Cover Some of the best drinks don't need to come with alcohol, and the bars are definitely picking up (Image: Submerge)
Some of the best drinks don't need to come with alcohol, and the bars are definitely picking up (Image: Submerge)
1 / 1
Having a drink doesn’t always need to come with all the negatives. Here are the bars with our favourite No/Lo drinks
Not having an alcoholic drink at a bar doesn’t have to entail a Shirley Temple or a Virgin Mojito all the time. If you’re continuing your streak from Dry January, or you’re just trying to cut down on the drinks, the bar scene in Malaysia is extremely welcoming for that.
Nearly every bar will have non-alcoholic options that are not just a cola or a ginger beer, but rather, a sophisticated menu of high-effort drinks with an approach that used to be reserved for their high-proof spirits.
In case you missed it: Zero-proof drinks are big business: 8 celebrity-backed non-alcoholic beverages
Bar Trigona
Above Glacier, made with asam boi, lemongrass, elderflower, and butterfly pea (Image: Bar Trigona)
Glacier, made with asam boi, lemongrass, elderflower, and butterfly pea (Image: Bar Trigona)
1 / 1
One of Kuala Lumpur’s most esteemed bars might have to be Bar Trigona, nestled within the grandeur of Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, and surrounded by some of the best views of the twin towers.
For those who enjoy their drinks but might want something a little less punchy, many of their signature cocktails can be made to be non-alcoholic, including a fan favourite, Glacier, made with asam boi, pressed lemongrass, elderflower tonic, and butterfly pea ice.
Cacao Mixology & Chocolate
Above Asam boi cacao virgroni (Image: Cacao Mixology)
Above Bunga kantan and lychee mocktail (Image: Cacao Mixology)
Asam boi cacao virgroni (Image: Cacao Mixology)
1 / 2
A space that truly feels like a hotel bar, Cacao Mixology & Chocolate is Southeast Asia’s only chocolate-themed bar, and is located on the 75th floor with wraparound views as you sip.
Enjoy their cacao flight with specific drink and chocolate pairings, including a Curry Cacao Highball, Asamboi Cacao Virgroni, paired with thoughtfully selected chocolates from Vietnam and Kelantan. Be even more spoiled for choice as their menu features a range of signature cocktails, made to be zero proof. The expertise of their bar team is still shown on full display in their non-alcoholic menu, and simultaneously have the experience of being in a fancy hotel bar.
Dissolved Solids
Above Stone Juniper (Image: Dissolved Solids)
Stone Juniper (Image: Dissolved Solids)
1 / 1
This neighbourhood bar in Damansara Kim is a bar-cafe hybrid that has long been a pioneer of the experimental side of drinks, and their latest menu reflects a serious commitment to the No/Lo movement.
Don’t expect juice mocktails from the team here, rather, find their approach akin to the techniques they use for their cocktail menu, which includes infusing coffee, tea, and botanical bases with the same complexity and technicality other bars use for their high-proof spirits.
They approach their drinks with a culinary discipline, which doesn’t feel like a compromise when you’re drinking a No/Lo drink. Bring home their DIY mocktail kits too, not just for yourself, but they also make a great gift for anyone who wants to have a weekend nightcap at home, but without the alcohol.
Submerge
Above Iteration 3 (Image: Submerge)
Above Iteration 2 (Image: Submerge)
Iteration 3 (Image: Submerge)
1 / 2
From the team at Afloat Coffee Roasters, Submerge is their sultry, darker sister. This coffee bar dives deeper into the more complex profiles of specialty beans in a bar setting, but doesn’t mean they don’t do their non-alcoholic drinks as well.
Their menu treats coffee in both their non-alcoholic and alcoholic menu as a versatile foundation, and is a masterclass in using simple ingredients to build a sophisticated, multi-layered experience.
Frank's
Above A trio of non-alcoholic drinks await in the New York inspired bar (Image: Frank's)
A trio of non-alcoholic drinks await in the New York inspired bar (Image: Frank's)
1 / 1
This Sinatra inspired bar nearly screams for a drink in your hand, and with their new menu, it’s not going to be difficult to deny yourself one.
Their new zero-proof range of drinks in their menu hits all the spots, whether you’d like a longer, fizzy drink, or a shorter, heavier one, they’ve got it all. Using ingredients like earl grey and cinnamon verjus, or any of their homemade infusions, your drinking experience is evidently thought out. Enjoy the feeling of being transported back in time, without any of the guilt.
Keandra's expertise lies within writing deep dives into the culture and anthropology of food, sometimes with a philosophical twist. With a background in London's F&B consultancy scene, she's excited to be back in Kuala Lumpur to champion the local dining scene.
Reach her at keandra.hing@tatlerasia.com, @keandruh
