Alibi’s hidden bar inside a cafe at The Stories of Taman Tunku.
GETTING to Alibi takes a little skill. Know where the supermarket and bank are at The Stories of Taman Tunku in Bukit Tunku?
Well, you’re at the wrong side, but you’re close and halfway there.
Rather than going through the main entrance, loop around left instead and go behind the main front row, while keeping a look-out for a little cafe decked out in green.
The cafe offers a complete dining menu from the standard big breakfast to sandwiches and tapas.
Warm and welcoming, you’re likely to see families gathering for a meal, or neighbourhood folk perched on barstools exchanging friendly banter over a quick cold pint.
But don’t stop there, there’s so much more to this cosy cafe. Head through the heavy metal fridge door and you’ll find yourself in one of KL's latest hidden bars.
In stark contrast to the cheery PG-13 front, the hidden bar side of Alibi is best described as an intimate and sexy little Latin nook.
While the bartender got busy crafting our drinks, Roen Cian spoke passionately about his inspiration of wanting to bring the energy and vibe of a Cuban bar to Malaysia.
Bella Ciao, a gin-based favourite at Alibi.
Every element was imagined and constructed to bring across the vision of embracing and celebrating the richness and fullness of life in pure Latin fashion.
“People only see me party, but I’m actually up by 6.30am as I’m very hands-on with my businesses,” he shares, adding that he has been in this line of work for over 16 years, and now co-owns and runs some of the most popular bars in Kuala Lumpur.
Roen’s hands-on approach with Alibi extends from the ideation of the business to working with Alibi's co-owners (Kesu Calvin and Jeevan Cian) and their bartenders to update the cocktail menu every six months.
With that, we got started on the cocktail tasting session part of our evening.
First up was a beautiful-looking cocktail and one of the favourites at Alibi, the Bella Ciao.
Described in the menu as “gin, blended fresh raspberries, chilli-infused syrup and a hint of mint”, I expected the cocktail to be spicy hot and a bit of a novelty type drink, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s actually an easy-drinking tart cocktail.
The spice in it was more of just a hint, as with the mint.
I liked it and would gladly order it again (yes, I am hoping this one makes their permanent cocktail list and doesn’t get swapped out in six months).
Roen watching his bartenders at work.
The next I tried was called The Remedy, described as being concocted with “herb-infused gin, hibiscus extract, red dates, muddled berries, guava and elderflower liqueur” and was presented in a strange medicinal-looking bottle.
I was intrigued but apprehensive when it arrived, but what do they say? If you never try, you’ll never know, so here goes.
First thoughts, it’s a weird cocktail and the flavours are a little strange, but after a couple of sips the gentle sweetness of the red dates came through and I could see the appeal behind the drink.
It’s similar to drinking a comforting Chinese herbal tea albeit alcoholic.
If you’re more into standard cocktails, do give their Moscow Mule a try, it’s extremely well-balanced and very refreshing.
Or, as written on their cocktail menu, “ask our bartender for more cocktail options”, so we asked for a dirty vodka martini and got a strong one in no time.
With free-flow cocktails for ladies every Thursday and their generous Happy Hour promotion (one-for-one drinks – beer, wine and cocktail), Alibi was described to me by a group of regulars as their “perfect neighbourhood place”.
Also check out their National Tequila Day (July 24) promotion – 6 x Shooters (RM120), 12 x Shooters (RM220).
ALIBI KL, Lot G2-1 and Lot G2, Jalan Langgak Tunku, Taman Tunku, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 016-614 9244) Dining hours: 10am to 3pm (Mon-Fri), 8:30am to 3pm (Sat & Sun)
Bar hours: 5pm to late (daily).
