That chivalrous spirit is the inspiration behind Round’s latest cocktail menu, with drinks named after King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
The Penang bar’s 12 signature creations each bears the name of a storied character and incorporates South-East Asian ingredients.
“Mixology and mythology are both ultimately about storytelling.
“By bridging both worlds, every sip is infused with a sense of adventure.
“Such tales can be a rich source of inspiration and take guests beyond the ordinary,” said founder Boey Wei Kid, who opened Round in 2024.
Boey said he was drawn to the stories of King Arthur and his knights because of the ideals they represented.
He said the spirit of camaraderie, unity and mutual respect was what he wanted Round, located off Lebuh Carnarvon in George Town, to stand for as a bar.
“We saw it as a space where everyone could come together, have conversations, strike up friendships and leave with pleasant memories – a modern-day round table,” said Boey.
The bar occupies a heritage building with a navy blue and gold colour scheme that gives the space a regal feel.
By night, the ambience becomes more polished, but it is the menu that guests familiar with Arthurian lore often talk about.
Boey recommends starting with Arthur, a drink made with London dry gin, osmanthus, ylang-ylang, tonic, sansho and house-made citrus concentrate.
It opens with floral and fruity notes before revealing a herbal backbone and crisp finish, mirroring the fabled king’s strong but approachable profile.
“When we translate a character into a drink, we always start with their personality and narratives, then build flavours around it.
“But instead of copying a Western story literally, we reinterpret it through familiar ingredients.
“These make the story relatable.
“It’s about emotion rather than geography.
“Arthur is said to have ruled with honour and led with heart.
“So we chose flavours that are punchy but not overpowering,” Boey said.
Sir Lancelot, regarded as the finest warrior of the Round Table and known for his tragic love affair with Queen Guinevere, lends his name to the bar’s best-selling fizzy cocktail.
It is made with vodka, homemade sparkling champagne soda, Damask rose, citrus, pink guava foam and sour plum sprinkle.
“Rose and champagne symbolise passion while the local fruit elements reflect the inner conflict between duty and desire,” Boey said.
The spirit-forward Sir Percival was inspired by the knight’s story of faith achieving what strength alone could not.
The drink is built on mezcal, with nutmeg, kaffir lime cordial, mace, mandarin and orange candy creating a smoky profile with warm citrus notes.
“In the legends, he embodied purity, growth and self-discovery.
“We wanted the drink to reflect this by gradually revealing new layers of flavour,” Boey said.
For those drawn to the darker side of the Arthurian sagas, there is the rich and bittersweet Sir Mordred, which is served warm.
Dark rum, amaro, Penang white coffee and heavy cream are used to interpret the character whose treachery sealed Camelot’s fate.
While it recalls the comfort of Irish coffee, it has the robustness of local kopi-o and is served with a waffle biscuit for dunking.
Other highlights include Merlin, made with cognac, herbal liqueur, lemon creme brulee and cinnamon smoke as a tribute to the legendary wizard.
Sir Galahad is a delicate tea-based creation with pisco, matcha, elderflower and osmanthus, while Sir Agravain is a more unusual option with gin, vodka, whisky and bakwa.
“The emphasis is on balance, craftsmanship and character.
“We want every drink to feel intentional, with a story behind it.
“Many regulars have a favourite character-inspired cocktail they return to, while others like to try different ones on each visit,” Boey said.
Besides the speciality cocktails, Round also serves wines, beers, draught stout, bar bites and desserts such as its alcoholic tiramisu.
Unlike many bars that open later in the evening, Round opens at 3.30pm, making it an option for those starting early before continuing into George Town’s bar scene.
ROUND, 260C Lebuh Carnarvon (behind OO White Coffee), George Town, Penang. Tel: 016-4128119. Business hours: 3.30pm to 12.30am daily (closed on Wednesdays).
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
