Cover The inaugural Tatler Best of Malaysia 2025 presents special awards given to cocktail bars and outstanding bartenders in Malaysia's eclectic bar scene (Photo: Penrose)
The inaugural Tatler Best of Malaysia 2025 presents special awards given to cocktail bars and outstanding bartenders in Malaysia's eclectic bar scene (Photo: Penrose)
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Read on to find out which best bars and bartenders won special awards from Tatler Best Malaysia 2025
For the past 20 years, Tatler Dining Malaysia has been producing the Tatler Dining Guide, showcasing the city’s best restaurants through our annual Tatler Dining Guide. Now, with the launch of Tatler Best, this year sees the inaugural bar awards category come to fruition. For our very first bar awards, we celebrate six Best-in-Class categories, spotlighting the best bars and mixologists in the country.
Together with our curated panel of tastemakers—in-house editorial team and expert reviewers, we’re thrilled to announce the handpicked list of exceptional bars that have raised the ceiling within the drinks industry in Malaysia in their respective categories. Without further ado, here are the winners for 2025.
1. Penrose KL
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Chinatown
Interior of Penrose
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Awards
2026 Bar of the Year
2026 Tatler Best 20
2025 Tatler Best 100 Bars Asia-Pacific
Must Try
- Ume Fuji
- Rum Musa
- Penrose Gibson
Bar of the Year: Penrose
This award recognises the highest ranking bar, as voted on by our panel of industry leaders and tastemakers. Jon Lee and his talented team have undoubtedly elevated Malaysia’s bar scene, with Penrose a destination for both locals and travellers alike. A name known widely across the bar scene, it is known not just for its exceptional drinks, but also for its warm and genuine support for the industry.
2. Cabinet 8
Chinatown
Interior of Cabinet 8 KL
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Awards
2026 Tatler Best 20
2025 Tatler Best Malaysia: Best New Bar
Best New Bar: Cabinet 8 KL
Tucked away behind unassuming cabinet doors in Chinatown is the hidden cocktail bar Cabinet 8 KL, which first made its name in Johor Bahru. Helmed by self-taught mixologist Justin Tay, the bar pays homage to Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage through inventive cocktails. For an authentic taste of local street food, try the Double Special, a savoury cocktail inspired by the iconic Ramly Burger, featuring local onions, pickled cucumber, and Maggi seasoning—a true tribute to Malaysia’s beloved street food culture.
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3. Backdoor Bodega
Penang
Interior of Backdoor Bodega (Image: Yung Shen Koh)
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Awards
2026 Tatler Best 20
2026 Tatler Best-in-Class Rising Star
2025 Tatler Best 100 Bars Asia-Pacific
Must Try
- Kelapa Hotak
- Ulam Mojito
- Georgetown Gimlet
Best Innovation: Backdoor Bodega
Speakeasy Backdoor Bodega is hidden inside what looks like a pin shop, but inside, guests are welcome to an ever-changing menu of specialty cocktails featuring ingredients unique to Penang. From nutmeg and belacan to Penang-made soy sauce, the team here keeps things fun and interesting, ensuring guests are engaged and involved. The bar is helmed by self-taught bartender Koh Yung Shen, who is also the organiser of Penang Cocktail Week. Don’t leave without trying the Kelapa Hotak, the first-ever cocktail on the menu since Backdoor Bodega’s debut in 2016. This clarified concoction blends coconut, white rum, kaya, and pandan for a smooth, aromatic sip that perfectly captures the essence of Penang.
4. Reka:Bar
Bukit Damansara
Interior of Reka:Bar (Image: Reka:Bar)
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Awards
2026 Best Innovation
2026 Tatler Best 20
2025 Tatler Best 100 Bars Asia-Pacific
Must Try
- Liquid Ambra
- Martini...Still Nost Stirred
- Dusun 2.0
Best Design: Reka:Bar
Cocktail culture meets cutting edge design in Reka: Bar. Envisioned by owner Nick Choo and brought to life by design studio Port 25, the Damansara Heights space transforms traditional mixology into an immersive experience. The design seamlessly blends industrial elements –tarnished copper and luminescent stone–with theatrical flair, highlighted by the standout "chemistry lab" where mixologists craft their experimental concoctions. The interplay of raw materials, dramatic lighting, and precise attention to detail creates an atmosphere that's both technically sophisticated and warmly inviting.
5. Penrose KL
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Chinatown
Jon Lee of Penrose (Image: Maria Esbobar)
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Awards
2026 Bar of the Year
2026 Tatler Best 20
2025 Tatler Best 100 Bars Asia-Pacific
Must Try
- Ume Fuji
- Rum Musa
- Penrose Gibson
Best Service: Penrose
Since it opened its doors in 2022, Penrose has become one of Kuala Lumpur’s most celebrated cocktail bars. The intimate atmosphere and bar counter seats allows bartenders to focus on attentive and intentional service. Here, conversations and relationships with guests take center stage, resulting in memorable experiences.
6. Here & Now
Bukit Damansara
Team at Here & Now
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Awards
2025 Tatler Best Malaysia: Rising Star
2025 Tatler Best 20
Must Try
- Yam
- Guava
- Ume
Rising Star: Affie Adut
The current head bartender and founder of Here & Now began his bartending journey in 2016. Self-taught, Affie was always intrigued in the art of mixing, and has brought the modern tropical cocktail bar to new heights with his creativity, bringing in exciting guest shifts while pushing the local cocktail scene forward with innovative menus. For instance, Here & Now’s current menu is inspired by the ancient traditions of turning fruit and roots into cocktails.
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