Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week descends on the Malaysian capital this coming April for its second edition for a week-long cocktail fiesta like no other.
Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW) will be shaking Kuala Lumpur up yet again with the arrival of its highly anticipated 2025 edition next month. Happening from 22 to 27 April, the festival – now in its second year – is back bigger, bolder, and boozier, and looks set to cement Kuala Lumpur’s position as one of Asia’s most exhilarating cocktail destinations.
With over 27 world-class bars participating – along with an immersive Festival Village, scintillating guest shifts from international bartenders, as well as industry-focused seminars – Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week 2025 is fully set to invigorate Kuala Lumpur’s cocktail scene in April.
For one entire week, Kuala Lumpur’s most exciting bars will be designated into five buzzing cocktail zones — Bangsar, Petaling Jaya/Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Damansara Heights, Chinatown, and Kuala Lumpur City Centre — with each zone hosting exclusive guest shifts, collaborations, and one-night-only experiences, allowing visitors to explore the city through its vibrant cocktail culture.
Elevating Kuala Lumpur’s cocktail scene
No cocktail festival is complete without the participation of the city’s own best bars. KLCW will see Kuala Lumpur’s award-winning bars such as Bar Trigona, JungleBird, Penrose, Reka, Pahit, among many others come together to present exclusive cocktail menus, limited-time drinks, and special collaborations. Each bar will be hosting guest shifts, pairing events, and exclusive KLCW cocktails, making this the perfect time to explore KL’s cocktail scene like never before.
Speaking of guest shifts. Cocktail enthusiasts can expect a slew of top-tier bartenders flying in from around the world who will be stepping behind the bar at these cocktail venues to introduce their own signature drinks and showcase their unique approach to mixology.
Among the biggest international names joining Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week 2025 include:
- Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, No. 1 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024)
- Bar Leone (Hong Kong, No.2 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024)
- Jigger & Pony (Singapore, ranked No. 3 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024)
- BKK Social Club (Bangkok, listed on No.7 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024)
- Vender Bar (Taipei, named ‘Best Bar in Taiwan’ in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024)
Other participating international bars worthy of note include Hong Kong’s Argo; Bangkok’s Firefly, Mahaniyom and Bar Sathorn; Offtrack and Night Hawk from Singapore, Jakarta’s ModernHaus, Le Chamber from Seoul, and Kyoto’s Bee’s Knees, making this a truly strong representation of Asia cocktail culture. Then there’s also Malaysian bar takeover by Penang’s Good Friend’s Club and No Bar Here, Haiiro Usagi from Johor Bahru, as well as Budi in Malacca for a local flavour.
New for Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week will be a series of cocktail pairing dinners at some of Kuala Lumpur’s finest restaurants, where top chefs and bartenders collaborate to craft food and drink pairings that push the boundaries of flavour. Epicureans can expect exciting collaborations at the likes of Akâr, Barkar, Beta, Bistro Lea, Chipta, ESCA, Fifty Tales, Ignis, Jwala, Jus, Okaju, Upperhouse, and Yellow Fin Horse at RAW.
Then there’s the educational component. Beyond the partying, KLCW 2025 is also committed to supporting and growing the bar industry in Malaysia. In collaboration with Bar Convent Singapore, the festival will host a series of industry-focused talks and workshops, featuring some of the top names in hospitality such as Hadrien Moudoulaud of Bar Nouveau from Paris who will be sharing about olfactory mixology, while Philip Bischoff of BKK Social Club will touch on the art of hospitality.
KLCW Festival Village: A grand celebration of all things cocktail
As for the climax of Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week 2025? You’ll want to head up to Sentul Depot in the north of the Malaysian capital for the KLCW Festival Village where cocktail culture meets celebration.
Happening on Saturday 26 April 2025 from 2.30pm to 11.30pm, this day-to-night affair will be a grand celebration of all things cocktails, featuring some of the biggest names in the industry, pop-up bars, exclusive drinks, hands-on experiences, live music, and interactive pop-ups from major spirits brands.
“We are really excited to be involved in KLCW this year with Roku Gin, putting together the best of craft and gin artistry and highlighting Roku Gin’s brand idea of ‘Shun’, celebrating peak of season,” says Leanne Kee, Suntory’s Senior Brand Manager for SEA.
“As the No.1 premium Japanese craft gin in Malaysia, we have a growing base of gin enthusiasts in Kuala Lumpur. KLCW is an excellent platform for Roku Gin to offer shared experiences and is a great way for the community to come together and experience the versatility of what a premium Japanese craft gin can offer,” she added.
KLCW 2025: Putting Kuala Lumpur on the global cocktail map
With Kuala Lumpur’s cocktail culture evolved rapidly over the past few years, a showcase event like Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week is only going to reinforce the city’s growing reputation as a world-class cocktail city.
Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur, an industry professional, or just someone who loves a good drink, KLCW 2025 promises to be an unforgettable week of fine drinks, fantastic experiences, and the best bartending talent from across the globe.
For further information and to secure your tickets, visit Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week’s Instagram page @klcwofficial.
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