Baijiu serves up cocktails and dim sum. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
G-String KLNo.147, Jalan Petaling, KL
Business hours: 3pm until late
Reservations: 013-938 6322.
As the name suggests, G-string cocktail bar strives to create a sexy and intimate setting for its visitors.
The alphabet “G” in the name also represents gin, a lighter liquor option that appeals to female customers and is used in most of the cocktails here.
The interior has pinkish neon lighting, floral sofas and lacy decorations filling the ceiling while a splendid collection of vintage television sets, radios and lamps owned by co-owner Desvin Tew, flanks the bar.
The cocktails adopt suggestive names such as Bubbles and Panties, Maria Ozawa and Zombie Porn Star.
One of its stronger cocktails, Johnny Sin, uses gin, hazelnut, Campari, vermouth and chocolate bitters, while Fairy Nest has vodka, citrus and Aperol for those who prefer lighter flavours.
Baijiu KLLot 4, Lorong Panggung, KL
Business hours: 5pm until late daily
Reservations: 010-266 6093
Stepping into Baijiu at Kwai Chai Hong in Lorong Panggung is like being transported to an oriental setting replete with Chinese-inspired motifs.
The unique thing here is the use of baijiu (Chinese grain liquor) – a strong distinctive alcohol base that is often described as having a sweet fruity fragrance with a touch of nuttiness – in cocktails.
Twelve signature cocktails paired with equally strong-smelling tropical fruits like pink guava, jackfruit and pineapple as well as the popular Baijiu shots await.Baijiu-based cocktails such as Pisang and Lotus Pink tantalise with fruity flavours before the grain-liquor marks its dominance.
The hungry have dim sum options to go with their cocktails.
Concubine KLLot 2, Jalan Panggong, KL
Business hours: 3pm-midnight (weekdays), 1pm- midnight (weekends) Closed on Mondays
Reservations: 011-6090 2416
Inspired by Concubine Lane in Ipoh, Perak, this bar adopts a modern, feminine and sassy theme.
The bar owners wanted to break away from the stereotyping of concubines and the negative depiction of a mistress.
“Based on the etymology of the Chinese character, the word “concubine” has two elements – the top part which means independent while the bottom represents the idea of a woman,” said co-owner Nicolas Fraile.
Expect tropical ingredients in cocktails such as The Jackfruit which is concocted with dry gin, absinthe and sweet vermouth with jackfruit and clarified milk.
The Empress Negroni puts an Asian twist to the classic cocktail by adding oolong tea to dry gin,
Campari and Maraschino.
PS150
No.150, Jalan Petaling, KL
Business hours: 6pm to 2am daily
Reservations: 03-7622 8777 (WhatsApp available)
PS150 is housed in a pre-war shoplot next to a tiny stationery shop on Petaling Street.
The space is divided into three seating areas that represent three distinct eras in the history of cocktails – pre-Prohibition era, with its opium den theme and intimate booths; post-war, with its Tiki outdoor courtyard; and the contemporary era represented by the main bar.
Befitting its Chinatown location, Far Eastern accents liven up the bar as its interior harks back to a darker, yet more exciting time in our city’s history.
The cocktails draw from bold South-East Asian flavours using distinct ingredients that are native to this part of the world.
Some signature cocktails here are Lychee No.3 that is made of dry gin, lychee liqueur and lime juice, and Salty Chinaman which is a concoction of preserved lemon-infused vodka, preserved lemon peel, orange bitters and Sprite.
Mixing it up
CO2 Coffee BarE3.109.00 Level 3,
Pavilion Bukit Jalil
Bandar Bukit Jalil, KL
Business hours: 10am to 6pm, 6pm-midnight (Sundays to Thursdays), 6pm-1am (Fridays, Saturdays) Tel: 03-8080 7199
While CO2 normally stands for carbon dioxide, the name of this bar was derived from the initial letters of “coffee” and “cocktail”.
Positioning itself as the first coffee bar, CO2 owners wanted to break the limitations of making traditional coffee and cocktails by creating a new “cofftail” experience for coffee and cocktail lovers.
During the day, the bar functions as a cafe, but at night, it transforms into a cocktail bar.
Some of its signature drinks include Pour Over Negroni cofftail that is made of washed Columbia coffee beans, Roku Gin, Martini sweet vermouth, Campari and CO2 chocolate bitters spray, while Crush on You is a mix of Roku Gin, peeled yuzu cordial, Campari and house-made yuzu peel liqueur.
Those who prefer a sober night out can try the non-alcoholic Passiflora which is made of Ethiopia Keffa Bonga G1 Cold Brew and Heirloom Natural dried pineapple with the integration of passion fruit, pineapple and orange.
It also offers a range of bottled cocktails and cofftails, enabling customers to enjoy their drink of choice at any hour.
Sign up as a member to get a RM10 cash rebate voucher.
The coffee bar does not take reservations.
Benang, The Second ChapterJalan Medan Setia 2,
Damansara Heights, KL
Business hours: 5pm-midnight, Wednesdays to Sundays
Reservations: 011-1400 9621
After the success of The First Chapter Bar in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, founders of Benang speakeasy bar are offering a brand-new concept.
The thread shop-themed design is inspired by an old sewing machine with a patchwork couch in the bar that makes an ideal photo spot.
There are two bars: a cocktail bar and another serving beers and other alcoholic beverages.
Some of the signature drinks include Ben’s Paloma, which is a mix of Patron Reposado tequila, grapefruit, lime and sparkling water as well as Mango Brule, which has Plantation 3 Stars rum, fresh mango, lime and aquafaba.
Happy hours are 5pm to 9pm when visitors can buy a signature cocktail and beer and get another one for free.
Ladies’ night is every Thursday from 9pm to midnight where women get to enjoy cocktails for free.
Baijiu serves up cocktails and dim sum. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
Mango Brule is among Benang’s signature drinks.
Lychee No 3 at PS150 is a melange of dry gin, lychee liquor and lime juice.
The pineapple cocktail by Concubine KL.
Clockwise from top left: Eden’s Garden, Bubbles and Panties, Johnny Sin and Fairy Nest at G-String KL.
Benang The Second Chapter is a speakeasy hidden behind the façade of a thread shop.
CO2 is a cafe by day that transforms into a cocktail bar at night. (Right) Crush on You by CO2 is a mix of Roku Gin, peeled yuzu cordial, Campari and yuzu peel liqueur.
