Go On A Hunt For These 7 Unique Speakeasy Bars When You’re In Georgetown!
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Penang as we know it is a bustling hub of good food and cultural events, but they’re also known for their vibrant nightlife scene. Frequent visitors of Georgetown, Penang are surely no strangers to the various speakeasies and hidden bars scattered across the beautiful heritage city. Read on for our top hidden bar picks and go on an adventure as you hunt down each one for the complete pub crawl experience.
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#KlookTip: Make your bar hunting experience even easier by booking a hidden bar hopping activity through Klook, which includes round-trip transfers from your hotel to 3 selected hidden bars, bar games and welcome drinks.
CMCO Update: Due to the enforcement of the CMCO in Malaysia, some bars on this list may be temporarily closed or have changes in their opening hours. Do check the official websites or social media of the bars for the latest information!
1. 天下第一客棧 Magazine 63
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One of the first speakeasies to have sparked Penang’s hidden bar trend, Magazine 63 remains till date one of the most popular spots in town. The bar is hidden amidst a row of shophouses on Jalan Magazine, disguised as a run-down lot with no obvious signages. The entrance is entirely nondescript and you’ll only find your way in by pushing open a large wooden door at the front.
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Immerse yourself in Chinese Old World vibes with the bar’s era-appropriate decor and servers dressed in traditional costume. A floating stage overlooks the main bar area for live performances and house music pumps steadily throughout the space. Their drink choices aren’t extensive, but their innovative mixes are fun to try out, especially when they come in ceramic bowls for you to directly drink from.
- Address: 63, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Must-Tries: Not Shootable, Cocktail Beer
Explore other fun activities to do in Penang at night:
2. Backdoor Bodega
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Backdoor Bodega is a hidden gem in the Hin Bus Depot that you wouldn’t want to miss while bar-hopping. Follow the hidden clue in their name and locate an unmarked door tucked away at the back of Good Friends Club (another must-try!). To top it off, the bar even follows the traditional speakeasy way of hiding the fact that they sell booze, by selling pins instead. Known as an ‘overpriced pin shop’, you’re required to buy their pins and exchange them for your drinks here.
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This super elusive speakeasy is an orange-lit and homely spot that operates with style and attitude. Though the space inside isn't large, its laid-back vibes provide the perfect place for you and your friends to chill and mingle around, while trying out their experimentative range of creative cocktails stirred up with a local twist.
- Address: 37, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Must-Tries: Kelapa Hotak, Burung Hutan Hitam
3. Out of Nowhere
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By day, this place is a minimalist cafe called the Hold Up!, but by night, the back area turns into a quirky hidden bar. An innocent-looking orange refrigerator in the cafe opens up to reveal the secret entrance into the bar area - pretty much a real-life Narnia for booze lovers.
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Inside, you’ll find a dim-lit room decorated with trees and minimalistic decor. Experienced bartenders stand behind the bar, whipping up custom cocktails with intriguing mixes that you should definitely try if your tastebuds are up for a little adventure.
- Address: 73, Jalan Kuala Kangsar, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Must-Tries: Thorn to Be Wild, Into The Bahulu
Visit Out of Nowhere and two other selected hidden bars through Klook’s hidden bar hopping experience! Inclusive of roundtrip transfers and welcome drinks.
4. Manchu Bar
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Fans of the culture and architecture of the old Qing dynasty era would appreciate Manchu Bar. A warmly lit entryway of a storefront decorated with Chinese writing and small stone statues is what you should look for. Once there, find your way through the heavy red curtains on the right and push open the unassuming heavy timber door right behind to enter the speakeasy. The moment you step in, you’d feel as if you were entering a completely different era from where you came from.
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Inspired by the Manchu of Northeastern China, the bar is decked out in timeless interior decor and touches of oriental architecture reminiscent of Manchurian culture. Pick your poison from their inventive menu and be prepared to be served by traditionally-clothed staff at the bar. Manchu Bar’s nightly entertainment is a live band that performs both classic and modern songs, but if you’re lucky, you can even catch their specialty performance - the Chinese Opera.
- Address: 38 & 40, Jalan Pintal Tali, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Must-Tries: Five Omakase cocktails, Yuzu Whiskey Sour
5. Beso Rosado by ChinChin
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Level up your hidden bar experience with Beso Rosado, a speakeasy bar that chose a fancier approach, with the styling of its interior different from the others on this list. Originally known as Golden Shower, the place has replaced its original gold bathroom storefront with a graffiti-covered alleyway that now leads you into the actual bar - an upscale Wes Anderson-esque dining spot with elegant pink, white and gold interior.
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Right in the middle of the bright pink room is a long oval island flanked by plush golden bar stools, where you can order your drinks. There are also group seating options available at the back of Beso Rosado. The bar serves a quirky and playful cocktail menu, but also offers fine Spanish dining with an open kitchen concept. Get your money’s worth by snapping up a couple of IG-worthy shots as well in this elegantly designed bar.
- Address: 86, Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Must-Tries: Tokyo Sour, Golden Desire
Enjoy 10% off the set menu for 2 at Beso Rosado if you book through Klook!
6. 12 Senses
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Another Old China-inspired speakeasy in Penang is 12 Senses, which has one of the toughest entrances to figure out. Tucked away on a side street, enter into the shopfront’s slightly ajar door and find yourself in a cosy little anteroom with a Bruce Lee painting on the wall. Under it is a wing chun dummy placed next to a door that is seemingly locked shut, but just keep pushing the levers on the dummy until you find the right one which slides the door open.
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Right inside, you enter a dimly lit bar, glowing in changing hues of blues, greens and purples. East meets West here as the interior brings you back in time, as if you were in a classic China bar in the 60s that is mixed with Western decor influences. A small stage is set in the middle for you to enjoy their live band performances while you sip on your drinks. The main highlight of this speakeasy is the main bar area, with the elegant wooden bar and an ornate painting of a gorgeous Chinese opera lady.
- Address: 12, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Must-Tries: Jungle Bird, Black Diamond
7. Song 宋 Bar
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Though not exactly a hidden bar, Song is another one that we felt was worth the mention. This drinking establishment occupies a white two-storey building opposite of the famous KOMTAR. It maintains its oriental vibe with Chinese decor elements and symbolism throughout the place, but you can head over here if you prefer your bars a little more simple and toned down on the flashy interior.
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Their dark wood furnishings and display of muted lighting gives the room a warmth that feels perfect for that speakeasy-style setting. The bar focuses on authentic Chinese cuisine and charming cocktails that are a nod to classic Chinese diners. With a live band playing classic tunes in the background, the bar provides just the right ambiance for lounging and catching up with friends over a mug of beer.
- Address: 268, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Discover more fun things you can do in Penang:
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