The 10 Best Bars in Malacca, Malaysia

Imagine sitting in a rattan seat next to the river. Soothing reggae music plays as you strike up a conversation with your neighbour. Add some of the lowest drink prices in Malacca and a healthy mix of backpackers, travellers and locals. Welcome to Reggae on the River. The colourful building’s outdoor terrace runs next to the river and features regular drink promotions (Happy Hour prices and beer bucket specials). Culture Trip recommends this among the top bars in Malacca to make new friends and have a sociable night out.

Me & Mrs Jones Café is one of the best bars in Malacca for live music. Hidden away in a side street branching from Jonker Walk, the owner of this family-run café gets on stage himself most nights. Anyone can join in the bar-wide jamming sessions. Order a beer or cocktail and kick back for a few hours, or show off your musical skills on stage. The bar starts to get active after 8pm.

Sid’s Pub mimics a British neighbourhood pub in a prime riverside location. The black and white colours almost create an English-Tudoresque flair with authenticity the Brits will appreciate. Expat-owner Geoff opened this branch in Malacca after an overwhelming level of success in Kuala Lumpur. Head down for a pint (a proper 568ml pint) and some English pub grub (think bangers and mash, Sunday roasts and pies) overlooking the Malacca River.

BarLacca Lounge is an LGBT-friendly and classy bar-lounge along the Malacca River. Order a beer or cocktail and watch the world pass by on comfy riverside seats, or unwind to nightly karaoke sets for an evening of fun. Expect mid-range prices, a chic ambience and a welcoming environment in the first LGBT-friendly bar in Malacca.

Ship-themed Flying Dutchman offers some of the lowest beer prices in Malacca. Tall tables fill the spacious interior as well as an outdoor terrace with a view. Expect a wide selection of affordable draft beer (think Heineken, Tiger and Guinness) and regular drink promotions (beer bucket promos). When the EPL games have finished on weekends the music goes up, creating an energetic yet casual atmosphere. Culture Trip recommends this among the top bars in Malacca for football-loving backpackers.

If you’re looking for an evening of romance, head to Alto Sky Lounge on the 22nd floor of Hatten Hotel Malacca. Think classy lounge meets an exquisite Italian restaurant with polished designs, chic ambience and more affluent clientele. Order a five-course meal and after-dinner drinks on the terrace with 180-degree views of Malacca. Live bands serenade the customers sipping fine wine or cocktails (try the strawberry margarita). We recommend Alto Sky Lounge as one of the most refined bars in Malacca for the not-so-budget-conscious traveller. Smart casual dress codes apply.

This Restobar along Jalan Merdeka (Independence Street) allures the young and trendy. The thematic interior uses giant bookshelves and sofas to make it feel like you’re sitting inside a quirky library. But the real highlight lies in their drinks. Proudly proclaiming to have the widest selection of both beer and vodka in all of Malaysia, this bar promises a treat. Add in imaginative cocktails found nowhere else in Malacca, premium liquor and regular entertainment (live bands, talent shows and game nights). Culture Trip recommends The Library among the best bars in Malacca for connoisseurs.

Music lovers consistently rate Ringo’s as one of the top bars in Malacca for a toned-down evening of fun along Jonker Street. Retro décor and historical memorabilia (think pre-war Malayan maps, old beer posters and antique clocks) create Ringo’s legendary atmosphere. Live bands hit classics from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s as well as Cantonese and Chinese numbers. Head down for a cold beer or cocktail after exploring Jonker for good music and entertainment.

Bistro Year 1673 combines an Asian-fusion restaurant with a bar and grill near the southern entrance to Jonker Street. The two-storey restored Dutch heritage building caters to everyone with its selection of food and drinks. Grab a table under the ceiling fans and marvel at the old-world décor, or sit on the outdoor terrace overlooking the street while watching the world glide by. Expect Asian/Western food, alcoholic (beer and cocktails) and non-alcoholic drinks (mocktails, smoothies) at mid-range prices. Live bands perform nightly at 8pm.

Rated as the biggest and best nightclub in Malacca, Mixx Club is the place to go for serious partying. Located on Mahkota Parade shopping mall’s second floor, the club is a magnet for Malaccan students and millennials. Step inside the neon and laser-filled warehouse-like space and embrace the energetic atmosphere. International DJs blast electronic and techno music until the early hours. Expect a limited selection of beer and liquor (with steep price tags) but a fun-filled night out inside Malacca’s liveliest club.