Penrose

Penrose sits behind an unmarked frontage at 149 Jalan Petaling in Chinatown, a 25 seat room that Asia's 50 Best Bars ranked No. 10 in 2025, holding its title as Malaysia's best bar for the second consecutive year, per Malay Mail.

Founder Jon Lee opened the room in August 2022 and built every drink on a five pillar structure: alcohol, flavour, taste, body, and dilution, per the 50 Best profile. In 2024 the bar took the Nikka Highest Climber Award after rising 42 places in a single year.

The seating is the point. Nearly every seat faces the counter, and the 50 Best editors describe a service style designed to introduce guests to each other. This is the KL bar for drinkers who want the bartender in the conversation.

Clean lines, low light, and 25 seats arranged so the bar team works face to face with every guest. The 50 Best profile calls the design functionalist and modern; Grazia notes the room stays intentionally understated so the drinks and the conversation carry it.

Start with the Penrose Gibson, the house martini accented with sake vinegar and pickled leek that the 50 Best profile treats as the bar's thesis. Cocktails run around RM55 to RM65. The menu changes by chapter rather than season; tell the counter what you drank last and let them route you. Walk in expectations should be low; the room books out days ahead.

Expect a reservations crowd of KL cocktail regulars and traveling bar pilgrims working through the Asia's 50 Best list. The counter format means solo drinkers do better here than groups of four; conversation across the bar is engineered into the service.

What regulars say:

• Asia's 50 Best Bars ranked Penrose No. 10 in 2025, the top bar in Malaysia for a second straight year.
• Malay Mail reports it took the Nikka Highest Climber Award in 2024 after rising 42 places.
• Time Out KL lists it among the best bars in the city and flags the booking pressure on weekend seats.

Who it is for:

• A serious cocktail drinker who wants the counter, not a table
• Solo travelers chasing the Asia's 50 Best list
• Avoid if you want a loud group night; 25 seats and conversation rule the room

The best run counter in Kuala Lumpur and the one reservation worth planning a Chinatown night around. Book early in the week, sit alone or in a pair, and open with the Gibson.

Getting there: 149 Jalan Petaling, Chinatown, a short walk from Pasar Seni MRT. The frontage is discreet; check the number.

Timing: Tuesday to Saturday evenings. Early seats are calmest; Fridays and Saturdays book out first.

Cost: Premium for KL at roughly RM55 to RM65 a cocktail. Cards accepted; reservations essential.