Kuala Lumpur’s two best gosh-darn bars have exploded onto the international stage, and been named in the top 50 best bars in Asia. We are so excited we nearly forgot it was lunch, we still have another seven hours at the office, and it is probably a bad idea to start drinking now.
JungleBird and Coley have ranked at 38 and 46 respectively out of the top 50, and for anyone who knows what’s good in KL, these two really are the best places for drinks in the city.
We’ve spoken about JungleBird extensively: In a review when they first opened and we declared it our favorite bar, to when we did a run-down of best neighborhood spots, and had to mention JB.
JungleBird specializes in rum-based cocktails, and they carry hundreds of rums. Who knew there was more than Malibu?!
Opened just last year by the incredibly talented London-born Joshua Ivanovic, he and his impeccable team put out consistently high-quality, varying cocktails that get you delightfully tipsy after one or two drinks. There are DJs playing hip hop, house, and disco throughout the week, and while you may find yourself in a sudden dance party, the music is never so loud that you can’t have a conversation. There’s also a side area that remains boogie-free for those who prefer to sit, drink and chat.
JB cares about the details, and you will always leave there with a smile on your face, and a sway in your step.
We get asked a lot for recommendations at Coconuts KL, and JungleBird is always at the top of our list. Congrats guys, no one deserves it more.
Coley is the baby CK Kho, a man whose unbelievable mixologist talents we have never forgotten after he managed to impress us with his iteration of the classic Old Fashioned a few years back.
Reader: We here at Coco KL visit bars often and regularly, and always order an Old Fashioned because it is our favorite. While there are many contenders, CK’s version is in our top five, and this is speaking volumes.
Coley, named after The Savoy Hotel’s most famous female bartender, Ada “Coley” Coleman, is a place that pays attention to the forward-thinking times we are living in: It’s a non-smoking bar. Yes. Incredible. You feel good when you’re inside, as opposed to being painfully aware that the chain-smoker next to you is shaving minutes off of your life with every puff they take.
We’ll confess – we often enjoy the occasional cig ourselves when we’re a bit tipsy: We STILL appreciate this policy. We live in a warm country – going outside is a nice break of fresh air, and you get to chat to other random smokers and make new friends. Later, you will go home smelling fresh, and not have to immediately wash your hair, clothes, and soul of the fumes. Everyone wins.
Coley has recently moved a couple of doors down from its former location at the back of Bangar’s DR.Inc café. It now sits in its own lot, right next to Baba Low’s on Jalan Bangsar (yes, there is a Baba Low there too).
The energy inside is warm, inviting, and despite the high-quality of drink being served, unpretentious.
We were just there last week, and deviated from our regular Old Fashioned to try something new on the menu. We went for the Swizzle. Isn’t it pretty (apologies for the fact it’s an Insta Story pic):
Fast-forward three drinks later, and we had inadvertently convinced half of our group to start ordering Swizzles as well, because – DAMN – they were good.
Congrats to you too, Coley.
For years we have been speaking volumes of Kuala Lumpur’s incredible nightlife, and we’re happy to see that our local talent is getting the kind of attention they deserve.
Singapore’s Manhattan got top prize, and you can check out the other winners here.
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