Humboldt
1. Humboldt
Best Design: Humboldt
Humboldt takes inspiration from the Humboldt ocean current, seen not just in its cocktails but also its design. The polygonal artwork behind the bar and the custom built bar installations draw inspiration from the natural habitat of the Humboldt penguin.
Three X Co
2. Three X Co
Best Service: Three X Co
If there is one bar in Kuala Lumpur that portrays Malaysian hospitality, it is Three X Co. Collaborating with local artists and creatives, the team at Three X Co, led by co-founder Angeline Tan and head bartender Amanda Wan, delivers top-notch service that is inclusive and seamless. This year, Three X Co launched its Individuality menu tour across Malaysia, from Sekinchan to Kuching, hoping to discover how locals connect with cocktails.
Rising Star: Thanesh Joel, 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.
Reka:Bar
4. Reka:Bar
Best Innovation: Reka:Bar
Inspired by the Malay term for creation, reka, and the Greek word for the joy of discovery, Eureka, Reka:Bar delivers a fun and memorable journey through flavours and sensory pleasures. The bar team, led by Joel Poon, serves masterful cocktails that are both technical and balanced. For instance, the Pistapple Passion which highlights pistachio in the form of a distillate, garnished with a sous-vide pistachio yoghurt crisp, which blends in the mouth to create a savoury, refreshing experience.
Lavantha
5. Lavantha
Best New Bar: Lavantha
From the team behind Penrose is Lavantha, a cavern-like cocktail lounge set within a repurposed bank vault that is rooted in intentionality, an exciting new addition to the local bar scene. Drinks are created to highlight the intrinsic character of the main spirit without unnecessary ingredients.
Penrose
6. Penrose
Bar of the Year: Penrose
This award recognises the highest ranking bar, as voted on by our panel of industry leaders and tastemakers. While Penrose has won this awards for two years in a row, it is without a doubt that Jon Lee and his talented team have elevated Malaysia’s bar scene, with Penrose a destination for both locals and travellers alike. Embracing intentional simplicity, every element, from the interior to its drinks, is crafted with purpose, allowing guests to discover layered complexity.
