Penang After Dark: Fun Activities to Do at Night
Nestled off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, this enchanting island invites travelers with its captivating blend of cultural diversity, historical charm, and culinary delights that come alive at night for travelers to enjoy.
There are many things to do in Penang after dark, such as trying the local street food delicacies, exploring the several night markets, strolling through George Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), experiencing the beauty of local street art, and hunting down the island’s hidden bars.
Confused about what to do during your stay? Follow our guide on the top things to do in Penang at night to make the most out of your visit.
Taste the local street food delights
One of the best ways to experience different cultures is to taste their local food. Exploring Penang’s street foods will take you on a trip to understanding their history, traditions, and way of life.
As each dish tells a different story, go ahead and try out the different local food Penang has to offer. And even better– they won’t break the bank!
Duck kway chap at Kimberly Street
Location: 135, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Everyday except Thursday – 2PM to 10PM
Directions
A must-eat for when you visit Penang, the duck kway chap has a generous array of toppings including braised egg, duck blood, duck meat, pig intestines, and pig ears!
The strong aroma might scare you away, but the delicious taste will surely make you come back to Penang for more!
Char koay kak (fried carrot cake) from Mdm Ng
Location: Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town, Penang Island
Operating Hours: Sunday-Monday 7AM until finished
Directions
This food stall has been around for around 60 years, and the owner, Mdm Ng, inherited the business from her mother.
These carrot cakes are radish cakes that are steamed first, then fried the traditional way – using charcoal and firewood!
Taste great curry mee at Hot Bowl White Curry Mee
Location: 58, Jalan Rangoon, 10400 George Town, Penang Island
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8AM-3PM
Directions
Stroll through Rangoon Road and discover this famous curry mee shop. They make it with, guess what? Coagulated pig’s blood! This dish is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Local Tip:
- Top the curry mee with chili paste if you want to take a walk on the wild side!
Spoil yourself with laksa from Penang Road Famous Laksa
Location: 5, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Sunday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 9AM-5:30PM
Directions
Try one of the best laksa in town at Penang Road Famous Laksa. Instead of using mackerel for their fish broth, this place prepares the laksa with sardine and big-eye kingfish.
It comes with a spoonful of shrimp paste, which will definitely bring out the flavors even more!
Taste the best rojak from Hock Seng Rojak
Location: Gat Lebuh Cecil, 10300 George Town, Penang Island
Operating Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 4PM to 8PM
Directions
This rojak place has been around for 40 years, and the secret to their success that makes customers keep coming back? Their thick homemade sauce topped with peanuts and dried shrimp!
Explore Penang’s night markets
Go on a journey through Penang’s night markets and step into a vibrant world of sights, sounds, and flavors of Malaysia.
It’s definitely worth a visit if you want to experience Penang’s culture first-hand through their food, items, and more! Not to mention it’s also one of the best ways to explore and have a good time!
Here are some of the best must-see night markets in Penang.
Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Location: Along Jalan Batu Ferringhi, from Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa to Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Resort
Operating Hours: Everyday 7PM-12AM
Directions
The Batu Ferringhi Night Market stretches over 1 kilometer, and it is a surefire way for you to enjoy the nightlife.
It’s a place for you to buy cheap accessories such as clothes, bags, jewelry and more.
Local Tip:
- Don’t forget to try the durian, mangosteens, and seafood! They’re worth every penny!
Macallum Street Night Market
Location: Lintang Macallum 1, Pengkalan Weld, Georgetown
Operating Hours: Monday 7PM-11PM
Directions
The Macallum night market is also a great place to find knick-knacks at affordable prices such as t-shirts, wallets, tables, and mats.
Aside from that, you can also buy exotic fruits here such as mangosteens and durians as well.
Local Tip:
- Taste the deep-fried duck meat and chicken roast sold in food stalls– it will surely cure a hungry tummy!
Jelutong Night Market
Location: Jalan Van Praagh, Jelutong, 11600
Operating Hours: Friday 7PM-11PM
Directions
The Jelutong Night Market is known for its wide array of delicious local delicacies such as curry fish ball, durians, chocolate cakes, fried dumplings and dim-sum assorted dumplings.
You can even find knock offs or counter-branded clothes in this night market! What a sweet deal!
Local Tip:
- Try the yong tau foo, roast pork, and prawn crackers sold along the Jelutong road. You won’t regret it!
Stroll through the historical George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
George Town is brimming with history and should definitely be on top of your bucket list!
You can admire the beautiful architecture of the over 12,000 old buildings in this city that is heavily influenced by European aesthetics in every corner.
It was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
Explore the Enchanting Temples
Penang Snake Temple
Location: Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Operating Hours: Everyday 6AM-7PM
Directions
This peculiar temple in Penang is home to various snakes! But don’t worry, they’re not dangerous!
The snakes moved in after Chor Soo Kong, a Buddhist priest and healer, gave them shelter while the temple was being constructed. Most of the snakes living there are transparent tanks and are defanged, so don’t worry about being poisoned when bitten!
Local Tip:
- For a small fee you can have the chance to get up close and personal with the snakes at the small exhibition next door to take photographs!
- Entrance to the snake farm costs MYR5 for adults and MYR3 for kids.
Kek Lok Si Temple
Location: Air Itam, George Town
Operating Hours: 8:30PM-5:30PM
Directions
The Kek Lok Si temple is the biggest temple in Malaysia and is called the “Temple of Supreme Bliss” and is famous for its 12 animal statues that represent the Chinese zodiac.
Built by immigrant Chinese Buddhist Beow Lean, it is divided into three sections: temple grounds, mid section, and the hilltop.
You can find food and beverage stalls, souvenir shops, and the turtle Liberation Pond in the temple ground section.
The mid section comprises the temples and gardens, along with th pagod and the four heavenly kings pavilion.
Meanwhile the gargantuan statue of Kuan Yin is located in the hilltop section.
Local Tip:
- You can make a wish at the wishing tree! All you have to do is purchase a ribbon where you will write down your wish and toss it up the tree.
Kuan Yin Temple
Location: 30, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating Hours: 5AM-6PM
Directions
The Kuan Yin Temple is a two-story temple that has been around since 1928 and built by early immigrants from China. It is also known as the Goddess of Mercy Temple Penang, in honor of Kuan Yin, the Chinese goddess.
It is famous for its classic Chinese architecture, with images of dragons carved into the temple’s stone pillars, ceilings, and roofs.
Local Tip:
- Make sure to visit the temple’s inner prayer chamber! There you’ll find an 18-arm statue of Kuan Yin.
Discover street art and murals that come to life under night lights
Art comes alive in Penang where artists create an outdoor gallery using the city as their canvas.
The island’s street art is a testament to the local’s creativity and passion. Each mural tells a story that celebrates Penang’s rich and diverse culture. Let’s go on a walk and marvel at the beauty of each art piece!
Little Children On a Bicycle
Location: 2, Lebuh Armenian
Made by artist Ernest Zacharevic in 2012, this piece of art called “Little Children on a Bicycle” keeps luring tourists in with its beauty.
It was completed for the George Town Festival, and used real kids who were at the event as the inspiration for the piece.
Old Soy Milk Stall
Location: 63, Gat Lebuh Chulia
This sweet mural of an old lady serving soy milk in a stall is definitely worth a peek. It was made as a collaboration among St. Xavier’s Institution, Homesoy, and Vilmedia.
Who knew it was an ad for soy milk?
Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat
Location: 28, Gat Lebuh Armenian
This adorable mural hides a heartwarming tale. The street artists of Penang joined forces for the 101 Lost Kittens Project, an initiative for rehoming stray cats and other animals.
It’s one of the 12-piece cat-themed murals along George Town.
I Want Bao
Location: 28, Gat Lebuh Armenian
This funny mural was created by street artist WK Setor and shows two children reaching their hands out for bao buns.
It’s a clever piece of ad commissioned by Ming Xiang Tai Pastry Shop located beside it.
It certainly made me crave bao!
Enjoy nightlife at Penang’s hidden bars
What better way to end the night than with a cold drink?
Hidden bars are scattered along Penang, tucked away and ready to be discovered. Here are some of the ones we found that are worth a visit.
Magazine 63
Location: 63, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 7PM-12AM
Directions
Magazine 63 bar is one of the very first speakeasies built in Penang, and was certainly one of the first ones to join the hidden bar trend in the island.
It has a chill ambiance steeped in traditional Chinese inn elegance. They serve modern cocktails and other drinks, with live performances greeting you on the floating stage.
Local Tip:
- Hidden among a row of mundane-looking shops, you can find this hidden gem by looking for a large wooden door and hope it opens!
Backdoor Bodega
Location: 37, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Thursday-Monday 8PM-12AM
Directions
This unique bar’s main item for sale is a colorful clothing pin that you can swap for a drink! It’s precisely why this bodega-style bar is called an “overpriced pin shop.” *wink*
Recently listed as one of the top 100 bars in Asia, this place is definitely worth a visit!
Manchu Bar
Location: 38 & 40, Jalan Pintal Tali, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 4PM-12AM’
Directions
Manchu Bar’s Qing Dynasty motif will surely give you classic Chinese-style vibes and aesthetics.
Littered with small stone statues, Chinese writing, and ornate arches, this hidden bar also features live Chinese opera performances that will make you gasp!
Aside from their wide array of delicious drinks, there’s also a wide variety of food and snacks to munch on.
Local Tip:
- At the address but having trouble finding it? Look for a set of red curtains, and behind that door, viola! You’re in!