Asia Travel Guide

Most bars are open from noon until midnight. The music played at clubs is mostly US house and the lighter styles of techno. Entrance charges of around RM20 include one drink. The best place to see traditional theatre and music is at the Malaysian Tourist Information Complex (MATIC), 109 Jl Ampang (tel 03/243 4929), which does costumed shows (Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun at 3.30pm; RM2).

Bars and live music
Barn Thai , 370b Jl Tun Razak (tel 03/244 6699). Spicy Thai food followed by some of the best live jazz that KL offers. Bull’s Head , Central Market, Jl Benteng. A very busy bar, popular with expats, tourists and business people alike. Closes at midnight.

La Chiva , 1b Jl Utara. If you’re into lively South American and Caribbean music, this is the top dance spot in KL. Also serves salsa-type food.

Echo , Jl Telawi 2, Bangsar. Neon, quite minimal, but with comfortable sofas, this is a great bar for mid-evening through to the early hours. Local DJs provide a hopping soundtrack with jazz earlier and house music later on.

Hard Rock Café , Concorde Hotel, 2 Jl Sultan Ismail. Features well-known rock bands and gets packed on Friday and Saturday nights - cover charge if not eating. Open 11am-midnight.

Riverbank , Central Market, Jl Benteng. Well-placed bar, opposite the river; occasional music.

Clubs
Backroom , Lorong Shangri-La, behind the Shangri La Hotel, Golden Triangle. Although a poor venue, international DJs play house, techno and drum ‘n bass here to a packed mixed bohemian crowd. Thurs-Sat 10pm-6am. Baze-2 , Yow Chuan Plaza, Jl Tun Razak. Happening club frequented by KL’s well-heeled youth; soul, reggae and funk played. Open 9pm-3am.

Blue Moon , Hotel Equatorial, Jl Sultan Ismail (opposite the MAS Building). Popular with KL’s gay crowd, the only place where you’ll hear Malaysian golden oldies from the 1950s, French schmaltz and the golden-voiced P Ramlee. Open 7pm-midnight.

Boom Boom Room , 11 Lebuh Ampang. Another gay hangout, where thumping house music and a twice-nightly drag show create a winning combination. Probably KL’s most popular mainstream night club. Daily 8pm-3am.

Liquid , Central Market annexe. With its young, gay and friendly weekend crowd, this superb, small atmospheric club is a must for house music fans in town. Open Fri & Sat 10pm-3am.