Dinner
- Private Traditional Cooking Lesson
- Private Half-Day City Heritage Tour with Lunch
- Heritage Buildings & Icon of City Tour
- Private Night Heritage Trails
- Guided Perdana Botanical Gardens Tour
- Evening Street Food Walking Shared Tour
- Private City Street Eats Evening Tour of Chinatown
The indoor section is furnished with plenty wooden picnic tables and benches while the patio features black and white floor tiles, rattan couches with plush cushions, wooden picnic tables, with plenty of plants and trees providing shade.
The mezzanine floor, accessible via a narrow flight of stairs at the bar’s entrance, hosts a number of events such as exhibitions, live music, and readings. There’s also a pretty cool hidden room with plenty of beanbags for lounging about, with entrance via an imposing double-decker style climb.
While its food menu is rather limited, standouts on Barlai Bar’s exciting cocktail menu include the Milo Kaw (Milo cocoa powder, Irish whiskey, and hazelnut liquor) and also the Siam Mojito (rum, calamansi, kaffir lime leaves, and mint) cocktails. Our favourite is the Calamansi Margarita, which is a delightfully refreshing concoction with a sugar rim to balance out the fruit’s sourness.
Barlai Bar Kuala Lumpur also has a fine selection of imported wines served by the glass such as Luis Felipe Edwards Merlot and Luis Felipe Edwards Sauvignon Blanc from RM16 onwards.
During quiet weekends, freshly brewed coffee and tea is also served for the city’s early risers. Highly recommended is the Sip French Press coffee (RM6), a great pick-me-up that’s best enjoyed at the verdant al fresco section. Situated just behind VCR Cafe, Barlai Bar is accessible within a ten-minute walk from the Hang Tuah monorail train station.
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Barlai Bar Kuala Lumpur
- Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 16:00 - 00:00, Friday 16:00 – 02:00, Saturday & Sunday 11:00 – 00:00
- Address: 3, Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
- Tel: +603 2141 7850
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