Best Pubs in PJ

Standing in the heart of Damansara Utama, The Great Beer Bar isn’t kidding with its name as what lies beyond this cafe-like façade would have beer lovers weak at their knees. An unrivalled selection of tap beers and bottles of international beers is up for grabs. On the interior end, exposed filament bulbs and wood-themed decorations make up a cosy ambience, also with the help of fellow beer buffs, it turns convivial. If you’re looking to while away the afternoon time, the kitchen also dishes out a number of delectable dishes like Spicy BBQ Sakura pork ribs and baked prawns, to name a few. Crack up some real conversations and chug down some cold beers.

Spanning more than 17 years, The Merchant Pub at Hotel Armada is a stalwart in the pub scene. Holding onto a strong reputation, they certainly deliver on all accounts: a commodious space spruced up with sleek decor and furniture, a wide selection of libations, smooth jazz music playing in the background and pleasant service. Variety of cigar is also on hand to complete your experience, and if your stomach starts to growl, fret not, mouth-watering selection of snacks and pizzas with local flavour influences is always on cards. On top of that, their outdoor seating space “The Balcony” opens up to spectacular views of PJ skyline. Enough said. 

If you have a serious cray for Japanese cocktails, The Bar Kinugawa is the place to be. Another reason they make a cut is the moodily-lit interior that transports you to Japan at once. Nab a table close to the polished wooden counter and watch the spiffy dressed bartenders consummately conjure amazing cocktail combinations. Among the best sellers are Moscow Mule – mixture of vodka, homemade ginger ale and lime, Grasshopper – mint liqueur, white cacao and cream, and Sake Nashi – an inspiring concoction of junmai sake, pear juice, lemon, olive oil and blue curacao. To complement your cocktails, the bar also serves an array of canapes which are smoked over wood fire for hours – octopus, cream cheese, edamame, oysters, scallops and fish roe.

A laundry that washes away all sorts of stress and worries upon stepping in. Your welcoming reward would be decors and furniture with a variety of shades and sizes that guarantee to be an Instagram hit. Done taking in the beauty, rub shoulders with revellers from far and wide, grooving to bass and beats of extensive music genres and chug down a range of beers and boozes that does not put a hole in your wallet. Hold on, you have additional reasons to visit, regular gigs commonly take centre stage for live music. Speaking of pumping nightlife, The Laundry Bar has it all. 

If music is an escape from all hassle of life, then Rock and Roll is certainly a forefather to this statement. Having said that, the best bet to experience hard-hitting music and a wide selection of beers in PJ got to be Online Bar. Apart from beers, this place also prides for pouring the best Guinness pint. Interior-wise, the space is embellished with music posters, neon signs, dart boards, a pool table which is always engaged and a band space for gigs to amp up the atmosphere with live music. Need not rack your brains where to head over if you’re hungry as the kitchen churns out dishes like pork vindaloo, hokkien mee and wild boar curry! How not to love the marriage of well-spiced dishes and cold beers? 

Play Club at The Roof Nightclub is one of the hottest ticket in town for well-heeled partygoers. The full of life atmosphere with catchy visuals, booming music, dance floor that accommodates up to 700 people and above all, bouncing crowd will have you at hello. A vast selection of international beers and liquors will help you be on par with the whole pumping scene. Looking for a little respite to have some casual conversation with your friends, head over to Signature or Stratosphere, other outlets under The Roof where bartenders are on toes, preparing cocktails that are nothing but spectacular. Big fan of cigar and whiskey? Malt & Leaf is where you should be. 

With a catchy name and loyal following of its own, Heaven N Hells has been one of favourite drinking holes out there. What they lack in space, they make up with a solid selection of boozes, banging playlists of retro classics and the blues, and live bands that further lift up the cheery vibes. Either you sit at the edge of the stage to take full advantage of the high-quality speakers, or closer to the floor-to-window glass entrance to watch the world go by, you’re sure in for a glorious nightlife. Swing by their Facebook page to catch a glimpse of the scene. 

Waikiki Bar has been a sleeper hit among the locals and tourists alike. Staying true to the name, the communal space is adorned with a clever mix of straw-thatched roof, bar with bamboo walls and rattan high chairs sitting below a roof of fairy lights placed on palm trees. Just like any good watering hole out there, a sheer variety of beers and liquors are available but their mixologists behind the busy bar also churn out splendid cocktails, Waikiki Breeze – a concoction of vodka, coconut milk, blue Curacao being the top seller. Aside from the live band, sport screening is also available. 

The name of the joint sums up the whole plot – old is gold! If you are looking to wander away from hipster music and backdrop, you’re in safe hands as this perennial favourite watering hole offers famous 80’s music and gets everything right tipple-wise too. The ceiling is also draped with clusters of mini bulbs, forming an asterism-like decor which does look good on Instagram too. There are also a couple of classic pub fares to put your hunger at bay to ensure you stay focused on music and put up some grooves. 

How about a platter of shucked oysters to go along your tequila shots? Or large pizzas filled to brim with toppings to complement your cold beer? Salivating already? Make your way to Movida, a renowned bar that has been reaping up positive reviews from partygoers all over. Apart from the extensive menu, the DJ in charge spins a variety of music genres to keep you fully charged. If you and your entire entourage are looking to splurge a little more, there are two VIP sections up for grabs. If you’re not in the mood to keep your circle small, hobnob with friends that you have not met before.