Bar Trigona

Bar Trigona sits on the lobby level of the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur at 145 Jalan Ampang and builds its program around Trigona honey, harvested by Malaysian stingless bees. The bar debuted on Asia's 50 Best Bars at number 40 in 2019 and has held a place on the list every year since.

Head bartender Rohan Matmary works directly with Malaysian farmers, and the bar took the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award at Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020. Proceeds from its Colour Me Curious menu fund bee habitat restoration, per the 50 Best profile.

Who would hate it? Anyone allergic to hotel pricing. Cocktails start around RM60, and the room expects a little polish.

Google reviewers describe the back lit counter as a real showpiece, almost like a crystal cave, with lighting that resembles floating yo yos. Sunset is the seat to book; the view down Jalan Ampang glows gold before the towers light up.

The Trigona Honey Flight runs three classics on the namesake honey and works as the bar's calling card. The Trigona Old Fashioned folds bourbon, honey, and cedarwood bitters and arrives with licorice root and honeycomb, per Eat Drink KL.

Know that the Wagyu, a cognac build washed with A5 beef tallow, divides tables by design. The zero waste instincts run through the whole list.

Fifty Best pilgrims, hotel guests, and KL's cocktail crowd share the lounge, and the room reads elegant but easy. Google reviewers call it cosiest at sunset, when the city views glow golden.

What regulars say:

• Every drink feels like a little adventure, built on local ingredients and cool twists, per Google Maps reviews.
• Bartenders know their stuff and pick well off a single preference, per Google Maps reviews.
• Wild n Free Diary calls the quality worth it but flags cocktails starting around RM60.
• The house honey wine drew one of the best wines I have ever tasted from a Google reviewer.

Who it is for:

• A first night in KL that needs a sure thing
• Drinkers collecting Asia's 50 Best stamps
• Avoid if you want a dive; Taps Beer Bar pours the casual kind

The safest great cocktail in Kuala Lumpur and the only one with its own beehives. Book sunset and start with the flight.

Getting there: Lobby level of the Four Seasons, 145 Jalan Ampang; KLCC LRT sits five minutes away on the Kelana Jaya line.

Timing: Open 5pm to 1am daily; sunset seats go first.

Cost: Cocktails from about RM45 to RM60 plus service; the honey flight prices as a tasting.