Second edition of Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week returns

The highly anticipated Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW) is set to return for its second edition from April 22 – 27, bringing together cocktail enthusiasts, industry professionals and some of the world’s best bars for a week-long celebration of mixology. Scheduled to take place across multiple venues in the city, KLCW 2025 continues its mission to elevate Malaysia’s cocktail scene while introducing a wider audience to craft cocktails and fine spirits.

Kuala Lumpur will be turned into a cocktail hub for a week, divided into five areas: Bangsar, Petaling Jaya/Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Damansara Heights, Chinatown, and Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Each zone will feature its own events, culminating in the Festival Village celebration at Sentul Depot on April 26.

Headliners From Across The Region

KLCW 2025 will bring 27 international bars to Kuala Lumpur for exclusive one-night bar takeovers, featuring venues like Handshake Speakeasy (World’s 50 Best Bars 2024), Bar Leone (Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024), Jigger & Pony (Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 Singapore), BKK Social Club (Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 Thailand), Vender (Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 Taiwan). These guest shifts will showcase innovative cocktails, cutting-edge techniques, and global trends while fostering collaboration between local and international talents across different city zones.

Global Names, Local Venues

Participating international bars for KLCW’s City Takeover include Argo (HK), BKK Social Club (BKK), Bar Leone (HK), Bee’s Knees (Kyoto), Dentree (CN), Firefly (TH), Flora Bar (PH), Gokan (HK), Handshake Speakeasy (MX), Jigger & Pony (SG), Le Chamber (KR), Lockdown (HK), Mahaniyom (TH), Night Hawk (SG), Nuss Bar (TH), Nomad Lab (Mongolia), Offtrack (SG), Opium Bar (TH), Penicillin (HK), Pony Up (CN), Ritz Carlton (JP), Soko Bar (KR), Sugarhall (SG), The House on Sathorn (TH), The Modern Hausm(ID), Vender Bar (TW), and Wu (TW), including a Malaysian Takeover with Good Friend’s Club (Penang), Haiiro Usagi (Johor Bahru), Budi (Malacca) and No Bar Here (Penang).

Local bars that will be hosting include Astor Bar, Ba by Kinugawa, Bar Trigona, Cabinet 8 KL, Concubine, Frank’s Bar, Here & Now, Humboldt, Jaan, Jao Tim, Joloko, JungleBird, Lavantha, Living Room at W, Moon Bar, Pahit, Penrose, Rakh, Records, Reka, Remedy, Soma, Terumi, Three X Co and Ver Bar.

Festival Village at Sentul Depot

Experience the KLCW Festival Village at Sentul Depot on April 26 from 2:30pm to 11:30pm. Guests can explore a diverse selection of cocktails from renowned brands, enjoy live music, participate in games and watch engaging performances. This lively event offers an interactive celebration of cocktail craftsmanship.

Attendees can also expect expert-led seminars curated in partnership with Bar Convent Singapore, featuring industry figures such as Hadrien Moudoulaud of Bar Nouveau on Olfactory Mixology and Philip Bischoff of BKK Social Club on The Art of Hospitality. A special roundtable on managing personal finances for hospitality professionals will also be held, featuring insights from Mr Money TV.

KLCW Cocktail Pairing Dinners

KLCW 2025 will also introduce an exciting lineup of cocktail pairing dinners in collaboration with some of Kuala Lumpur’s best restaurants, including Akâr, Barkar, Beta, Bistro Lea, Chipta, ESCA, Fifty Tales, Ignis, Jwala, Jus, Okaju, Upperhouse, and Yellow Fin Horse at RAW.

KLCW 2025 partners with FunNow as its official reservation and ticketing system, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees. The event is supported by a stellar lineup of brands, including Belvedere, Chivas, Dewar’s, Edelweiss, Hendrick’s, Hennessy, Jameson, Johnnie Walker, Martell, Michter’s, Monkey Shoulder, Rémy Martin, Roku Gin, Ron Zacapa Centenario, Tanqueray, The Botanist and Volcan.

By fostering cross-industry collaborations and expanding Malaysia’s cocktail community, KLCW 2025 aims to grow appreciation for fine drinks and craft cocktails while cementing Kuala Lumpur’s position on the global cocktail map. For further information and to secure your tickets, please visit Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week’s Instagram page @klcwofficial. 

*pics from KLCW2024