The global speakeasy scene has taken Asia by storm but it’s not just the big cities that are getting in on the act. On the tiny Malaysian island of Penang, innovative bartenders and entrepreneurs are creating speakeasies worthy of the cocktail capitals. Grace Brewer gives us the low down on some of her favourites.
So when we think of Malaysia, many great things come to mind. World-class diving, an awesome and eclectic food culture, towering peaks and dense jungles, tanned girls in short shorts. What probably doesn’t come to mind is a vibrant cocktail scene, and certainly not outside the capital Kuala Lumpur. However, with Penang’s ever-burgeoning economy has come new hotels, fancy restaurants, and a new drinking culture that’s regularly leaving the beer girls of the night markets in its wake. Here are some of our favourite hideaways on Malaysia’s part island.
Golden Shower Lounge
Secret sister to the ever-famous Chin Chin Gastropub, the striking (if not ill-named) Golden Shower Lounge offers a more exclusive vibe with its photogenic pink, gold, and white interior. Unlike your standard bar, this speakeasy is also a fine dining lounge, specialising in small plates, with cocktails, a glass of carefully selected wine or a stiff drink on offer to accompany every dish. The place has an open kitchen concept so you get to see the chefs in action from your seat at the oblong bar. Open from 5.30 pm-2 am Tuesday to Sunday.
Out of Nowhere
Living up to its name, you enter Out of Nowhere through a bright orange fridge – the only object with colour in the room – inside a humble café. By day the café serves freshly brewed coffee, by night the hidden bar opens up to serve cocktails using locally-sourced ingredients. The expert bartenders recommend cocktails to suit your taste and are happy to customise the recipes to your requirements. The bar features dark walls, low and comfortable leather chairs surrounded by house plants, and an open-air area that’s accessible at the back. Closed on Sundays, this hidden gem is open from 6 pm – 1 am.
Magazine 63
Signposted only by a banner reading “Xiao Long Nv Furniture Shop”, Magazine 63 looks abandoned, with the entrance hidden behind an industrial-looking scissor metal gate. Beyond, the speakeasy is designed like an old Chinese saloon, with high brick walls, lanterns, and parasols littering the ceiling, and servers dressed in traditional Chinese costume. Nv Er Hong, the bar’s signature cocktail, is served in an authentic Chinese wine bottle, to be enjoyed directly from ornate Chinese rice bowls. Time your visit for the regular live music performances, with the band taking centre stage on a mezzanine above the bar. Magazine 63 is open every day from 8 pm – 3 am.
For more Wining & Dining inspiration click here.
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? FOLLOW ALPHA MEN ASIA ON FACEBOOK, OR INSTAGRAM AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HONG KONG-CENTRIC NEWSLETTER HERE