THERE is plenty of action on stage to choose from, with rock and pop to blues and jazz lighting up the nights at venues throughout the Klang Valley and beyond.
Here are just a few places to get your groove on, let your hair down and jam the night away.
MERDEKARYA
No.352 (Annexe), Jalan 5/57,
Petaling Garden, Petaling Jaya
Tel: 018-661 4553
One of the Klang Valley’s best purveyors of indie vibes, Merdekarya recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and continues to serve up great vibes from some of the best.
Tonight, it’s all about the funk folk phenomena with Otam in the house. Tomorrow night, it is closed for a private function but the action continues next Wednesday with singer-songwriter Ian Tai singing out strong.
Next Thursday, Sharazade will be in the house to showcase her style as a singer-songwriter.
No cover charge but a minimum tip of RM10 for the musicians is expected.
Ning Baizura celebrates 30 years in showbiz with ‘Queen of the Night’ in Bobo KL next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
BOBO KL
No.65-2, Jalan Bangkung,
Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 012-683 8603
Bobo and its baby grand have played host to many a music great. After a month of comedic evenings, the focus returns to great music from the Bobo stage.
Tonight and tomorrow, explore the sounds of Pop N’Bop, a budding jazz vocal group created by the near legendary pianist and arranger Michael Veeerapen and featuring singers Jessica Teh, Callista Lim and Joshua Gui. Next Thursday to Saturday, fans of Malaysian great Ning Baizura are in for a treat as she’s in the house with “Queen of the Night”, celebrating her 30 years in showbiz. For some midweek fun, Bobo continues to serve up its regular Gitar’n Jiwa nights for acoustic fans on Tuesdays.
On Wednesday, get ready for some rib-tickling fun alongside great jazz vibes on Bobo’s comedy night. For tickets, visit www.cloudjoi.com/org/bobokl
Songstress Mary Jackson performs alongside keyboardist Raymond Chia at Loco TTDI on Tuesdays in March.
LOCO TTDI
No.11, Jalan Wan Kadir 2,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 016-380 8477
The cheer-filled, Mexican-themed Loco TTDI serves up more than just great food and drinks with its Live Sessions on Tuesday and Sunday nights from 6pm onwards.
Join the Locobuskers for some great vibes. Troubadour Tam gets in on the action on Sunday evenings, while Tuesdays in March feature the rollicking duo of Mary Jackson and Raymond Chia as they deliver a dose of the 1980s and more.
On Wednesday nights, Colin Jansen gets into the groove with Ice as they shake things up.
ROCK BOTTOM CHANGKAT
No.42, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL
Tel: 011-6172 9892
Sons of Adam bring the sounds of Woodstock to Rock Bottom Changkat every Sunday night. — Filepic
One can always expect a great time at Rock Bottom in Changkat Bukit Bintang with DJs spinning the wheels of steel during the week but on Sunday nights from 9pm onwards, Sons of Adam bring back the spirit of Woodstock and the rocking tunes of the 1960s and 1970s as they get into the groove on stage.
D’ROSE CAFE AND BAR
First floor,
No.5, Lorong 8/1E, Petaling Jaya
Tel: 011-2335 1477
A newer spot on the live music scene, D’rose features a rooftop bar as well for a night out under the stars. A host of soloists get their groove on here, with Jeremy Danker taking the Monday night spot.
BATS
North Entrance, Sunway Giza Mall,
2, Jalan PJU 5/14, Kota Damansara,
Petaling Jaya
One of the stand-outs on the Sunwat Giza block, at least where live music is concerned, there’s something for everyone here with a selection of great musicians taking the stage regularly. Piano man Vishnu Shakhti is a regular here with a host of friends to liven up the nights. For a full list of musicians performing here, check out www.facebook.com/bats.restaurant.bar
JAO TIM
No.61, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2022 3897
Website: www.jaotim.com
An elegant venue in the heart of the city, Jao Tim absolutely drips with old-world charm but also serves up an interesting array of offerings. Now also stepping up as an events space, the outlet gives life to a whole new set of musical offerings that are just that much different to stand out.
For the next three days it’s workshops all the way, alongside some interesting performances. Tonight, the Table Lamp Concert series continues with Ryan Pynam and Caleb Wong celebrating the greatest divas. Expect everything from Cher to Beyonce, Whitney and other famous names.
Tomorrow, it’s an R&B jam session for the fans led by Rachel. On Tuesday night, the Table Lamp series continues with Yiny and Sharon Chong paying tribute to Britney Spears.
SAINTS BAR
First Floor, 11-1,
Jalan Sri Hartamas 7,
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 017-979 7148
Multi-talented Gerard Singh hits up Saints Bar in Hartamas on Wednesdays.
When it comes to themed bars, there’s plenty around but Saints does things a little different by choosing to pay homage to a group of educators. Saints Bar pays homage to the Lasallian community in Malaysia. Brothers, teachers, students – past, present, future and the forgotten. The outlet also celebrates the contributions of the La Salle Brothers to education in Malaysia and there is a nifty series of paintings on the wall of various La Salle institutions in Malaysia, including St John’s Institution in Kuala Lumpur.
Every Wednesday in March, get into the groove with crooner Gerard Singh as he takes to the stage. Friday night live sessions every week feature Ice and Johan showing crowds a blast.
SIMPLY RETRO by TIN BOX
H-G-02, Hive, TREC
No.438, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur
An intriguing concept awaits at Simply Retro, a vinyl-only outlet that serves up some of the best of the 1980s and 1990s. Resident deejays Jason Martin, Bernie, Jazzie Jay and Francis K take turns to bring back the magic of that era.
CRANE KL
No.78, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur
WhatsApp: 013-218 5712
Website: cranekl.com
Another Chinatown hotspot, Crane KL is all about a good time in a heritage building. Good selection of cocktails and great food add to the charm of the ambience here. Also features a great selection of music from Wednesday to Saturday.
Every Friday, get into the groove with Russell Curtis taking the stage while on Saturdays, it’s a double-header of guitar greats with Gerard Singh and Jamie Wilson teaming up for a great time.
MEZZE
No.132, Jalan Kasah,
Medan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 011-3689 6393
Mezze opens its stage every Friday with a selection of great artistes getting into the groove for a night of interesting music.
D’MANDO
C-05-1 & C-06-1,
Plaza Glomac, Kelana Jaya,
Petaling Jaya
Tel: 011-1040 9227
Taking up two lots in Plaza Glomac, D’Mando serves up some entertainment for music fans in Kelana Jaya. With bands on stage five nights a week and an extensive menu, D’Mando gets into the groove for a load of fun. Jeremy Danker is in the house here on Thursday nights.
9FiveQ Restobar
No.34, Jln USJ9/5Q
Subang Jaya
Tel: 010-277 2909
Priding itself on good food, great drinks and amazing live music, this gem tucked away in Subang Jaya serves up live jams every night. Tuesday nights see regular Gerard Singh get into the thick of some acoustic action on stage.
On Line Pub
No.32, Jalan SS20/10,
Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7728 0532
The one and only Temple of Rock continues to thrill nightlife enthusiasts as it shows a whole new generation just what it takes to get it right with a mix of pub grub, chilled beers and loud music.
What a selection the boys behind the bar serve up. On Wednesday nights, Victor gets the ball rolling with his inimitable laid-back style for a load of fun. On Thursday nights, Troubadour Tam is back to get into the groove with his raspy vocals and folksy style. Expect nice downtempo ballads to mix it up with more rocking acoustic tunes and a whole load of fun thrown in on top.
On Saturday nights, On Line comes alive as the Temple of Rock kicks it into high gear. Inimitable, and irrepressible, rocker Sharin picks up his axe for some major mayhem with his backing crew.
Backyard Pub & Grill
No.28, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8,
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 011-6135 5473
Almost an institution in its own right, Backyard has been serving up good times, great food and amazing vibes for over 30 years.
While the grub is great and the drinks refreshing, there is also plenty of music on offer here in the heart of Sri Hartamas.
On Thursday nights, talented guitarist Mark Renesh teams up with songstress Brenda Lee to let the good times rolling. On Sundays, enjoy a twist to happy hours with Sharin on stage in the late afternoon to serve up some great vibes.
HOME & AWAY HARTAMAS
No.37, Jalan 23/70a,
Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-6211 1653
Another long-time favourite of football fans, Home and Away Hartamas also offers some great tunes, with Gerard Anthony in the house every Wednesday to croon his way into the hearts of the audience.
O2 SS4
No.10, Jalan SS4/17,
Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7873 9066
Originally an offshoot of Damansara Kim’s On Line Pub, O2 SS4 has grown into a neighbourhood favourite away from the hustle and bustle of the usual commercial centres. With a focus on good food and great drinks, the outlet is a great spot to kick back, relax and have a conversation or two.
While there is the occasional live music, especially during festive seasons, regulars know that one of the thrills here is trying to match wits with Quiz Master Ram every Thursday night.
Yes, pub quizzes are making a slow but steady comeback in the Klang Valley and O2 SS4 just happens to be one of the places to get your thrill, with a chance of winning prizes such as drinks.
