Cover The Old Merchant (Photo: Instagram/@the_old_merchant)
The Old Merchant (Photo: Instagram/@the_old_merchant)
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Step into these bars for a night cap after a day of playing tourist in this historical city
There is plenty to explore in this heritage town filled with history, culture, and, of course, food. From chicken rice balls to ayam pong teh, Melaka's culinary offerings are vast. To match its food scene, Melaka's nightlife is seeing an uptick in activity with more and more venues opening up in the heritage core zone.
Read more: 6 trendy bars in George Town, Penang for a cocktail
Aside from your usual resto-bars, there are a few cocktail bars worthy of checking out, including speakeasies, riverside beer bars and even a century-old spot run by an elderly lady who serves up dependable classic tipples. Here are the six bars that should be on your radar.
Sin Hiap Hin
No barhopping adventure in Melaka would be complete without a trip to the legendary century-old Sin Hiap Hin in Kampung Jawa. Embodying Melaka's old charm, Sin Hiap Hin has stood the test of time and has been shaking up cocktails for loyal followers with septuagenarian Lee Lian Suan behind the bar. She has been on the job for over four decades!
Don’t let its closed iron grill gate stop you. Just give Lee a shout and she'll gladly open it and let you in. On its shelves, you’ll spot some rare and traditional liquors, some even older than the bar itself. It may not be a fancy, modern bar but you can't beat a golden oldie in a Unesco Heritage Site.
Sin Hiap Hin, 5, Kampung Jawa, 75200 Melaka, Monday-Sunday, 9am-6pm
The Old Merchant
Decked out in classy 1920s Chinese decor is The Old Merchant, facing the Melaka River along Jalan Kampung Pantai. In the 19th century, the address apparently operated as a private bank.
Calling itself the first speakeasy in the city, The Old Merchant's cocktails feature local flavours like soursop, chrysanthemum, and even chilli. You can locate it by the brass lion head doorknobs.
The Old Merchant, 88, Jalan Kampung Pantai, 75200 Melaka, +6019 627 9020, @the_old_merchant on Instagram, Sunday-Thursday, 6pm-1am; Friday-Saturday, 6pm-2am; closed on Monday
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Yù Neighbourhood
Yù Neighbourhood is a no-menu cocktail bar that operates based on your palates. Located in a secluded spot at the end of Tofu Street, you have to ring a doorbell to gain access. Once you're inside, take a seat and tell the bartender your preferred flavour profile and he will whip something up. The space is extremely cosy so reservations are highly recommended.
Yù Neighbourhood, 89, Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, +6017 302 3881, @yuneighbourhood on Instagram, Friday-Wednesday, 6pm-2am
Budi
For a true Melaka cocktail experience, head to Budi that proudly puts the unique flavours of the state on display. From roselle flower to the ambarella fruit, its cocktails feature ingredients that Budi grows itself or sources from local farmers.
Located above a coffee roaster, Budi’s space is quaint and dotted with Malaysian motifs like batik. Fans of citrusy cocktails can go for The Belimbing, made using starfruit, lime, kaffir lime leaves, rum, and pisco. The Nenas is also one of its signatures, concocted with pineapples and Hennessy cognac.
Budi, 16, Kampung Jawa, 75100 Melaka, +6017 718 8269, @budi.melaka on Instagram, Wednesday-Sunday, 4pm-12am; Monday, 5pm-12am
See also: 7 bars to visit in Ipoh, Perak
The Sandman
The Sandman is such a hidden bar that not even Google can tell you exactly where it is. You will need to give the owner a call to come and get you from the street. Its menu consists of well-balanced and creative tipples, both classic and modern, with its whisky sours and clarified Long Island iced teas proving to be crowd favourites.
The Sandman, 32, Jalan Kampung Hulu, Kampung Dua, 75200 Melaka, +6012 375 3669, @sandman_melaka on Instagram, Monday-Sunday, 6pm-12am
Tipsy Bridge
Located in a tiny alley off the main street, Tipsy Bridge's entrance is brightly indicated by a large neon sign with an arrow helpfully pointing you in the right direction. It's known for its colourful cocktails, fun setting, and classic hits blaring from the loudspeakers.
Tipsy Bridge, No. 14 Lorong Jabatan, Kampung Pantai, 75200 Melaka, +6010 706 4154, @tipsybridgeauthentic on Instagram, Thursday-Tuesday, 6pm-2am
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Amanda is a KL-born and raised third culture kid, who lives to eat. If not found reading, writing for Tatler Dining, or snacking, she is most likely playing with her dog, Katsu, sourcing new Birkenstocks, or looking for a new restaurant to venture to.
Follow her on Instagram at @feedingamanda.
