Malaysia’s bar scene has reached a confident new peak in 2025. With four bars ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Bars, and another two on the extended 51-100 list, the country has cemented its position as one of the region’s most dynamic drinking destinations.
From precision-led counters and sensory “flavour labs” in Kuala Lumpur to a hidden cocktail den in Penang masquerading as a pin shop, these bars are setting the tone for what Malaysian mixology looks like now: bold, expressive, and globally relevant.
Drinking culture goes beyond the taste in a glass, hospitality and guest experience plays a massive role in guaranteeing an establishment’s success. The bars that made this year’s list have earned their place not only through craft, but through care. We talk about these places because of how they made us feel, and that’s what brings us back again and again.
Malaysia’s Best Bars, according to Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025:
- Penrose (No. 10)
- Three X Co (No. 15)
- Bar Trigona (No. 39)
- Reka:Bar (No. 47)
- Backdoor Bodega (No. 64)
- Coley (No. 92)
Penrose, Kuala Lumpur – No. 10
Now in the Top 10 for the second year running, Jon Lee’s Penrose has quickly become a standard-bearer for precision and poise. Located in KL’s Chinatown, the bar offers an understated, immersive experience with cocktails built on a five-pillar structure: alcohol, flavour, taste, body, and dilution.
The bar’s namesake Penrose Gibson, a crisp martini accented with sake vinegar and pickled leek, captures its philosophy perfectly. With its measured design, palate-first service, and elegant restraint, Penrose is redefining what a modern classic bar can be.
Three X Co, Kuala Lumpur – No. 15
Founded in 2017 by a trio of award-winning bartenders, Three X Co is both dramatic and approachable. Its meteoric climb in 2025, jumping 45 spots from last year and re-entering the Top 50, marks its highest-ever placement and a reaffirmation of its creativity.
Head bartender Amanda Wan’s current Indi V Duality menu takes guests through cocktails with personality-driven alter egos, balancing flair with finesse. Whether it’s the lychee-laced Whimsy Wabbit or tea-infused riffs on classics, Three X Co’s menu reflects a growing hunger for drinks that entertain, express, and surprise.
Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur – No. 39
Bar Trigona has been ranked in the Top 50 for the seventh consecutive year—a legacy that no other Malaysian bar can match. Known for its stingless bee honey and commitment to Malaysian ingredients, this bar at Four Seasons KL now led by head bartender and beverage manager Rohan Matmary sets the standard for sustainability in luxury hospitality.
Its Trigona Old Fashioned remains an enduring favourite, blending bourbon with house-infused honey and custom bitters. Even as newer bars rise, Trigona continues to be the anchor of KL’s global cocktail relevance..
Reka:Bar, Kuala Lumpur – No. 47
Part science lab, part lounge, Reka:Bar is where KL’s modernist edge comes alive. Its sleek interior hides a fully equipped flavour lab, where drinks are clarified, fermented, and distilled in-house. Reka’s back-to-back Top 50 placements prove there’s space for cerebral cocktails in Malaysia’s mainstream, especially when they’re this fun.
The now-iconic Naughty Congee — inspired by Chinese porridge — delivers warmth, umami and originality in a glass. From bubble-topped martinis to themed sensory pairings, Reka is Malaysia’s boldest cocktail playground.
Backdoor Bodega, Penang – No. 64
First entering the list in 2024, Backdoor Bodega retains its place with a concept that’s anything but conventional. Hidden behind a T-shirt shop, this Penang bar has become a pilgrimage site for drinkers who appreciate irreverent storytelling and serious flavour.
Its Georgetown Gimlet, inspired by assam laksa, mixes torch ginger, tamarind, and even a whisper of belacan into a gin-based cocktail that somehow works — brilliantly. With its 2025 Asia’s Best Cocktail Menu award in hand, Backdoor Bodega proves that Malaysia’s smaller cities can go toe-to-toe with Asia’s best.
The “Guide to Penang” menu at Backdoor Bodega also received the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2025, an honour awarded for “innovation, design, drinks craft and communication”.
Coley, Kuala Lumpur – No. 92
A KL institution and longtime list-maker, Coley was founded by CK Kho, a pioneer of Malaysia’s modern cocktail movement. While CK now manages several projects—most notably the acclaimed gin bar Pahit—Coley remains steady under head bartender Alvin “Loco”, whose irreverent streak keeps the bar fun.
Debuting on Asia’s 50 Best Bars all the way back in 2018, it excels at simple ideas done exceptionally well. The ever-popular Gin & Coconut, a tropical riff on the gin & tonic using fresh coconut water, remains a KL classic. Even as other bars climb higher, Coley’s presence reminds us that hospitality, approachability, and precision never go out of style.
Honourable Mention: JungleBird, KL
Though absent from the list in 2025, Joshua Ivanovic, Lolita Goh and Divyesh Chauhan’s JungleBird legacy is unshakable. From its early Top 50 appearances since 2018, to its role in championing over 300 labels of rum, the bar remains a staple for locals and visiting bartenders alike. With its signature Jungle Bird cocktail, nori-washed Bloody Marias, and tropically charged vibe, JungleBird continues to influence KL’s drinking scene in subtle but significant ways.
How the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Rankings Are Decided
Asia’s 50 Best Bars is voted on by a panel of over 300 bar professionals from across the region.
Each voter selects up to seven bars they’ve personally visited in the past 18 months, with a maximum of five from their home country. There’s no application process, and no influence from sponsors or advertising.
The voting process is independently audited by Deloitte to ensure accuracy and regional balance. This approach allows the list to reflect the opinions of those who actively shape and support Asia’s bar culture.
For Malaysian bars, appearing on the list is a result of consistent excellence in service, atmosphere, and drinks quality. These recognitions reflect how each bar has built meaningful reputations among both peers and guests throughout the region.
The bottom line is: Whether you’re chasing molecular riffs or coconut coolers, there’s never been a better time to explore Malaysian cocktail culture.
Do you have a favourite on the list? Tell us what you love to order or who always makes your night memorable. Drop us comment or tag us in your next cocktail outing on Instagram (@nacre.asia)—we’re always on the lookout for what’s worth sipping next.
Nacre. 
Leave a reply to Nacre Weekender: Dining in Conversation (15–17 August 2025) – Nacre. Cancel reply