Bars & Nightclubs

Pub crawls in Kuala Lumpur are relatively easy since most of the nightspots are concentrated in various entertainment areas or districts. Just as multi-concept establishments incorporate a restaurant, a pub and a disco under one roof, these entertainment hubs such as The Piazza, The Embassy, Life Centre and Jalan Bukit Bintang feature a wide selection of outlets from retro bars to pool halls. Among these entertainment districts, the hottest right now is Bangsar Baru -- actually in a suburb of KL -- which is home to more than 50 bars and restaurants. Bangsar is best explored on foot.

Take note that Malaysia has strict laws against drunk driving, so it's best to take a taxi back to your hotel.

The higher-end bars in Kuala Lumpur serve pretty much the same range of liquors. But the selection of local and foreign brews in the following outlets is fairly wide.

Bali
Block C Leisure Commerce Square
9 Jalan PJS 8/9
Petaling Jaya
Tel: +60-3 7876-2254
Hours: Lunch till late, Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
Perhaps the only thing Balinese about this place are the large bronze statues guarding the entrance. But apart from that, this is a gigantic multi-concept entertainment center that incorporates a disco with regular live performances, a Chinese/Malaysian restaurant, an Italian restaurant and a big sports bar with 22 pool tables, four foosball tables and darts. Three VIP rooms, each equipped with a pool table, are available for private functions. Ladies night on Wednesday, while Monday is happy hour all night long.

Beach Club Café
97 Jalan P Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur
Don't have time to hit Penang and Tioman? This hot club brings the beach scene to humid KL with guests relaxing on long picnic benches and waiters in Hawaiian shirts and khaki shorts. The large neon blue aquarium housing two blacktip sharks provide a convenient conversation starter and a viewing area on the second floor allows you to scout around. Good acoustics and ventilation are a big plus. Popular music is dished out by a regular band. Lunch and dinner buffet also available.

Caeser's American Pool Club
2, Jalan SS2/67
Petaling Jaya
Tel: +60-3 787-30377
Hours: 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
The place to shoot some pool and listen to soft piped-in music.

Echo Jazz Bar
21 Jalan Telawi 3
Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60-3 284-3022
Set in the heart of the lively Bangsar nightlife hub, Echo is one of more hip places to party and be seen. Eclectic music is served by both foreign and local deejays, but Sunday is dedicated to pure jazz. A hang out for KL's beautiful people with Wednesdays reserved for ladies' night. Happy hours from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

El Nino Latin Heat Café
21 Jalan Mayang, off Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60-3 264-4807/4995
Live music nightly featuring salsa and merengue heats up the atmosphere.

Emporium Grand Café
Corner Jelan Sultan Ismail and Jelan P Ramlee
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60-3 261-6666
Hours: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Its lavish décor and enviable intersection location within KL's hottest club district help make Emporium KL's club du jour. With live music, pool tables, a wine and cigar room, outdoor seating and an extensive Mediterranean menu, there's something for everybody to enjoy. Office execs usually hang out at the hard-to-miss Island Bar, although as the night progresses, they are replaced by socialites and party animals. In-house band performs daily except Sundays. Emporium throws wild parties on the last Saturday of each month. Doors are open from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Cover charge on Fridays and Saturdays. Set lunches also available.

Finnegan's
6 Jelan Telawi 5
Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60-3 284-0187
One of the most recommended watering holes in the Bangsar area, this Irish pub and restaurant is a two-storey venue, with the second floor lounge a relaxing place to enjoy your Irish stew and beer. Downstairs, the bar is the center of the action, which can get pretty energetic once the deejay starts pumping up the crowd. Choose from its wide drink selection which includes Kilkenny, Ruddles English Ale, Strongbow, Old Speckled Hen English Bitter, and Strongbow Cider while watching sports matches on TV. Ladies' night on Tuesdays. Happy hour daily from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Hard Rock Café
Hotel Concorde
2 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60-3 244 4062
The only branch in Malaysia of this well-known global franchise features live music in addition to its staple rock 'n' roll memorabilia. Menu features popular American items from burgers and ribs to pastas, all in large portions. Watch out for special appearances by international music artists who usually hold concert showcases during their Asian promotional tours. Best to arrive before 10 p.m. especially on weekends before it gets really packed. Souvenirs available near the bar.

Modesto's
Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru
Tel: +60-3 284-2446
Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
The piped-in contemporary music here can be a bit loud, but it's the kind that you would expect the young crowd -- which includes expatriates -- to enjoy. It has a pool table. Ladies night every Tuesday and Thursday, while guys get 30% off on drinks on Wednesday. Happy hour from noon to 9:00 p.m.

The Pub
Shangri-La Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tel: +60-3 232-2388
Hours: 12:00 noon to 1:00 a.m.
A place in the business district for a quiet drink in the early evening and live band entertainment after 9:00 p.m.; frequented by expatriates. Click here to see the map.

Rennie's Pub & Grill
119, Jalan Gasing
Petaling Jaya
Tel: +60-3 755-2541
Hours: 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight
Rennie's is a favorite of the more mature crowd, made up of both locals and long-serving expatriates. Small wonder since the range of music being played here starts from the '50s onward. A good place for conversation.

Riva's
Sheraton Imperial Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60-3 460-1777
Hours: 6:00 p.m. daily until the wee hours in the morning
This multi-concept entertainment complex with an elaborate ocean-deep theme incorporates: Triton Trattoria, an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant with a house band playing nightly; Atlantis, a dance club popular among the young professionals (ladies get in free on most days, but men pay cover); Manta Ray, on the upper deck of Atlantis, which offers a view of the dance floor action; and Jazz Room, a members-only music room where guests can enjoy premium cognac, wines, cigars and live music ranging from jazz to acoustic performances, with their clients and close friends. Merchandise available.

Ronnie Q Pub
Jalan Telawi 2
Bangsar Baru
Tel: +60-3 282-0722
A bar for the more sedate, professional crowd. TV monitors show top-class football and cricket matches.

Taipan's Club
Hotel Istana
73 Jalan Raja Chulan
Tel: +60-3 241-9988
Hours: 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
A live band comes on from 9:30 p.m. till closing time. Click here to see the map.

TM2
Kuala Lumpur Hilton Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tel: +60-3 242-2222
Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
This long-standing disco with live band is frequented by business executives entertaining guests.

Uncle Chilis Fun Pub
Hilton Petaling Jaya
9 Jalan SS 12/1
Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya
Tel: +60-3 755-9122
Not to be confused with American Chili's, this PJ fun pub is a tribute to all things American - a red sports car welcomes guests at the entrance, while inside used signs, old commercial posters and photos of Hollywood stars help create a comfortable ambience. The menu offers California, Tex-Mex and classic Western cuisine from ribeye steaks, salmon fillet and pastas and pizzas. Four-course set lunch and dinner available. Live band performances in the evening, plus three pool tables. Fun dining atmosphere works for entertaining corporate clients or just relaxing with friends and family.

Nightlife

Lonely business travelers can head for pubs and discos where many of the notorious SPGs (sarong party girls) hang out. Some hotel pubs are also pick-up spots for hookers, although be careful as some of these may be transvestites.

Kuala Lumpur also has some brothels but these are usually rundown joints with unexceptional women.

Advertisements for massage services and escorts in phone books can be quite explicit. Even health clubs in some hotels offer massage with "extra services."