Must-see nightlife in Southeast Asia

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    Employees Only

    Chinatown & the CBD

    This outpost of the famous New York cocktail bar of the same name has brought a slice of big city buzz to Singapore, along with a dazzling array of…

  • Atlas

    Little India & Kampong Glam

    Straight out of 1920s Manhattan, this cocktail lounge is an art deco–inspired extravaganza, adorned with ornate bronze ceilings and low-lit plush lounge…

  • Suzie Wong

    Kuala Lumpur

    Push aside the heavy curtain at the end of a clubby bar to discover the wild goings-on at this old Hong Kong–style speakeasy cocktail bar. Expect a…

  • Manhattan

    Singapore

    Step back in time to the golden age of fine drinking at this handsome Mad Men–esque bar, where long-forgotten cocktails come back to life. Grouped by eras…

  • Operation Dagger

    Chinatown & the CBD

    From the cloud-like light sculpture to the boundary-pushing cocktails, extraordinary is the keyword here. To encourage experimentation, libations are…

  • 28 HongKong Street

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Softly lit 28HKS plays hide-and-seek inside an unmarked 1960s shophouse. Slip inside and into a slinky scene of cosy booths and passionate mixologists…

  • Native, drinks

    Native

    Chinatown & the CBD

    This hidden bar in hotspot-heavy Amoy St is the brainchild of bartender extraordinaire Vijay Mudaliar – formerly of Operation Dagger – and his concoctions…

  • Three Little Birds. The well-trained baristas also whips up a good filter coffee

    Three Little Birds

    Kuala Lumpur

    Top-tier coffee bar and micro-roaster Three Little Birds is manned by the pioneers of third-wave coffee culture in KL: Michael Wilson and wife Amirah…

  • Tippling Club

    Tippling Club

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Tippling Club propels mixology to dizzying heights, with a technique and creativity that could turn a teetotaller into a born-again soak. Sample the…

  • Other Room

    Singapore

    You'll find this hidden drinking house, a throwback to a bygone era, behind a secret door in the Singapore Marriott lobby – ring the doorbell for entry…

  • Moon Bar, rooftop bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel.

    Moon Bar

    Bangkok

    An alarmingly short barrier at this rooftop bar is all that separates patrons from the street, 61 floors down. Moon Bar claims to be among the highest…

  • Le Trio Coffee, shop, Vientiane, Laos

    Le Trio

    Vientiane

    Sip your piccolo latte to a soundtrack of jazz and the scent of cooking beans; tiny Le Trio roasts its own coffee and is the most atmospheric hang-out for…

  • Zouk

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    This legendary super club has been pumping beats since 1991 and draws in some of the world's biggest DJs and Singapore's seen-to-be-seen crowd. This is…

  • Omnia

    Bukit Peninsula

    Perched at the base of the Bukit peninsula, Bali's hottest new day club is home to seekers of sunshine-fuelled revelry and house and hip-hop beats. The…

  • Samai Distillery

    Phnom Penh

    The origins of sugarcane are in Southeast Asia, so the Venezuelan owners of this beloved rum distillery see themselves as bringing the tradition full…

  • Smoke & Mirrors

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    Oozing style, this rooftop bar offers one of the best views of Singapore. Perched on the top of the National Gallery, the vista looks out over the Padang…

  • Calanthe Art Cafe

    Melaka City

    Fancy a full-bodied Johor or classic Perak white? Sip a coffee inspired by your favourite Malaysian state at this perky place. The coffee is excellent,…

  • Bat & Arrow

    Padang

    Overlooking the river in the colonial quarter, this sprawling, graffiti-splattered 'ruin pub' feels a bit like a bombed-out building, but instead is…

  • Cubao Expo

    Manila

    A precinct of cool bars, cheap eats and boutiques, Cubao X is a must for anyone interested in Manila's underground scene. Venues come and go, but boozy…

  • Baba Nest

    Phuket

    Engulfed by beautiful Andaman and island views and bordered by glittering reflective pools, the elegant, intimate rooftop Baba Nest lounge-bar at Sri…

  • Drunk Monkey Old Street Bar

    Kuching

    This bar attracts a relaxed crowd of tourists and locals. There's a nightly BBQ of meaty skewers (7pm to midnight) and you'll find menus from nearby…

  • Burbrit Taproom

    Yangon

    Sample some of Myanmar's first generation of craft beers at this taproom-cum-sports-bar in the leafy embassy district. Most ales are European-inspired but…

  • Vana Nava Sky

    Hua Hin

    Vana Nava Sky is Hua Hin's classiest cocktail joint. Opened in 2018, the 27th-floor stunner features marble floors and lattice iron framing high windows…

  • Utopia

    Luang Prabang

    Lush riverside bar with peaceful views of the Nam Khan, recliner cushions, low-slung tables and leafy nooks. Chill over a fruit shake, burger or breakfast…

  • Night Rooster

    Ubud

    From the same folks at Locavore, this neighbouring, 2nd-storey cocktail bar has a talented mixologist and some fascinating flavour combos. Inventive…

  • Landing Point

    Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay

    For a decadent high tea, it's hard to beat the one at this chichi waterside lounge. Book ahead (one week for weekdays, one month for weekends), style up,…

  • Nylon Coffee Roasters

    Chinatown & the CBD

    Hidden away in the Everton Park public housing complex, this pocket-sized, standing-room-only cafe and roastery has an epic reputation for phenomenal…

  • Graph

    Chiang Mai

    A tiny cafe with enormously good coffee. Only about 10 people fit inside, and the line often snakes down the old city block. Favourites include the Nitro…

  • Vinum Exchange

    Kuala Terengganu

    Equal parts cafe, bar, restaurant and wine shop, Vinum Exchange is a game changer for Kuala Terengganu. The stylish interior features a great selection of…

  • La Laguna

    Canggu

    A sibling of Seminyak's La Favela, La Laguna is one of Bali's most alluring bars. It combines a beatnik look with Moorish trappings and sparkling tiny…

  • Cafe Salween

    Yangon

    A pioneer of Yangon's blossoming third-wave coffee-shop scene, Cafe Salween goes all out for hipster status, making drinks in a variety of methods with an…

  • Seraph Awaken

    Malaysia

    Coffee making is approached with scientific precision by Cheau See and Chun Hoong, who serve hand-brewed drip coffee from a counter laden with beakers and…

  • Pasteur Street Brewing Company

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Pasteur Street Brewing turns out a fine selection of craft beer. Brews utilise local ingredients including lemongrass, rambutan and jasmine, and up to six…

  • Acaraki

    Jakarta

    Hidden in a renovated building near Taman Fatahillah, Acaraki is the coolest cafe in the area. It's decorated with exposed brickwork and an enormous…

  • Sweet Orange Warung

    Ubud

    An idyllic location in the midst of a rice field a short walk from the centre of town makes this a wonderful spot for a drink or simple meal. You'll be…

  • Bamboo Beach Café

    West Java

    This old favourite has upped sticks and moved further along the beach (alongside a number of other warungs), but the beach-bum vibe and sunset sea views…

  • Haiphong Brewery Beer Club

    Haiphong

    Picture an open-air German beer hall with a rowdier crowd, and you've got the vibe of this fun venue. Couple the surprisingly tasty draught brews (7000d…

  • Hero Coffee

    Semarang

    This delightful cafe is one of several popping up in the old city area. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial terrace, with a pink awning and wrought…

  • Ruai Bar

    Kuching

    This self-styled 'Modern Dayak' bar features a mash-up of modern and indigenous design, and there's occasional live music – including metal and local hip…

  • Laodi

    Vientiane

    Refurbished shipping containers in front of a spooky abandoned building, riverside breezes, and local rum distilled by a Japanese resident. Laodi is hard…