A favourable location at the end of Changkat Bukit Bintang and an intimate atmosphere helps The Whisky Bar to stand out in one of Kuala Lumpur’s prime clubbing areas. Though it is surrounded by nightclubs, this place is a drinking and dining spot primarily for a mature crowd. A jazz-infused sanctuary of single malts, it has a casual, good-time vibe, making it a great spot to mix and mingle.
The hundreds of bottles of whisky on the glass shelves define The Whisky Bar’s interior design the most. But cushy, red leather bucket armchairs, blackboards with the bar’s vast list of single malt whiskies chalked up on them go a long way to ensuring the place looks a lot like a posh whisky den – you almost expect to see a roaring fireplace.
Of course, the classy decor is not the main reason to visit – what really earns The Whisky Bar its stripes, is its 275-strong list of whiskies. Ranging from single-cask releases to all-time favourites, bottles on offer include familiar names like Glenmorangie, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Johnnie Walker as well as lesser-known labels such as Aushentoshan, Benriach, Bowmire and Glen Elgin. But they’re not all cheap as chips: prices for some quality bottles can go into stellar overdrive.
Staff members have the knowledge to guide you in the selection process. If you are a novice fear not because The Whisky Bar offers beginner’s packages where you can sample a variety of single malts at half an ounce each. The whiskies taste as different as night and day: some are not too overwhelming with fruity-like taste, while other choices such as a limited release Islay, are strong, smoky-tasting options.
But it is not all about the whisky here. It is equally worth stopping by for the kitchen’s western-focused menu, especially if the whisky is too strong for you. We recommend oyster Kilpatrick bake to start with – the briny taste of the oysters are beautifully enhanced by salty pork bacon bits. Another good starter is Greek salad, a jumble of moist cherry tomatoes, tart-tasting onions bound together with soft feta cheese.
There are pastas, pizzas, tapas and sandwiches on offer, but we like the hearty pork parmiagiana: breaded, shallow fried and baked with cheese and tomato sauce, served with a side of garlic bread – we polished off every last crumb. We also recommend grilled beef tenderloin, served with sautéed potatoes and garden vegetables, in a black pepper sauce – the only disappointment in this otherwise perfect dish, is that the sauce is a little too grainy for our taste. A major standout in the dessert section is the Werner Special, fresh, juicy strawberries in a creamy mango sauce, topped with chocolate mousse and wild raspberry sorbet – truly divine and the perfect way to cap off our night.
The Whisky Bar
- Opening Hours: 16:00 – 03:00
- Address: 44 & 46 & 48 Changkat Bukit Bintang 52000 KL
- Tel: +603 2143 2268
