· BURPPLE

Drink Up This Weekend: Oriental Bars

Six spots with an oriental twist for you bar-hopping Burpplers.

From the trademark crimson hues of neon lights to their use of Southeast Asian ingredients that brings our tippling taste buds a little closer to home, these oriental inspired cocktail bars are out to change the drinking game in our city. Got a hot date this weekend? Or perhaps you need a place to swank up your next sesh with the gang. Whichever you’re down for, here are six spots for you bar-hopping Burpplers.

1. PS150

ps150

Photo by Burppler Michelle T.

Sporting the facade of an unassuming toy shop along Petaling Street, PS150 is one of the pioneering names to have kickstarted the cocktail bar scene over two years ago. While well concealed, PS150 is strictly not a speakeasy and instead, simply a cocktail bar with a spot-on concept. Enter the wooden door and be transported back in time through three sections, each designed to emulate an iconic cocktail era. The Opium Den, with its dim-lit private booth seats, is perfect for date nights, while the open-air patio will suit those who enjoy their drink with a puff (non-smokers might want to steer clear of this section). Finally, there is the picturesque bar in the back, where all the action happens. Head bartender and co-owner Angel Ng is best known for her award-winning take on a lychee martini spiked with fragrant torch ginger flower — no one leaves PS150 without an order of the Lychee No.3 (RM39), and neither should you.

2. The Pawn Room

pawnroom

Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh 

The team behind bespoke wine bar The Private Room takes the drinking game up a notch to The Pawn Room. Located on the second floor, this cocktail bar is curtly camouflaged with a door made to resemble apothecary drawers, and the novelty doesn’t end there. True to its name, The Pawn Room allows you to pawn something of value in exchange for a drink — so far we heard they’ve taken up offers for vintage record players, jewelry, even washing-up services! To the neighbourhood that teems with run of the mill beer houses and cafes, this vibrant bar adds a fascinating dynamic. When here, try the Bunga Kaseh (RM36), a gin-based drink accented with local chrysanthemum juice and pandan syrup. You might also recognise resident mixologist Janice, who once helmed the bar at Omakase + Appreciate. The veteran bartender makes some great off-menu cocktails too, so don’t hesitate if you get to give her bespoke concoctions a shot!

3. BarZhen

barzhen

Photo by Burppler Martin Wong

If we were to chart this list of bars by levels of inconspicuousness, BarZhen would top it. Tucked in an alley where a nighttime noodle stall operates, this one takes an eagle eye to spot. Pro tip: Look out for the door directly across the mural of two birds. File this away for when you want to have an innocuous drink amidst pseudo-dangerous Prohibition vibes. A must-have here is the Red Dates Clover Club (RM35) — red dates-infused gin with egg white. The smooth and refreshing treat guarantees an impressionable first visit and, perhaps, a return one too.

Check out our feature on BarZhen here.

4. The Red Chamber

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Photo by Burppler Martin Wong

One of the newer additions to the scene, The Red Chamber fills a void in OUG, where the bar scene is still young. The homey location also means this bar has kept things modest, from their low-key side door entrance to the simple interiors. If you need a cool drinking hole nearby to bring the parents, this is it. While some may not be particularly familiar with the nostalgic Chinese tunes playing in the background, your folks sure will. There is no menu as of yet, so simply drop the bartender a preferential hint and let them make the magic happen.

5. Suzie Wong

suziewong

Photo by Burppler Martin Wong

Suzie Wong keeps a grand reputation for being extremely clandestine (and exclusive), so it’s no wonder this bar exudes underground loft vibes. The entrance greets you with delicious whiffs from a wanton noodle stall that operates outside the bar — a quaint addition reminiscent of Hong Kong’s hawker-filled streets at night. Inside, expect to be charmed into a world of East-meets-West glitz and glamour — we hope you brought someone to impress! For those who value conversations with their cocktails, get a table in the first room, which offers a little bit of quiet amidst elegant English decor. Otherwise, get bedazzled by oriental-inflected cabaret and burlesque performances in the next room. Need a drink? Count on head bartender Danny Azarya to mix up a good one for you.

6. Kenshin

kenshin

Photo by Burppler Martin Wong

Replacing the now-defunct Tate in The Intermark, Kenshin serves up a perfect blend of subtle sophistication and fantastic drinks. The bar’s Japanese influence shows up in the space that sees contemporary minimalism, while the menu hits closer to home. Expect a varied repertoire of cocktails with Malayan, Bornean, Sumatran and Siamese inflections. If you’re not feeling so adventurous, the bartenders will also be happy to whip up any classic of your preference.


You may also like this Asian-inspired bar with a deadly spin.