6 Best Bars in Malacca for Food, Music, and an Amazing Night Out
When tourists think of Malacca, they’ll most likely associate it with its historic roots and that’s totally fine! However, what these people don’t know is that this state also boasts an impressive nightlife scene like in Kuala Lumpur.
This is mostly thanks to the wide variety of bars scattered across the state that welcome anyone who’s looking for a good time. I’m no partygoer myself but I’ve been to a couple of these places and I must say, they do make me feel like I’m back in Bukit Bintang.
So whether you’re just looking to get some delicious cocktails with your friends, dance to some music or simply meet new people, I’ve got you covered! Below is a list of my favourite bars in Malacca and what I love about them, so read on!
Geographér Café
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Address: 83, Jalan Hang Jebat
Contact details: +60 6-281 6813
Operating hours:
- Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Nightlife doesn’t have to be loud and crowded, and Geographér Café is one of the best living proofs of this. This chill pub offers night owls a palace of refuge with its cosy ambience, live music, comfort food and cold drinks.
One of the reasons why it feels so welcoming and warm is that it looks like a pre-war building as opposed to your usual nightclub. Furthermore, its live acts are always something to anticipate, as they add more homey vibes to the night.
As for the drinks, you can either order cold beer, cocktails hard drinks or wine if you’re feeling a bit fancy. Furthermore, you can enjoy one of their comfort dishes to share with the entire table like their Margherita pizza.
Pro tip:
Before ending the night here, be sure to spend your day at the famous Jonker Street Walk! It’s here where you’ll find local cafes, restaurants and shops that offer great deals and Instagrammable facades.
Alto Sky Lounge
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Address: Hatten Square, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir
Contact details: +60 6-286 9696
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Located at the top of Hatten Hotel, the Alto Sky Lounge will let you bask in the stunning sights of the coastal township during your night out with your friends. There are no bad seats here, as each table provides you with unobstructed views but hey, that’s not what you came for!
Views aside, this bar is a great place to unwind without getting too rowdy—after all, it does require a smart casual dress code. Don’t fret though, as you’ll still get to order your favourite drinks and dance the night away with your friends!
One of my favourite drinks from their signature cocktails section is the Alto Twenty-Second, which consists of vodka, blue and white curacao, coconut cream and orange! We also appreciate that they offer mocktails for our non-alcoholic night owls out there.
Pro tip:
Consider coming here for dinner before dancing the night away! It offers a classy dining experience and its food menu features amazing fine dining dishes like stone-grilled Wagyu ribeye, French onion soup, grilled lamb cutlet and more.
The Old Merchant
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Address: 88, Jalan Kampung Pantai
Contact details: +60 19-627 9020
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
Touted as the first speakeasy bar in Malacca, The Old Merchant won’t get you in trouble by selling you drinks, but it WILL make you lose your perception of time. It offers cocktails that taste amazing so you’ll never really know when you’ve had too many—until you stand up!
Some of their best cocktails here are probably ones you’ve never tried like the chilli, soursop and chrysanthemum. When in doubt though, you can always count on their shots, which include Banana Liquor, Bacardi Carta and Macaron Syrup.
The bar itself is quite charming, offering a cool 1920s Chinese decor, so you can expect all your photos here to be Instaworthy. If you want the best seats in the house though, we recommend heading to their al fresco section where you’ll be overlooking the Melaka River.
Pro tip:
Make sure to follow their official Instagram account to stay updated on their latest announcements from upcoming acts and events, ongoing promos, etc.
Hard Rock Café Malacca
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Address: 28, Lorong Hang Jebat
Contact details: +60 6-292 5188
Operating hours: Daily from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Cost: $$$
Website
Menu
If you want to witness entertaining live musical acts during your night out, then Hard Rock Malacca should do you good, or any other Hard Rock for that matter. Whether you’re into alternative, modern, pop or any other type of rock, you can expect to be entertained here!
It also helps that these bars offer amazing Western food that will keep you preoccupied while you’re drinking. Some of their best offerings include french fries, big meaty cheeseburgers, steaks and our favourite, spicy chicken wings—yum!
As for drinks, you can choose between their cocktails, wines, mocktails, beers and shots. If you want something refreshing, we recommend getting their signature Hurricane cocktail, which they’ve been serving since the 1940s!
Pro tip:
Consider coming here if you’re a coffee lover! They offer different types of alcohol-infused drinks like Baileys Irish Coffee, Irish Kiss, Kahlua Coffee and more.
Sin Hiap Hin
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Address: 5, Kampung Jawa
Contact details: +60 6-292 5188
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Sin Hiap Hin isn’t really a nightlife spot but its rich cultural significance landed it a spot on this list. It’s been around for over one hundred years and it still features an old-timey vibe thanks to its retained vintage interior decor—it’s like going back in time!
You won’t find bartenders doing flashy moves here but instead, a 70-year-old granny who has mastered this drink to a tee. The bar isn’t the only thing that’s vintage here as well, as you’ll also find alcohol that isn’t sold in any stores today like Nu Er Hong, 53% Rice Wine and Kaoliang.
Trust us, you don’t want to downplay these alcoholic drinks, as they’re quite strong! So if you’re a lightweight like me, then best to tell granny in advance so she doesn’t accidentally make you a Nu Er Hong with Sour Plum and 53% Rice Wine.
Pro tip:
If you do get tipsy during your trip to Sin See Thai, you can cross the street to Sin See Tai and drink some quality coffee! Their espresso-based drinks will liven you up—plus, they offer an assortment of freshly baked pastries!
BUDI
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Address: 56, Jalan Tokong, Kampung Dua
Contact details: +60 17-718 8269
Operating hours:
- Monday and Thursday: 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Remember the Sin See Thai cafe we mentioned earlier? Well, located on its second floor is BUDI, a Malaccan-style bar that offers some of the most creative and delicious cocktails we’ve seen in the city!
They use local and sometimes bizarre ingredients to make their unique but delicious signature cocktails. One of the best examples of this is the PERIA cocktail, which features bitter gourd as its main ingredient.
Sometimes, the bar will also feature live music from local acts, from DJs to acoustic session musicians and more.
Pro tip:
If you grow hungry before or after your night out, we recommend checking out the Western joint called The Curly Tail located just across the street. It offers savoury dishes like pork jowl, ribs, and seafood like scallops and salmon.