Tatler Dining Festival, featuring IQOS: The full lineup of bars at the Tatler Bar Crawl

Opened in 2022, Penrose has quickly become a cornerstone of KL’s cocktail scene. Spearheaded by Jon Lee, the Chinatown spot earned the titles of The Best Bar in Malaysia and Eighth Best Bar in Asia during this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars ceremony, with the latter being the highest accolade ever presented to a Malaysian bar.

Known for distilling tipple-making into five core pillars—alcohol, flavour, taste, body, and dilution—Penrose pays homage to the classics while incorporating contemporary twists in drinks like its Rum Musa, a blend of banana, tamarind, pimento berry, and tonka bean. 

From the minds behind Beta KL and Skillet KL comes Upper House, a recently opened rooftop dining destination in the heart of Chinatown. Driven by modern Asian flavours and the cuisine of Chinatown, its bar weaves endemic ingredients into almost every glass from its Blossom Fizz made with osmanthus-infused gin to its Rosy Paloma featuring kemangi cordial. 

Malaysian nostalgia is at the forefront of this Petaling Street haunt. PS150, housed in a pre-war shop lot, specialises in robust Southeast Asian flavours with cocktails that stand as introductions to the region’s culinary heritage.

Designed to emulate a school notebook, its menu is a collection of classics and signatures crafted with a uniquely homegrown flair including its Rumble in the Jungle that showcases gula Melaka syrup and pineapple tuak and its Asamboi-Rita, a play on a margarita infused with calamansi juice and asamboi syrup. 

See also: 7 cocktails that celebrate Malaysian flavours
 

Hidden in plain sight on Jalan Petaling, Botakliquor captures the spirit of Chinatown through both its beverage programme and old-school interior. Strewn with foliage and mismatched furniture, its menu is as eclectic as its space.

Signatures here represent the flavours of Malaysia from the banana vermouth-infused Kelapa and the Bunga Raya made with hibiscus kombucha to the curry leaf and Sarawak pineapple accented Daun Kari. 

Cocktails inspired by Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown take centre stage here. Jann is an epicentre of creative drinks inspired by tradition with a menu that finds inspiration in nostalgic Malaysian treats.

One of Chinatown’s favourite nightlife destinations, XO is a must-visit when in search of a party. Drenched in LED lights, the atmosphere is consistently lively and amplified by its assortment of tipples including blends of melon milk and shiso and Absinthe Sours infused with kaffir lime. 

Where lanterns hang on Lorong Panggung, you’ll find Baiju. Situated in a vibrant back alley, old-world charm finds its way back to Chinatown with this spot. Inspired by Chinese tea houses, traditional design elements can be found throughout the space from its antiquated display cabinets to its door handles.

Its menu also pays tribute to tradition, seeing shooters infused with soursop or longan served in tea cups and its Bling Bling, a blend of dragonfruit and goji berries. 

Don’t miss: 5 weird and wonderful cocktails to try in Kuala Lumpur

Located below Pickle Dining, Chouchou is Chinatown’s newest cocktail bar. Inventive creations are aplenty here, able to be paired with a selection of plates from the upstairs kitchen. Drinks here are categorised by robustness, with tipples that feature a slew of additions from snake fruit and saffron liqueur to sweet soy sauce and sesame oil able to cater to all palates. 

Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, every aspect of Concubine pays tribute to local history. An urban reimagining of Chinatown’s spirited past, the bar has preserved its age-worn walls and original wood structures.

Its beverage lineup adds to this, echoing aspects of local culture in drinks like its Minyak Cap Kapak, a blend of gin, eucalyptus, and mint cordial, and its Ginger Torch Flower made with bunga kantan cordial and Prosecco. 

Located a stone’s throw away from REXKL, patrons can experience the best of Chinatown at Crane, with its balcony overlooking the perpetually bustling Jalan Sultan. With neoclassical influences peppered throughout the space, its menu similarly brings together old and new in creations Spirit of Haven featuring buah salak infused vodka, Evolution Martini spiked with pandan coconut rum, and The Dragon Turns sweetened with homemade peppercorn syrup. 

Known for its playful name and its even cheekier cocktails, G-String KL is always a must-visit when in Chinatown. Its cocktail collection is eclectic and bold, seeing drinks called Shanghai Dubstep, Pink Doraemon, and Spanish Fly alongside an assortment of classics. 

Secure your entry to the Tatler Bar Crawl by purchasing a ticket to the Tatler Dining Festival, featuring IQOS. One ticket will provide you access to both the Street Sips and Bites Fiesta alongside the Tatler Bar Crawl where you’ll get to experience the best of Chinatown’s cocktail scene.

Ticket holders will be entitled to cocktails priced at exclusive flat rate prices. 

Date: November 23-24
Venue: Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur
Time: 7pm-12am
Price: RM50 (inclusive of entry to the Tatler Bar Crawl)

Please note that cocktails from bars are not included in the entry fee and must be purchased separately. 

*PMI global estimate of total In-Market Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices as of June 2023.

IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. Only for use by adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products.

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