Heading to JB but not sure which watering holes to check out for a good time? We’ve got you covered right here in this guide to the best bars in JB! Time to start the New Year right.
Bars and F&B outlets of the like are some of the best places to relax and unwind from the stresses of bustling city life. From hidden speakeasies decked out in eastern-inspired or themed décor to posh rooftop bars overlooking the splendid city skyline, JB has it all. But with so many options to choose from, how does one select their next haunt? If you’re planning to head across the border to Johor Bahru sometime soon, we’ve got you covered! Here are eight of the best bars in JB you should hit up in 2023.
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1. Haiiro Usagi
Image credits: Lifestyle Asia
Kicking off our list with a hidden speakeasy-styled bar is Haiiro Usagi. Translating to “Grey Rabbit” in Japanese, this is an establishment not to miss out on. Located along Jalan Maju, the place is exquisitely decorated with Eastern motifs and vibrant neon aesthetics and is well-loved for its unique handcrafted concoctions. The interior, however, is a huge contrast from the bar’s unassuming entrance which is tucked away behind a nondescript metal with a single sign labelled “75A” hanging above it.
Wondering about the crowd favourite of this watering hole? One of them is the “Earl”Mazing which features earl grey steeped gin mixed with orange liqueur topped with salted milk foam. The other is the Fifty Shades of Haiiro — a cocktail that combines vodka, rose tea, cacao, and charcoal cream topped off with beautiful French petals.
Do note that reservations are required for entry into the bar as it can get pretty crowded!
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 7:30 PM – 1 AM
Address: No.75A, Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about Haiiro Usagi here.
2. SkyBar, Bar & Restaurant (JEN Johor Puteri Harbour By Shangri-La)
Image credits: TripAdvisor
The next bar on our list is the SkyBar, Bar & Restaurant. Located atop the “3A” floor of JEN Johor Puteri Harbour by Shangri-La, beside the hotel’s infinity pool, this rooftop bar provides guests with a tranquil and relaxing dining experience overlooking the Puteri Harbour. The place is a mere 15-minute drive from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link which makes it a perfect weekend getaway for visitors travelling from Singapore. And did we mention that this spot also serves a variety of freshly grilled meat and seafood on an open charcoal-fired grill?
Mostly serving wines and typical beer brands like Heineken and Tiger, this bar stands out in its “Crazy Hour” promo for deals that are too good to be true. So be sure to take advantage of it when satisfying your alcohol fix if you’re planning to make a trip down!
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 4 PM – 11 PM
Address: Block 3, Level 3A, Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, 79000 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about SkyBar, Bar & Restaurant here.
3. Pantheon Lounge, Sky 26
Image credits: SKY 26, Holiday Villa Johor Bahru
Continuing with the trend of rooftop bars with spectacular views, the Pantheon Lounge, Sky 26 is located on the 26th floor of Holliday Villa Johor Bahru, overlooking Johor Bahru’s vibrant city skyline. The place is not only a bar but also a top-classed entertainment and social hub! It features live band performances, DJs playing sets, and visitors can even head next door to the KTV hall, “Fame” for some karaoke fun if the night is feeling stale.
The kitchen menu features mouth-watering Japanese cuisine and Asian-fusion dishes like must-try favourites: The Kaibashira Goma Pasta and Goma Soft Shell Crab Cold Soba. Serving a plethora of alcoholic beverages from liqueurs & spirits to wines, cocktails, and beers, this place has it all. You name it, they have it! Don’t miss a chance to try their speciality chocolate martini, aptly named the Sky 26.
Opening Hours: Mondays, 6 PM – 1 AM. Tuesdays, 6 AM – 2 AM. Wednesdays to Sundays, 6 PM – 12 AM.
Address: 26th Floor Holiday Villa, 260 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about Pantheon Longue, Sky 26 here.
4. Mulligan’s Pub & Bistro
Image credits: Mulligan’s Pub and Bistro
A sharp departure from the polished interiors and discrete décor of the past three entries, Mulligan’s Pub & Bistro is a lively Irish-styled pub. With brightly coloured walls and no-frills furnishing that makes this establishment that much cosier, this pub caters towards football fans with its regular screenings of football matches. Feeling a little restless? Head to the pool table for some fierce competitive fun.
Being a traditional Irish-styled pub, Mulligan’s Pub & Bistro serves a wide variety of traditional craft beers, stout, and even some cocktails. Beers like the Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale and Guinness Draught are popular drinks here. And seasonal special cocktails like the Pomegranate Margarita and Christmas Snow White certainly lend a flair of creativity. Definitely not a bar to miss out on during St. Patrick’s Day.
Opening Hours: Daily, 3 PM – 1 AM
Address: No. 17, Jalan Permas 10/2, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about Mulligan’s Pub and Bistro here.
5. Whisky House Johor Bahru
Image credits: Whiskey House Johor Bahru
This entry is for the whisky lovers out there. Being the first whisky ambassador bar in the Asia Pacific, Whisky House certainly lives up to its name by offering a selection of over 300 whisky and drink options that will leave you spoiled for choice! The warm lighting, sophisticated furnishing, and light jazz/acoustic music give the place a relaxing ambience that is perfect for corporate discussions or just grabbing a casual drink with close friends.
Capitalising on the establishment’s wide variety of whiskies, from Blended to Speyside, and Japanese whiskies, the bar offers patrons the ability to engage in a customisable whisky flight (an in-depth tasting session of three to five samples of whiskies). If whisky isn’t really your thing but you’d still like to make a visit, fret not because the place also serves some cocktails and ice-cold beers.
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 3 PM – 12 AM
Address: B3, 01-05, Jalan Molek 1/27, Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about Whiskey House Johor Bahru here.
6. Cabinet 8 By JWC
Image credits: Cabinet 8 By JWC
Returning to hidden speakeasy bars, Cabinet 8 by JWC is a quaint stylish bar that looks as if it belongs in a James Bond film. Enter the bar through its concealed entrance behind an unassuming closet. You’ll feel as if you’ve been teleported through space to a completely different location. The head mixologist there, Justin Tay, achieved the standard of WSET Level 2 on spirits back in 2018 and was a finalist in the La Maison Cointreau 2018 cocktail competition so you can be sure that he’ll definitely whip up some incredible cocktails!
Focusing on mixology, Cabinet 8 by JWC has no defined menu for its cocktails. Instead, patrons are required to order based on personal taste and which flavour appeals the most to them. This produces some truly unique concoctions that are highly instagrammable and personalized to the individual!
Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays, 6 PM to 12 AM. Fridays to Saturdays, 6 PM to 2 AM.
Address: 102, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about Cabinet 8 by JWC here.
7. 90.Tailor.Bar
Image credits: 90洋服
A unique addition to our list of best bars in Johor Bahru, the 90.Tailor.Bar or 90洋服.龟来BAR is a retro-themed café/bar. Exuding a rustic yet stylish ambience by utilising vintage props like a manual sewing machine, rattan chairs, tiled flooring, and antique furniture, the bar oozes authenticity and adds to its intended concept. The bar section of the establishment is hidden behind a wardrobe mirror. And if you’re wondering how it got its name, surprise because this watering hole is also a tailored boutique that in fact sells tailor-made suits and offers rentals. It even has its own hunky rendition of the celebrity chef figure, “Salt Bae”, that regularly accedes to requests for photos in front of a mural of himself!
In this café/bar, the flame-grilled steaks and pan pizzas are usually the stars of the show but don’t let that fool you. The place also serves a variety of beers and cocktails that goes down well with a good meal.
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 5 PM – 11.59 PM
Address: 8b, Jalan Pendekar 10, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about 90.Tailor.Bar here.
8. Vigneto Wine & Dine
Image credits: Vigneto Wine & Dine
Finishing off the list with a classy and elegant establishment, Vigneto Wine & Dine is perfect for celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, or special occasions of the like. The place is located along Jalan Sutera 8/3 and is hard to miss with a large glowing “V” sign hanging above the shopfront, coupled with a beautiful interior featuring Hemingway-inspired furnishing.
The establishment does not disappoint with its appetising full-course meals and chic decor that help to create a memorable fine dining experience. Let’s not forget the wide range of fine wine and sophisticated cocktails that will definitely complement whatever your main dish may be.
Opening Hours: Daily, 4 PM – 12 AM
Address: 106, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Price Range: $$$
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Bars In JB 2023: Find out more about Vigneto Wine & Dine here.
Visit The Best Bars In JB With YouTrip ASAP!
Now that you’re up-to-date with the best bars in JB, you are all set for your next adventure in and around the capital of Malaysia. While making your way across the causeway or paying for those drinks, don’t forget to check out with your YouTrip card to make full use of our Wholesale Exchange Rates and skip those pesky bank fees.
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