By day a café serving up freshly brewed coffee, by nightfall the hidden bar opens up to serve some mean cocktails. This cafe-bar is tucked away in a corner along a quiet alley just off Kimberly Street. The noise from the road side stall and traffic often distracts one from venturing into the quiet lane of Jalan Kuala Kangsar where this coffee shop and bar is situated.

If you're looking for something new to spice up your senses this is the bar you’d want to head to. None of their cocktails are the norm-run-of-the-mill and if you don’t like what you read, the bar experts are able to make you a customised drink to suit your taste buds.

This speakeasy is a perfect place to gather your friends and catch up over delicious cocktails. The dark furnishing flanked by soft-warm mood lighting and sublime lounge music, makes time fluid. The bar is separated into 3 sections which are the lounge, the open space and the bar. There is a strict no-smoking policy at the lounge and bar area which is ideal for those who do not smoke.

The cocktails here are unique and the ambiance sets the perfect tone to unwind the week and welcome in the weekend. It’s a small outfit with the ideal amount of cosiness and friendly-entertaining bar staff. 

Out of Nowhere, has an urban-minimalism feel to their interior yet their menu has an interesting twist compared to the other speakeasies out there. Their cocktails drawn inspiration from the local food and ingredients combined with a reminisce of British Colonial times. Instead of going down the nostalgic route, they have reengineer the cocktails to suit the current urban crowd yet have hints of local flavours that would remind you of being in the Torrid Zone.

Into The Bahulus is an example of their rendition of the Jungle Bird with subtle lingering notes of Pandan after every sip. The presentation, cocktail name and decorum brings it into the 21st century. For the hipster-caffeine-connoisseurs, the Pisco Express* would be ideal as it combines Pisco, Cynar Cold Drip and Azuki Bean Liqueur to give the coffee the much needed edge and the presentation of the cocktail is something you’d need to see for yourself and experience.
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*Pisco Express is also known to the regulars as Baby Jesus. You’d have to ask Chris, the mixologist, on how that came about. And the cocktail itself, as a whole, is creative. 

What I love about this bar is that ideal for a catch up session with friends and they serve up some amazing drinks, even personalised ones on request.

Pro-tip: There are two drinks that are off the menu and exclusively for those in the know – the regulars. So if you want to surprise the guys behind the bar, these are two drinks that you should order.

 Truc’s Margarita 
If you love Margarita then you’ll love Truc’s Margarita. It is by far, to me, one of the best Margarita’s I’ve tasted. The story behind it is that a lady was at a bar one night and said to the mixologist that she’s never had a good margarita in ages and the best one she's had was back in the States. The mixologist made a margarita that was tailored to her and she actually teared up, and said ‘Guys, this is what I’ve been looking for. This is the best margarita I’ve ever taste, brings back so many memories!’.

The Remedy
If there is ever a drink than can calm your nerves down, after a tough week at work, the The Remedy is the drink you’d want. It’s similar to mulled wine, warm with subtle hints of spice, but with a good dose of alcohol thrown into the concoction. The story behind this drink is that they had a regular come in on a weekday, complaining of how she had to deal with a special-kinda-stupid all week that has fried her nerves and patience. So they made her this special remedy that helped with the recovery. 

Out of No Where
(Hold Up! café is your entry portal)
75, Jalan Kuala Kangsar, 10100 George Town.
T: +016 422 0657
 
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday: 6pm – 1am
Friday – Saturday: 6pm – 2am
Closed on Sundays

Although its classed at 3 sections, these sections feel as if its one whole cafe. Its theme flows organically from one section to the next with the use of wooden furniture to its artwork displayed on the walls. Each table is accompanied by a cup full or crayons where costumers are encourage to doodle and awaken their creative side - these artworks are later displayed on the cafe walls.

The menu here is a fusion one with asian classics, but its the cakes that are mostly sought after - and one I would recommend. With over 30 cakes to choose from, one can't help but stand in contemplation over the cake counter. Cake and coffee go hand-in-hand, while the ambience is perfect for a much needed catch up with friends.

BTB opens for dinner and only caters fine dining. It has a retro-chinese charm to its decor and its fusion food menu is a combination of Western, Asian and Mediterranean flavours. Its ideal for a date as its sombre lighting sets the perfect tone for a romantic dinner - away from the chatter of the cafe.

The gallery on the top floor display artworks from various artist - those established as well as up and coming. At times when there is no exhibition on, it displays the tasteful doodles of the costumers from the cafe below. Its souvenir shop is also worth a visit. You'd notice that most of the items sold has a Bon Ton label on it - its due to the fact that the ladies that own this establishment also own Bon Ton Resort in Langkawi. 

If you'd like to have a meeting or a private function, 14 Chairs is perfect as it can be closed off and used as a private room. Bright green chairs against antique chest of drawers and a long marble table, this room has its way to make you feel comfortable - almost as if you're at home. 

This bar turns into a mini chilled-out-hip place after dusk. Its really small, tiny even, and can accommodate a handful of people. Yet some how the space seem intimate and cosy - minus the bar stools of course. Happy hour here is treated separately from the rest of China House. The offers here are only valid within this space - a smart way to making sure each room is always bustling with people.

One of my favourite places in the establishment - the outdoor garden! As you walk from through this place towards the Canteen, this Courtyard will take your breath away. The narrow walkways in the cafe to the loud chatter of people, this a welcoming sight. An open space that allow you to breath and even take a dip in the pool. I've never taken a dip but have been told you can!

In the day its a perfect place to catch a tan and by nightfall, its a pretty place to sit back and admire the stars.

The other pride of China House, its The Canteen - a sheik mix-match of old and new furniture, its easy to spend the evening here, especially the top floor. The top floor has a living room like ambiance with its own pool table and several couches.

The Canteen is great for performances, especially live music. Over the weekends, this place is a buzz with people and band selection is always on top form. The bands usually start performing from 9pm but there are other acts that start from 3pm. Their cocktails are recommended! 

Its safe to say that I adore China House.

Its a place that easily caters to any mood and it has a variety of menus to choose from. The live bands  are great and this place has never been a disappointment even though I've been here countless times - sometimes almost every weekend with visiting guest.

Don't miss visiting this place when you're in Penang. Its worth the pitt stop! 

China House
153 & 155, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 Penang.
+604 263 7299

Opening hours - daily:
Kopi C. Espresso, Beach Street Bakery & The Library
9am - Midnight

BTB & Restaurant:
​6:30pm - 10:30pm

The Courtyard
12pm - 11pm

The Canteen
12pm - Midnight

Nestled in the aged heart of the city, this bar is nothing short of a show stopper. Snaking around a small stationary store, and under the popular Merchant's Lane coffee shop, PS150's unassuming entrance is easy to miss - unless you have a child-like curiosity for old toys. 

Situated in the old part of China Town, this place is the place to head to if you want to hide away and slip into a slumber with a delicious glass of cocktail. Its not your average, run of the mill menu, but a rather unique and characteristic list of drinks awaits your exploration. 

As soon as you step through the doors, intimated booths flanked by black and white photographs from eras past greets you. The perfect place for a lover's abode with beaded blinds and high-backed seats, its ideal for an intimate evening for two. 

The narrow corridor leads up to an airy open space tastefully illuminated with perfect temperature mood lighting to dim out the long week at work. The roots of the tree running along the sides of the bare brick wall, adds character to this little cryptic bar. The wooden rustic furniture, and the high air well is perfect for an evening catching up with friends over a cigar.

The final section, towards the end, is where the bar lies. The bar area is covered is plush furnishing combined with the raw use of materials and dim lighting, you're sure to stay here and never leave.

The barren brick walls, old photographs, to the use of old wooden doors, its interior has anecdotes of the past and a certain charm that speaks of an era by-gone. Combined this with the era themed cocktails served, you're sure to fall in love with this place. It has a magical way of transporting you to a different place while washing all your worries away. It make you feel like you're not in present day Kuala Lumpur any longer.

The cocktail list is divided into five distinct eras which are Vintage, Prohibition, Tiki, Disco and Contemporary - where each era has its own reimagined cocktail. The flavours and quality of the cocktails are sublime and its should be no wonder as Angel Ng has her touch on the menu. Angel is a known mixologist in the local bar circuit. From her days at Hit & Mrs, her signature style in drinks are unforgettable - she has definitely made a lasting impression on me from her days at Hit & Mrs with her Malaya Mojito.

I absolutely love this bar. 

The cocktails are unique and not just the run of the mill. Using distinctive ingredients and drawing flavours from Southeast Asia, expect your taste buds to go on an odyssey from the first sip to the last. If you don't fancy having anything on the menu, let the bar experts surprise you with a concoction of their own tailored to your taste buds. So do expect the unexpected when you're in here - its worth the exploration.

PS150
150 Jalan Petaling, Ground Floor, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
 T: +603 2022 2888

Opening hours:
Tuesday - Saturday : 6pm - 2am (L.O. 1am)
Sunday: 3pm - 10pm (L.O. 9:30pm)
Closed on Mondays

Beautiful garden surrounded by amber lighting sets the perfect ambience for an intimate dinner. This garden themed restaurant, situated on the northern tip of Penang Island, serves up some delicious cuisine ranging from Western, Asian to pseudo Mediterranean.

As nightfalls, oil lamps cast soft shadows against the moonlight which sets the romantic feel to the restaurant. The tall plants and dangling pitcher plants form curtains and walls between sections making each section feel private. Combined with the soothing sound of running water from one of the alfresco dining section, you can't help but fall in love with the place.

Dark wooden timber against green with bright coloured flowers, its almost a perfect postcard setting for photographs. You'd notice a lot of the diners wandering around the grounds taking photographs.

Being situated by the beach, this place has the benefit of the cooling breeze from the sea. This breeze, the garden setting, the food and good company would keep you here for hours.

I absolutely adore this place cause:

The ambience is stunning.
Its perfect for having dinner with friends or a date as the atmosphere is relaxing and breath taking.

Its a perfect harmony of senses.
The sublime food, the ambiance and the adequate wine list, keeps all your senses in balance. 

Poached pear dessert.
This might be the only other place that I know of that does Poached Pear in wine and its accompanied with gelato on the side. I love this dessert! More than anything I come here just for this.

Ferringhi Garden Restaurant
34 A, B & C Batu Ferringhi, 11100, Penang.
T: +604 881 1193

Operating hours:
​Daily, 5pm - 12am

Many long evenings and restaurants later, its time to take it easy tonight. Unwind in comforts with some wholesome Mexican food and rub shoulders with the backpacking crowd and locals a like - this place is it.

Hidden in a corner in Seminyak this little taco joint sure pulls in a crowd. Its subtle and dim lighting that gives this place its sombre ambiance which makes one want to relax and take it easy. Cantina styled seating decked out on the front with an old motorcycle parked to one side, combined with the smiling faces, it has a welcoming yet demure ambience about it. Plus the aroma form the kitchen will make you want to stay!

Taco Local
900, Jl. Petitenget, Bali.
T: +62 361 7979 900