Vinyl records and cold war cocktails: 6 of Kuala Lumpur’s coolest themed bars
Cold war-inspired The Berlin, Prohibition-era The Vault and delightful ‘rhythms’ of Rentak’s old vinyl records are among the Malaysian capital’s great offerings
Hotel bars are so last year. These days, the Malaysian capital is spiked with an inventive mix of nightspots often in hard-to-find – and unexpected locations – all with memorable backstories.
A night out can take unexpected turns – from speakeasies that play house music to cocktails celebrating political polemics, and don’t forget, boozy trips down memory lane to the vintage 1970s when the rum and the conversations flowed in equal measures.
1. The Berlin
The Chinatown location of Kuala Lumpur’s cold war-inspired The Berlin might be slightly incongruous with its John Le Carre-esque setting. But as you shuffle down Jalan Tun HS Lee, you will spot a bright red door next to a 7-Eleven store.
Like the spies who came in from the proverbial cold (or in this case, a sweaty, humid evening), there is sweet familiarity in this mess of electro neon fabulousness – a mini-tribute to co-owner Natalie Kniese’s home city.
Expect a cocktail list that wonderfully matches the pre-Glasnost 1960s vibe. Order the JFK, a Presidential combination of vodka and Baileys, commemorating the late US president Kennedy’s 1963 visit to Berlin.
The more stoic among us might find comfort with the absinthe-flavoured Berlin Mauer – a tribute to the Berlin Wall, and like the structure from the history books, you’re most likely also set to fall after say, five of these.
Address: 208, Jalan Tun H S Lee