Best bars in Bangsar
Kicking it back with a cold drink in hand, whether after work with colleagues or on the weekend with friends, is a pretty good way to wrap up a long day. While most restaurants serve alcoholic drinks, it’s the bars in good ol’ KL that promise a night of great vibes, cocktails, and company.
If you’re in or near the Bangsar area, where a nightlife compared to Changkat Bukit Bintang brews, take your next drinking session to these best bars in Bangsar.
Table of Contents
1. Mantra
Rooftop bar with a view of KL’s skyline
Image adapted from: Mantra
Nothing quite beats a drink with a view. Over at Mantra in Bangsar Village II, you can sip on unique cocktails with an impressive view of KL’s skyline. The tropical-inspired rooftop bar is best known for its outdoor deck featuring couches, daybeds, private cabanas, and, of course, the views.
Image credit: @mantrabarkl via Instagram
Enjoy the view with the bar and lounge’s drinks, which infuse locally-sourced fruits and herbs in its concoctions. Take for example, the refreshing Mantrajito (RM38) that mixes peach nectar, orange, and passionfruit with rum, and the Pisang Colada (RM38), which further flavours spiced rum with coconut cream, roasted pineapple, and fresh banana.
Happy Hour specials on beers, wines spirits, and cocktails are from 4.30pm to 7pm, daily.
Image credit: @mantrabarkl via Instagram
If you’re feeling peckish, order from the bar’s menu of Munchies and Mantau Sliders that cover dishes that are good for sharing. There are specialities such as the Mantra Spiced Fries (RM20) with a signature spice mix and sambal mayo, and the vegan-friendly Wild Mushroom (RM13) with button and wild mushroom patties drizzled with black truffle oil.
Address: Bangsar Village II, Jalan Telawi 1, 59100, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon, Tue & Sun 4.30pm-1am | Wed-Sat 4.30pm-2am
Contact: 017-344 8299 | Mantra’s website | Facebook | Instagram
2. THREE X CO
Hidden speakeasy with a barbershop facade
Image credit: Jiggee John via Google Reviews
It’s easy to overlook THREE X CO, even though it’s located on Level 3 of the popular Bangsar Shopping Centre. The bar is concealed behind the facade of a traditional barbershop.
Step into the clandestine speakeasy to order from its extensive selection of drinks, each infused with local flavours that pay homage to Malaysia’s rich heritage.
Image credit: Avijeet Sen via Google Reviews
A visit here will not be complete without ordering the Eastern Poem (RM32) – Chinese herbs are infused with Gin, Yuzu tonic, Ginseng root, and a drizzle of the Malaysian-popular herbal remedy Pei Pa Koa.
Image credit: Yong Carmen via Google Reviews
Likewise, the Lonely ‘T’egroni (RM32) is made with Cimarron Blanco Tequila, salted grapefruit campari, and Mancino Rosso and worth a try if you enjoy the bold and stronger taste of spirits.
Address: Lot T6A, Level 3, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 5pm-12am (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 019-336 6031 | THREE X CO’s website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Coley
Unique cocktails with PBJ & coffee
Image credit: @jpgyourlife via Instagram
To enjoy drinks in a more laidback setting, head to Coley that’s nestled in a quieter corner of Bangsar on Jalan Abdullah. The bar is patronised for its attentive and knowledgeable bartenders who whip up a wide array of nicely-presented cocktails.
Coley also ranked No.27 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2019, so you know that it takes its drinks seriously. To try some of its best drinks, browse through its collection of classic cocktails with an innovative twist under the Signatures menu.
Image credit: @jpgyourlife via Instagram
It includes Papillon Eye (RM48) with coffee, vodka, cranberries, peach bitters, and clarified soya milk, and Madcap (RM52) that’s a breakfast-inspired cocktail with English breakfast tea, honey, lemongrass, and bananas mixed with rum.
Other unique cocktails worth trying is the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cocktail (RM40+) – white tequila is infused with roasted peanuts, Blueberry Liqueur, White Vermouth, and sea salt.
Image credit: @coleylumpur via Instagram
Complementing the innovative drinks are Western mains and desserts. Savour dishes such as Australian Grass Fed Ribeye Tataki (RM32) – juicy ribeye steak bathed with yellow mustard seed and truffle ponzu sauce – and Sherry Cobler (RM40) that comprises Fino and Pedro Ximenez sherry wines, as well as orange, lemon, and pineapple.
Address: 6-G, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar, 59000, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 5pm-1am (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 019-270 9179 | Coley’s Facebook | Instagram
4. Haba
Japanese-inspired bar with sake & Midori cocktails
Image adapted from: @paperbunnyx via Instagram
Japan has a pretty solid after work drinking culture – they even have a name for it, nomikai or nominication. Bringing to KL folks a piece of this is Haba, a bar that invites guests to sip on cocktails with sake, Midori, and more in a spacious dining area with Japanese-inspired murals.
The bar’s name means “width” in Japanese, and that’s what you’ll be getting here in its dining area and drink selections. The drinks list runs the gamut, from robust-bold to sweet-delicate alcoholic drinks infused with natural ingredients like serai and basil.
Image adapted from: @habaklbar via Instagram
For something on the strong side, go for the Saketini (RM35), a shaken, not stirred martini with sake, lychee liqueur, lychee juice, and lime. Other options include Rumput Limon (RM40) that’s made with fresh apple juice, vodka, Midori, lemon juice, tropical syrup, and asam boi.
Image credit: @reysheats via Instagram
Part of the dining experience here includes savouring the bar and restaurant’s delectable finger foods, including deep, smoky yakitori like Mushrooms (RM8) and Chicken Gizzard (RM8) that’ll complement your drink of choice.
Address: 42A, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-1am | Fri & Sat 4pm-2am (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 011-1160 8842 | Haba’s website | Facebook | Instagram
5. Knowhere
Cocktails with a Malaysian twist
Image credit: @top30bars via Instagram
The next time your drinking buddies tell you that they don’t know where to head to for drinks, take them to Knowhere. Besides its playful name that draws inspiration from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s a longstanding bar that has been serving Bangsar folks since 2018.
Image credit: @joycelynchu_ via Instagram
It has a pretty unique dining space too – overhead, a spectacle of fairy lights dot the ceiling, creating an enchanting ambience for drinks.
Image credit: @subzayyy via Instagram
Alongside a menu of fusion cuisine is the bar’s locally-inspired cocktails, including the Pandan Sour (RM28) with pandan-infused vodka, egg white, sugar, and Angostura bitter. Another must try is the Lepat Pisang Daquiri (RM30) – banana leaf is infused with Rum, banana, and lime.
Pair the drinks with Malaysian-ified dishes such as Ulam Pesto (RM26.80), or the crowd-fave Krispy Burger (RM34.80) comprising crispy boneless chicken leg with roasted vegetables.
Address: 50, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59100, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-1am | Fri-Sun 12pm-1am
Contact: 010-220 2358 | Knowhere’s website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Bait
Happy hours for cocktails & oysters
Image credit: @baitkl via Instagram
Pairing booze with oysters is comparable to bread and butter. For this alcohol-and-seafood combo, head to Bait. The bistro and oyster bar has become a go-to destination for oyster aficionados since it opened in 2010, sourcing crustaceans all the way in Ireland.
Image credit: @amirahfoodie via Instagram
Begin your meal here by ordering fresh oysters (from RM14/piece), with options of Gallagher or Tragheanna. There’s also oyster shooters (RM28/shot), where a Tragheanna oyster is paired with tomato juice, vodka, and Tabasco. If you’re coming in a group, a tray of this will set you back RM120.
Besides Happy Hour for drinks from opening to 9pm, you can also enjoy Happy Hour for oysters from 12pm to 5pm.
Image credit: @amirahfoodie via Instagram
Wine kakis can argue all day about the best wine to pair with oysters. Prosecco and oysters is a pair that’s hard to beat, and if you agree with this, you can order the bar’s Prosecco cocktails (RM45/glass) like Lemonade Mimosa and the crisp Aperol Spritz.
Address: 65, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, 59100, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Thu & Sun 12pm-12am | Fri & Sat 12pm-1am
Contact: 016-351 6588 | BAIT’s Facebook | Instagram
7. Rock Bottom
Shot platters & cocktail jugs
Image adapted from: Rock Bottom Bangsar via Facebook
Rock Bottom is a familiar name among Bangsar folks, thanks to its relatively affordable menu of drinks to share and pair with its authentic Indian grub. It’s also a great place to bring groups of friends, whether smaller or larger ones, as it has a series of shareable boozy drinks.
Order a jug of Long Island iced tea, sangria, or margarita for RM135. Likewise, tequila is sold by the shot (from RM26) or bottle (from RM340). The same goes for gin, vodka, brandy, and rum.
Image credit: Rock Bottom Bangsar via Facebook
For shooters, like Irish Bomb and Flaming Ferrari, you can also order it per shot (RM30) or in a platter of 6 (RM155) or 12 (RM250) shots.
Image credit: @lifeofmathan via Instagram
As for food, you can opt to share pizzas like the classic Hawaiian (RM48) or Margherita (RM42).
Address: 3 & 5, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar 59100, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 4pm-1.30am, Daily
Contact: 011-2729 2383 | Rock Bottom’s Facebook
8. The X
Classic cocktails in a Kingsman-like space
Image credit: @thexbangsar via Instagram
When it comes to brooding yet cosy ambience, The X surely delivers. This sauve gastropub on Jalan Telawi exudes a The Kingsman vibe, with black leather sofas and open-brick walls.
Image credit: @thexbangsar via Instagram
The drinks match the vibes well. The bartenders here whip up all the classics in its Signature list such as Sangria (RM30) and Bloody Mary (RM26), while also shaking up go-to cocktail concoctions like Mai Tai (RM24) and Cosmopolitan (RM24).
Image credit: @thexbangsar via Instagram
You can enjoy beloved Malaysian staples, including Mee Goreng Mamak (RM26) with tiger prawns and Lala Noodle Soup (RM24) with fresh clams.
Address: 67-1, 67, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, 59100,Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 4pm-1am | Fri & Sat 3pm-2am
Contact: 03-2380 0277 | The X’s Facebook
9. WIP
Asam Boi Mojito & Espresso Martini
Image credit: WIP Cafe & Restaurant via Google Reviews
WIP is a snazzy restaurant cum bar that prides itself on its tropical-inspired warm and inviting space, and of course, its lineup of tipples.
Image credit: sharonlili tan via Google Reviews
Its signature cocktail creation includes the tangy Asam Boi Mojito (RM32), comprising rum, asam boi, mint leaves, and lime, and the Espresso Martini (RM35) that’s made with rum, coffee, hazelnut liqueur, and espresso.
On Mondays, the bar hosts Martini Mondays, which lets you order a 2nd glass of martini at 50% off.
Image credit: WIP Cafe & Restaurant via Facebook
As for food, the restobar’s menu is split into Western and Asian foods.
If you’re looking for something light to pair with the drinks, there are 19 options of bar snacks including local ones like Paneer Tikka (RM32) and Mutton Varuval (RM36) to Western plates like Lamb Tacos (RM28) and Cheese Nachos (RM32).
Address: G111, Ground Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar
Opening hours: 12pm-12am, Daily
Contact: 012-650 5722 | WIP’s website | Facebook | Instagram
10. SIX
Lineup of live DJs
Image credit: S I X via Facebook
SIX believes that, sometimes, Six Wrongs Do Make It Right (RM36) – particularly when it comes to the Bangsar bar’s signature cocktail that boasts the flavours of Caribbean Rum, Aperol, gula Melaka, lime juice, and apple juice.
For good ol’ beers, opt for the bottled Hoegaarden Rosee (RM80/bucket) or Crazy Mountain Pilsner: USA (RM38).
Pair these with light bar snacks like Popcorn Chikadees (RM16) and Corn Beef Cutlets (RM17) that are perfect for sharing with friends.
Image credit: S I X via Facebook
If dancing the night away sounds like fun, you’ll be glad to know that the bar regularly has a lineup of local and foreign DJs.
Address: 33A, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, 59100, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 7pm-3am (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Contact: 013-281 1108 | SIX’s Facebook | Instagram
The best bars for a drink in Bangsar
Whether it’s been a marathon of #longdays or you’re just craving some good vibes with your crew, these bars in Bangsar might just have the remedy for what ails you.
For more dining spots to check out in KL, read 8 best burgers in Klang Valley and 11 best bak kut teh restaurants in KL
Cover image adapted from: Jiggee John via Google Reviews, sharonlili tan via Google Reviews, @top30bars via Instagram, Yong Carmen via Google Reviews