Kuala Lumpur’s bar scene is experiencing a quiet renaissance. No longer is it just about rooftop glitz or speakeasy secrets, the city’s newest bars are pushing boundaries—blending culinary artistry, cultural homage, and design-savvy spaces to create immersive drinking experiences for the discerning crowd.
Whether it’s a chicken rice cocktail crafted by a mixology veteran, or a sky-high lounge curated for the musically inclined, these five new establishments are setting a higher bar—literally and figuratively. The city’s freshest pours deserve your attention, here why:
H Bar
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Set against the commanding backdrop of KL’s evolving skyline, H Bar is a sleek new addition to The MET that balances high-octane energy with cosmopolitan flair. Designed with the executive elite in mind, it plays host to regional DJs, live music, and after-hours glamour with a distinctly international pulse. It’s fast becoming the after-dark destination for those who like their nights loud, luxurious, and above ground.
Why go: An electrifying blend of business and pleasure
Order this: The house champagne cocktail, ideally enjoyed with a skyline view and soundtracked by live beats
KL Metropolis, Menara The MET, 20, Jalan Dutamas 2, Segambut, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, +6012 538 4528
Furin
Serenity meets sophistication at Furin, a quiet contender for KL’s most elegant new bar. Inspired by Japanese flavours and rituals, it favours subtlety over spectacle. Drinks are crafted with intention and balance, from the refreshingly zesty Catch Me If You Can to complex omakase flights tailored to your palate. It’s the sort of place where conversations linger and time slows down.
Why go: A refined retreat for those who drink mindfully
Recommended: Sit at the bar, speak softly, sip slowly
G06, The Ampwalk, 218, Jalan Ampang, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 55000 Kuala Lumpur; 011-1793 8935
Lavantha
Tucked within the design-forward Moxy KL Chinatown, Lavantha is where celebrated mixologist Jon Lee—of Penrose renown—returns to the bar with a botanical vengeance. Every cocktail here is a study in restraint and reinvention. Expect seasonal herbs, floral infusions, and delicate complexity served with a wink of playfulness. It’s a space that rewards quiet curiosity over loud indulgence.
Why go: For the cocktail connoisseur who drinks with intention
Not to miss: Whatever’s seasonal—Lee doesn’t miss.
Lower Ground Floor, Chinatown, 1, Jalan Hang Lekiu, City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur; 016-230 0905
Bru Cafe & Bar
Bru in Cheras is the kind of neighbourhood gem every urban sprawl deserves. It transitions effortlessly from a caffeine-fuelled café by day to a laid-back bar by night—complete with artisanal cocktails, minimalist design, and a community-first approach that feels refreshingly unpretentious. Proof that great drinks aren’t confined to the city centre.
Why go: A casual yet considered escape in KL’s eastern corridor
Try: Their signature Bru G&T, elevated with house-made botanicals
No. 128, Blok P/A, Jln Kaskas, Taman Cheras, 56100 Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur; 017-874 1639
Dear Hearts and Chilled Spirits
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Few bars take risks quite like this. Helmed by award-winning bartender Jason Yee, Dear Hearts and Chilled Spirits is a masterclass in emotional storytelling—expressed entirely through its cocktail menu. The headline act? A reimagined Chicken Rice cocktail, which captures the soul of a hawker classic in a refined, drinkable form. It’s daring, unconventional, and exactly what KL’s bar scene needs.
Why go: For mixology that blurs the line between memory and invention
Signature serve: Chicken Rice—yes, really
75A, Jalan SS 22/11, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Final Pour
These bars aren’t just new—they’re necessary. They reflect a KL that’s growing up, embracing nuance, and celebrating culture through craft. Whether you’re chasing the next big opening or simply in search of a more thoughtful drink, this new wave of bars invites you to savour the moment—and maybe, stay for one more.
