When it comes to hidden bars, Penang doesn’t fall short of it, with many intriguing concepts to spice up the nightlife for locals as well as visitors. Here are 10 interesting hidden bars which you can check out with your friends over the weekend:
1. Secret Door
Aha! Secret Door! So… seems like people who come here have secrets to share.
It’s actually located in Lebuh Carnarvon, which is just 5 minutes walk from First Avenue Penang. It is quite easy to locate this place as compared to other hidden bars. The tricky part, however is that to enter the bar itself, you need to insert the CORRECT code and push the CORRECT door.
The doors look exactly like this, which looks nothing like a conventional door.
Source: Secret Door Official FB Page
Their infamous hallway which happens to be every visitor’s Instagram spot.
Source: Secret Door Official FB Page
They also have a live band who performs every day from 10pm onward till 1am.
Source: Secret Door Official FB Page
Secret Door opens daily from 7am to 3pm (time subjected to change), so don’t forget to check out their Facebook or before making your way there.
2. Norm/ Noct
This place serves a variety of Coffee, tea, cocktails, waffles, and Tiramisu.
So, it’s actually a café during the day and a bar when night falls.
It is located just directly beside Macallum Connoisseurs Café.
Don’t worry about the parking as there is a parking lot just beside it. Business starts from 9am till 1am. A MUST place to visit!
3. Room 495
Ok, this bar the mother of all hidden bar because it’s too well hidden!
Even Penangites have problem finding this bar. Well, if you really couldn’t find it, don’t worry, just waze you way there by typing “room495” on your search bar.
Parking is not a problem here as it is located next to Komtar Walk Open Site Carpark. Just like all the typical bars, it opens from 7pm till 1am.
4. 12 Senses
Located in Lebuh Presgrave, Donnie Yen will definitely approve this place because you need to practice some kung fu on this wooden dummy in order to open the door.
Source: Kok Chee Hou’s Blogspot
The walls are full of Chinese Opera pictures. The interior design will whisk you to another era where the Chinese used to watch Chinese Opera performances in places like this back in the days.
Source: 12 Senses FB page
Open from 4pm till 2am, live band performances are available every Wednesday to Saturday.
5. Magazine 63
This is also one of hardest place to locate as the outside of the bar looks nothing like one, plus there are no signage or whatsoever to make it easy for you to find. What we know is that it is located along Jalan Magazine, just directly opposite First Avenue Mall.
Source: Magazine 63 FB Page
Source: Magazine 63 FB Page
Even though it opens from 8pm till 3am, be sure to make reservations before heading there as it’s always very crowded.
6. Out of Nowhere
If you are a coffee lover, you really need to add this into your list. If you are a cocktail lover, you can also visit here when night falls.
It is located in Jalan Kuala Kangsar.
The café-pub provides a cozy environment with those dim lights and dark furnishing. There are a total of 3 different sections- lounge, bar and open space. The open space is for smokers whereas the lounge and the bar are for non- smokers.
Opens from 6pm till 1am (Monday – Thursday) and 6pm to 2am (Friday and Saturday), it closes on Sunday.
7. Golden Shower by Chin Chin
If the theme color of your life is pink, Golden Shower by Chin Chin which is located along Lebuh Bishop is definitely made for you! No signage available outside as usual but then you can spot a very high class bathroom located just right in front of the entrance door.
As the name suggest, Golden Shower’s theme is based on a posh bathroom concept with lots of gold color incorporated. Do take note that the bathroom is just for taking picture purposes, so as tempting as it seems, please do not relief yourself here when nature calls!
After entering the first door, you will need to pass this section too. If you want to take photos with this “Golden Shower” sign, make sure to turn on your flash light. Why? You’ll need to try to find out!
Pink is EVERYWHERE!
FYI, they only serve snacks so please ensure to have a full meal before heading here for a drink.
Golden Shower by Chin Chin opens from 5.30pm till 2am. Parking is a struggle here so do prepare to walk a little if there’s a need to park further down the road.
8. The Bund
In Chinese, it is called “上海滩” (shang-hai-tan). Well, if you never been to Shanghai, you can get feel of Shanghai atmosphere here.
It’s located in Noordin Street and opens from 6pm till 3am. Perfect for nocturnal!
Live band performances are available as well. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for their performance schedule!
9. Good Friends Club
With a catchy name as such, this is a perfect hangout spot to hang out with your buddies.
Located at Hin Bus Art Depot and this bar is inspired by the local kopitiam vibes.
Opens from Monday to Sunday, except Tuesday, from 7pm till 1am, and 7pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
10. Le
Source: Le FB page
Le is a perfect place for you to start your day with a hearty breakfast, as well as to end your day with a couple of drinks.
Source: Le FB page
Located along Jalan Gudwara, Le opens from 9am till 1am but it closes every Wednesday.
Source: Le FB page
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