From 22 to 27 April 2025, Kuala Lumpur is set to transform into a spirited playground for cocktail lovers. The second edition of Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW) seeks to shape the region’s bar scene with even more ambition—27 internationally acclaimed bars, over 40 participating venues, and a six-day citywide celebration of guest shifts, collaborative menus, and hospitality-driven programmes.

Global Guest Shifts: Technique Meets Territory

At the heart of KLCW are its collaborations. These one-night-only guest shifts are more than the sum of their parts. Collaborative guest shifts like Bar Trigona x Handshake Speakeasy & BKK Social Club, Three x Co x Soko & Le Chamber, or Vér x Offtrack create rare moments where distinct creative philosophies meet over the bar counter.

KLCW’s collaborative spirit goes beyond the cocktails. Behind the scenes, bartenders exchange tools, techniques, and philosophies—turning every shift into a learning opportunity and cultural exchange.

Participating international bars for KLCW’s City Takeover include Argo (HK), BKK Social Club (BKK), Bar Leone (HK), Bee’s Knees (Kyoto), Dentree (CN), Firefly (TH), Bar Flora (PH), Gokan (HK), Handshake Speakeasy (MX), Jigger & Pony (SG), Le Chamber (KR), Lockdown (HK), Mahaniyom (TH), Night Hawk (SG), Nuss Bar (TH), The Nomad Lab (Mongolia), Offtrack (SG), Opium Bar (TH), Penicillin (HK), Pony Up (CN), Ritz Carlton (JP), Soko Bar (KR), Sugarhall (SG), The House on Sathorn (TH), The Modern Haus (ID), Vender Bar (TW), and Wu (TW), including a Malaysian Takeover with Good Friend’s Club (Penang), Haiiro Usagi (Johor Bahru), Budi (Malacca) and No Bar Here (Penang).

Local bars that will be playing host to the visiting mixologists include Astor Bar, Bā by Kinugawa, Bar Trigona, Cabinet 8 KL, Concubine, Frank’s Bar, Here & Now, Humboldt, Jaan, Jao Tim, Joloko, JungleBird, Lavantha, Living Room at W, Moon Bar, Pahit, Penrose, Rākh, Records, Reka, Remedy, Soma, Terumi, Three X Co and Vér Bar.

Find the full list of Bar Takeovers & Collabs over at @klcwofficial

A City Divided—and United—by the Cocktail

The city has been cleverly divided into five key cocktail zones—Bangsar, Damansara Heights, PJ/TTDI, KL City Centre, and Chinatown—each claiming a day on the calendar and a series of exclusive experiences. The format encourages bar-goers to explore KL’s diverse neighbourhoods through curated takeovers and nightly collaborations.

These events are anchored by some of the world’s most revered bars: Mexico’s Handshake Speakeasy (ranked the World’s Best Bar), Singapore’s Jigger & Pony and Offtrack, Bangkok’s BKK Social Club, Hong Kong’s Bar Leone, ARGO and Penicillin, have their places among the 25 collaborative events. Their appearances bring international recognition—and raise the bar for what’s possible in Malaysia’s cocktail scene.

26 April: KLCW Festival Village at Sentul Depot

All roads lead to Sentul Depot for the KLCW Festival Village—an open-format culmulation of spirits, craft, and community. On Saturday, 26 April, from 2:30pm to 11:30pm, the industrial space comes alive with pop-up bars, brand showcases, live music, and guest activations.

With appearances from participating bars and booths by headline sponsors like Monkey Shoulder, Roku Gin, and Michter’s, the Festival Village distills the essence of KLCW into a high-energy, all-access experience.

Get your tickets to the KLCW Festival Village over at FunNow. Tickets are priced at RM100 and include two cocktails to start, with tokens available for top-up for the cashless event.

Raising the Bar for Kuala Lumpur

With support from brands like Chivas, Martell, Rémy Martin, and FunNow, the festival champions Malaysia’s rising cocktail culture with confidence and clarity, while combining global reach with local heart.

Its industry-focused programming also reflects a maturing scene. Bar Convent Singapore has partnered with KLCW to present seminars led by prominent figures such as Philip Bischoff (BKK Social Club) and Hadrien Moudoulaud (Bar Nouveau), bringing depth to the celebration.

Whether you’re seeking inventive pours, behind-the-bar inspiration, or simply a reason to rediscover KL’s best bars, KLCW 2025 offers a weeklong lens into the future of drink culture in Malaysia.

Where to Dine & Drink (at the same time!)

While the spotlight of Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW) 2025 often falls on its nightly bar takeovers, the festival’s dining collaborations deserve their own standing ovation. From 22 to 27 April, top restaurants across the city are hosting one-night-only pairing dinners that marry inventive cuisine with expertly crafted cocktails—each one a unique conversation between kitchen and bar. Think of it as a chef’s table, but with equal billing behind the bar.

At the heart of these collaborations lies a shared philosophy: cocktails should do more than accompany a dish—they should complete it. Whether it’s the umami-driven open fire fare at Jwala, the progressive flavours of Akâr, or the bold experimentation at Chipta 11A, each kitchen is tasked with creating a multi-course menu that responds to the visiting bar’s identity.

A Taste of the Week

Click on the titles to view each of the KLCW-exclusive menus.

Why You’d Want To Book Your Seats Now

These dinners go beyond novelty. They reflect a deeper evolution in KL’s dining culture—one where bartenders are no longer relegated to the aperitif or after-dinner role, but become integral to the full dining experience. The pairing format challenges both sides to experiment and elevate, resulting in something far more memorable than a typical night out. Do yourself a favour and skip out on the FOMO!

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For full booking details and reservations, visit @klcwofficial or contact individual venues directly.