Here Are The Best Bars In Kuala Lumpur, According To The Bar Awards

Here Are The Best Bars In Kuala Lumpur, According To The Bar Awards - Raise your glass to Coley! This charming, unassuming little cocktail bar in Bangsar has been voted the Best Cocktail Bar in Kuala Lumpur!

Coley also won for Best Hospitality Team at the inaugural Bar Awards at White Box, Publika on Oct 22. That’s not all – Coley and Pahit Bar co-founder Chee Kheong “CK” Kho was voted Bartender Of The Year.

Held in KL for the first time, The Bar Awards focuses solely on the bar and beverage scene.

Unlike other ceremonies in Malaysia, which tend to be popularity contests voted by the public, The Bar Awards winners were chosen by a panel of 39 professionals from the Malaysian F&B industry including bartenders, bar owners, restaurateurs, distributors, and members of the media.

In short, folks who know the industry well enough to pick the ones who truly deserve the accolades. Meanwhile, the other three outlets aiming for the Best Cocktail Bar title were no pushovers either, winning in other categories at the awards.

Innovative rum/tiki bar JungleBird was voted Best New Cocktail Bar, local cocktail bar pioneers Omakase + Appreciate won Most Creative Cocktail Bar, and PS150’s Angel Ng won the Ada Coleman Award, which recognises the achievements of female professionals in the industry.

There was a revolution in the Best Beer Bar category … a craft beer revolution, to be exact.

Craft beer specialists Taps Beer Bar won the title, finally getting the recognition they deserve for helping to build the craft beer market in Malaysia. The Great Beer Bar and Ales & Lagers – two craft beer bars that have been equally instrumental in building the local interest in craft beers – were also in the Top 4, along with popular pub chain Sid’s Pubs.

HYDE at 53M’s Jason Julian won the Rising Star award, given to up and coming young bartenders (aged 28 and below).

In the food-related awards, Mr. Chew’s Chino Latino Bar won the Best Restaurant Bar, while Fuego was voted Best Culinary Team.

The Bar Awards KL 2017 Winners

Best Cocktail Bar: Coley

Best Beer Bar: Taps Beer Bar (Changkat)

Best Restaurant Bar: Mr Chew’s Chino Latino Bar

Most Creative Cocktail Bar: Omakase & Appreciate

Best New Cocktail Bar: Junglebird

Bartender of the Year: Chee Kheong “CK” Kho (Coley & Pahit)

The Rising Star: Jason Julian (Hyde At 53)

The Ada Coleman Award: Angel Ng (PS150)

Best Culinary Team: Fuego, Troika Sky Dining

Best Hospitality Team: Coley