Customers can enjoy the deejay’s sets at the lounge of The First Chapter.
Finding the door to The First Chapter Speakeasy bar was easy but getting in proved slightly tricky.
There are two huge doors greeting visitors at the mezzanine floor of the row of shoplots at Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur so they have a 50-50 chance of getting it right the first time because one of the doors is fake.
Previously, The First Chapter was located in Taman Tun Dr Ismail but the bar moved last December.
Co-owner Benedict Nair, who is fondly known as Ben, said the idea was to bring the bar to Damansara Heights to have it be closer to its sister outlet, Benang, The Second Chapter, which is located at the same block.
“This helps with the operations and we can maintain the quality of our offerings better.
“Also, a few of our regulars have told us they also preferred the area here,” he said.
While the interior decoration of the previous location was inspired by books, the current one is themed around typewriters.
Old typewriters that Ben sourced from family and friends are displayed in a cabinet placed at the bar entrance.
Year of the Dragon (left) and Oriental Express.
“Typewriters are fascinating as they are a good reminder of how things were prior to digital technology,” he said.
At one end of the bar, visitors get to check out the mixologists creating their desired cocktails, while at the other end, visitors get to enjoy the sets of the deejay playing from Wednesdays to Saturdays.
As for the new cocktail menu, The First Chapter has a comprehensive selection.
It includes a wide selection of alcohol bases like whiskey, gin, mezcal, rum and vodka that pair heavenly with unique taste profiles.
Take the Spiked Matcha Latte, for example. It is a mix of Grey Goose Vodka, Frangelico and Niko Neko matcha powder. It comes with the option of fresh milk or oat milk.
The creamy drink has a distinctive matcha flavour without being too overpowering, giving it a slight hint of sweetness.
Another cocktail, the Oriental Express has a citrusy note.
Despite the high 50% ABV of the Prohibition Whiskey that makes the base of the cocktail, other ingredients such as yuzu, Cointreau, orange and aquafaba have balanced out the strong alcohol. The result is a smooth, welcoming drink.
The First Chapter often uses aquafaba and saline in its cocktails and Ben explained that wanted his drinks to be vegan-friendly.
Owner Ben sourced old typewriters from family and friends for the bar’s decor.
“Aquafaba is a good substitute for egg white, which makes the foam of the cocktail when it is shaken.
“As for saline, it enhances the flavour profile better and brings out the taste of the ingredients,” he said.
To usher in the Lunar New Year next month, try the Year of the Dragon cocktail.
It is a mix of Tanqueray No.10 Gin, dragon fruit, elderflower liqueur and aquafaba.
Another cocktail that uses aquafaba is Oriental Express, which features Prohibition Whiskey, yuzu, Cointreau and orange.
Other drinks from the signature cocktail menu include Kopi O’ Mexicana which comes with a single shot of espresso in mezcal and coffee liqueur, It’s Pink cocktail, Elevated Elderflower cocktail and and I’m In Love With the Coco, which is another rum-based cocktail.
The bar also serves a range of whiskey by the dram, gin, vodka and shooters that come in single, six or 12 shots.
THE FIRST CHAPTER SPEAKEASY, 28M, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 012-239 1738) Business hours: 6pm to midnight (Wednesday to Sunday).
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
