Photo credit: pablocba Vista de las Petronas via photopin (license)
When you are driving around Kuala Lumpur, cruising down the streets with your MPV, where do you go first? Some tourists who opt to drive themselves around rather than hire the services of a guide would look for the usual shopping centres. Shopping seems to be the safest activity to do when you are touring a foreign country on your own.
But there are lots of places you can visit in Kuala Lumpur that you probably have not even heard of, especially at night! This city has one of the liveliest nightlife you will ever experience, from themed-restaurants, specialty cafes to pubs; the places you can go to once the sun has set is limitless.
Drive yourself around the city in a Honda Civic to make the most of your time.
However, and this is not entirely new, there are places in Malaysia that you have not heard of for good reason. And these places have gained “popularity” mainly because people do not talk about them out loud. We are talking about the speakeasy bars sprawled across Kuala Lumpur.
What is a speakeasy bar?
Speakeasy bars are simply underground bars. They are not very easy to find mainly because there are no signs indicating where their bars are located. Marketing is not also done as profusely as other places. These bars are literally thriving on word of mouth.
Here are some of them found in Malaysia:
Whisky, Tango, and Foxtrot Bar
That is a clever bar name, right? (Hint: look at the first letters)
But despite the funny acronym, the Whisky, Tango, Foxtrot bar offers a very modern vibe, sophisticated and posh. Here you can get premium cigars that come from Cameroon, Cuba, and Nicaragua. You can also order from an extensive menu of imported liquor.
To find it, you need to go within Avenue K, next Suria KLCC. Then find a London telephone booth in the Samba Brazilian Steakhouse.
Mr. Brooks
Compared to some speakeasy bars, this is easier to look for. You can find it in the 3rd floor of Bangsar Shopping Centre. But it has a special entrance: When you find a makeshift garage with a purple Sunbeam Alpine Car, look for the tools panel and the push through, only then will the real entrance be revealed to you.
It is designed like a British gentleman’s club and offers a very intimate setting, which is perfect if you just want a casual hang out with friends.
Blue Elephant Bar
The design for Blue Elephant Bar took inspiration from old Hollywood glamour. Walls are adorned with portraits of iconic stars like Marilyn Monroe.
To find it, you need to go to Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Look for a doorway advertising the SCSG Corporate Service, you will notice a blue light shining on the pavement. The next thing you will see are posters lining the walls of a red-carpeted staircase. That is when you know you have reached the Blue Elephant Bar.
On your trip to Kuala Lumpur, make sure to take the time to drive yourself around the city to get to know it a little better. Then visit these speakeasy bars so you can experience something unique on your trip that not a lot of people experienced before.
