Frank's Bar is reminiscent of 1960s old gentlemen’s clubs but with contemporary charm.
HOW do I get to Frank’s Bar? Just follow the light.
You will see subtle neon lights with the logo of Frank Sinatra’s signature narrow-brimmed hat – the trilby – projected on the floor outside an entrance to this swanky speakeasy in Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur.
The other secret entrance is through Natalina Italian Kitchen (both bar and restaurant are under Cinnamon Group) on the third floor of the mall. Natalina is named after Sinatra’s mother.
The bar’s elegant architectural features are enhanced by its warm, dark leather seats and wood panelling.
Photos of Ol’ Blue Eyes and the Rat Pack line the elegant interior of the bar that draws inspiration from the musician himself.
The bar is reminiscent of 1960s gentlemen’s clubs with its warm, dark leather seats and wood flooring.
For photo opportunities, there is a vintage standing microphone with a replica of Sinatra’s hat hanging from the ceiling.
Replete with cigars for the ultimate jazzy vigour, rest assured that your bespoke cocktail experience here is well defined and infused with impeccable craftsmanship by head bartender Ngie Kok Kiong.
The concept of Frank’s is embraced by the staff with their neat uniforms of navy blue, white, black and gold.
Experiential is the bar’s theme as the legend was all about the music, which plays a primary role even in its beverage programme.
Behold the Signature Sinatra Mix, a sonic-ageing project where they use music to speed up the alcohol ageing process to enhance the flavour of barrelled liquor.
The sound waves emitted from the songs significantly increases the interaction between the liquor and barrel wall, more so than the regular ageing process.
Headphones placed on either side of a barrel of American bourbon play classic Sinatra songs four hours a day, every day over 14 days.
“We use a specific playlist of songs between 110 and 200 beats per minute for the best effect,” revealed Ngie.
The ultimate goal is to share this method with visiting bartenders to create a signature batch that will be used for different cocktails or as a speciality drink at Frank’s Bar.
We were treated to four signature cocktails, arranged in a sequence where each drink can be best enjoyed – from light, fresh and floral to robust and masculine.
At the start was Jack N Fig’s – a concoction of Tennessee whiskey, rose Vermouth, Bianco Vermouth, fig and violet wine kefir, London Essence peach and jasmine soda, topped with a handmade dehydrated fig leather.
“Our aim is sustainability using leftover fruit and in-house fermentation using kombucha kefir grains,” said Ngie.
Next, the aromatic and subtle fruitiness of Man(go) Tango comprising signature blend rum, mango tea syrup, bitter Bianco and habanero infusion, and saline solution was a step up in terms of flavour profiles. This was layered and bright, yet gently spicy.
The evening wore heavy but pleasant with the third cocktail elevating the classic Rusty Nail.
This cocktail made from a 16-year Lagavunin, 12-year Dewar’s, Drambuie, orange and Angostura Bitter, dates back to the 1930s and known as a favourite of the Rat Pack. Smoky, rich and masculine best describe this drink.
Ending the cocktail experience was a little sweet and dreamy embrace – the creamy, nutty and toasty Whipz A String comprising Kentucky whiskey, mascarpone chestnut, Guinness stout reduction, creme de cacao and peanut butter foam.
Sinatra’s words, “May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine” leave a memorable imprint as you walk out of Frank’s Bar happily.
Non-alcoholic cocktails are also available upon request.
FRANK’S BAR KUALA LUMPUR
06-03, Avenue K, 156, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: 5pm to 2am Mondays to Sundays (1.30am last call). Tel: 012-674 4860.
Reservations: https://letsumai.com/widget/frank-s-bar
