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Kuala Lumpur Nightlife

KL's lively night scene can cater to any taste or fancy, be it a classical concert or all-night DJ set. While Malaysia may be a Muslim country, alcohol is freely available and many places offer happy hours. City slickers congregate in the glamorous addresses of KLCC, where some of finest see-and-be-seen bars enjoy elevated positions atop skyscrapers to provide fabulous vistas. The area around Changkat Bukit Bintang heaves with Western-style bars and pubs that attract a young, party-hard crowd, and the up-and-coming suburb of Bangsar, just south of the centre, promises a more relaxed vibe with cocktail bars and late-night speakeasies.

The website for Vision KL Magazine (www.visionkl.com) and Time Out (www.timeoutkl.com) are both packed with up-to-date nightlife listings.

Bars in Kuala Lumpur

Barlai

Attracting the cool brigade, this retro-themed cocktail bar is hidden away behind a nondescript entrance of an old townhouse. Inside, seating comes in the form of wooden picnic tables set amid peeling walls, bamboo blinds and exposed bulbs. Expect heady drinks imbued with local ingredients such as lemongrass G&Ts and Pina Coladas made with pandan syrup.

Address: Bukit Bintang, 3 Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Kuala Lumpur, 50150 
Telephone: +60 3 2141 7850
Website: http://www.thebiggroup.co/barlai

Heli Lounge

This daytime helicopter pad on the 34th floor of the Menara KH Building transforms at nightfall into a sky-high rooftop bar offering potent cocktails and heart-pulsing views of the glimmering cityscape below. Come early to watch the sunset before the night hots up with DJ sets and open-air dancing.

Address: Bukit Bintang, 34th Floor, Menara KH, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 50450
Telephone: +60 3 2110 5034
Website: http://www.facebook.com/Heliloungebar

Sky Bar

On the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel, adjacent to the KLCC complex, Sky Bar is a prime hangout for the 'smart' set, which means you should dress to impress. Tables are arranged around a stylish swimming pool on the rooftop (care is required to avoid an unwanted soaking), with spectacular views of the Twin Towers.

Address: KLCC, Level 33, Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, 50088
Telephone: +60 3 2332 9888
Website: http://www.skybar.com.my

Clubs in Kuala Lumpur

Play Club

It's worth the taxi ride to The Roof, a multi-space venue in Petaling Jaya that's home to the much-touted Play Club. Trendsetters love this rooftop establishment for its industrial-themed interiors, all exposed pipes and neon lighting, while its state-of-the-art stage, sound and visuals host a steady stream of international acts.

Address: Petaling Jaya, Sky level, First Avenue, Bandar Utama, Kuala Lumpur, 47800
Telephone: +60 3 8605 3388
Website: http://www.theroof.com.my/play-club

Providence

Dress to impress for an exclusive night at Providence, a more intimate alternative to KL's super-club scene. The luxurious venue boasts a banging sound system and an impressive set of light fixtures that shine down on dancers as they shimmy to R&B, hip-hop and electro beats.

Address: , The Intermark Mall, 182 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, 50400
Telephone: +60 3 2166 8170

Zouk

Reopened in 2015, the revamped and relocated Zouk has quickly established itself as KL's most revered club with its all-night partying and roster of top local and international DJs. Revelry plays out across 11 rooms spanning 60,000 square feet and each has its own decadent style and music theme. There's also a VIP lounge and snazzy rooftop deck.

Address: , 436 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, 50400
Telephone: +60 3 2110 3888
Website: http://www.zoukclub.com.my

Live music in Kuala Lumpur

Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

Amazing acoustics define the Philharmonic Hall, Malaysia's first dedicated concert space for classical music that was inaugurated in 1998. The 865-seat venue, located in the Petronas Twin Tower complex, is home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra but also hosts many other classical concerts and musicians.

Address: KLCC, Tower Two, Petronas Twin Tower, Jalang Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50088
Telephone: +60 3 2331 7008
Website: http://www.mpo.com.my

KL-Live

A welcome addition to KL's live music scene, this trendy entertainment hub stages live rock and pop concerts, with internationally renowned acts regularly topping the line-up bill. There are two licensed bars spread across two floors where, as well as musical performances, regular comedy acts and DJ sets play out.

Address: , 1st Floor, Life Centre, 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 50250
Telephone: +60 3 2162 2570
Website: http://www.kl-live.com.my

No Black Tie

Offering authentic Japanese food and authentic live jazz, No Black Tie is the perfect gastro-bar for an intimate evening of easy listening. Its small, but a sleek wood and glass interior creates an atmospheric backdrop for local and international names performing to an unpretentious, music-loving crowd.

Address: Bukit Bintang, 17 Jalan Mesul, off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur, 50200
Telephone: +60 3 2142 3737
Website: http://www.noblacktie.com.my

Classical music in Kuala Lumpur

Dance in Kuala Lumpur

Theatres in Kuala Lumpur

Music and Dance in Kuala Lumpur

Culture in Kuala Lumpur

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Tune Hotel

Taking the budget airline concept and applying it to hotel rooms, the brightly-coloured Tune Hotel offers limited service at low cost. Its tidy and compact singles, doubles and twins are good value but add a surcharge for air-con, Internet access and other extras. The flagship hotel is located downtown, a short stroll from Medan Tuanku Monorail station, but a new sister establishment has opened in Jalan Putra.

Hotel Capitol

Regular promotions and online booking deals bring down prices at this towering business-type hotel set in the midst of the Golden Triangle. Rooms are neat and functional rather than opulent, but the staff are friendly and the location is excellent, with the Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping strip right on your doorstep. Guest have access to an upscale restaurant, a kitchen-bar and 24hr concierge service.

Sarang Mas

This homely bed and breakfast set in a 1920s brick-built house offers rooms with simple furnishings along with communal lounge areas, and suits both families and single travellers. There's relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that feels far-removed from the business hotels of KLC, and the owners also have various other options, including apartments and single rooms, in six other locations across the city.

Traders Hotel

Firmly targeting the business traveller, Traders Hotel offers a location and amenities associated with the top Kuala Lumpur hotels but its prices are easier on the pocket. Rooms are modern and smartly decorated, and service is friendly and efficient. A bonus of staying here is having immediate access to the rooftop Sky Bar, an in-demand address thanks to its epic views of the Twin Towers.

Metro 360

Located in a bustling part of the Golden Triangle, Metro 360 offers tasteful, air-conditioned rooms across 22 floors of a tower block. Guests can make use of all-day dining options, free Wi-Fi, a pool and a gym, as well as shuttle buses to KLCC and Sentral Station. Visitors hoping to explore KL's shopping scene will appreciate the hotel's location nearby the Pavilion, Starhill and Lot 10 shopping malls.

Villa Samadhi

Set behind bamboo-clad gates in the leafy embassy district, this intimate hideaway is one of the city's finest boutique offerings. The 21 rooms and suites are wonderfully spacious and decorated in exotic artefacts collected from across Asia. Guests can enjoy private hot tubs and romantic balconies that overlook a tear-shaped pool surrounded by cabanas and tropical foliage. The restaurant serves all-day dishes and an indulgent breakfast come daybreak.