The 10 Best Bars in Kuching, Malaysia

If you want to meet people, Drunk Monkey is for you. Located in the middle of Carpenter Street, this bar is a haven for locals, expats and backpackers. The vintage pub along one of Sarawak’s oldest streets offers a selection of beers, wines and cocktails. Expect strong WiFi, good music and a variety of snacks inside one of our favourite bars to check out when spending 48 hours in Kuching.

Another primate-themed bar in Kuching: Monkeebar. The pub attracts everyone from backpackers to Kuching’s middle class. Expect a relaxed and sociable atmosphere and affordable drink prices as well as a favourite spot to watch live football. Customers regularly return to have a night on the town, listen to good music and hang out with friends. And to make ordering that next drink an easy decision, Monkeebar donates 50% of their profits to the Orangutan Project.

Borneo Redneck’s Bar provides an environment and atmosphere similar to an American sports bar. The menu serves pub grub and a selection of burgers, making it one of the more popular bars in Kuching with expats. Expect a variety of bottled and draught beers, cocktails and top-shelf spirits. Live music and sports on the big screens are regulars too. Head to Borneo Redneck’s for an active night, to watch the latest game and meet Kuching’s expats.

For the chance to meet other travellers and sample local rice wine, check out Speak Eazy on Carpenter Street. Apart from its central location, food and drink prices are much lower than the other bars in Kuching. A relaxed atmosphere and a friendly ambience allure backpackers. Choose to sit inside the artistic bar or unwind with a drink or two outside in the warm evening air. Solo travellers backpacking in Borneo and looking for a budget-friendly spot to drink and meet other travellers will instantly fall in love with this bar.

This trendy bar in Kuching features late-night drinking with clubbing music. Havana Café is famous among the younger Kuchinites looking to let their hair down and dance. While this isn’t a popular spot among backpackers, it does have long Happy Hour prices and regular drink promotions. Anyone who wants a toned-down clubbing experience in Kuching should spend their evening here.

For the chance to meet locals and enjoy live music, check out The Wayang. With a variety of local and imported beers, including Guinness on tap, this is one of the more popular bars in Kuching for locals. Regular bands play in the evenings, creating a relaxed ambience to chill with friends or make new ones. Drink prices are towards the expensive side, but the live music tends to make it worthwhile.

Bear Garden is one of the favourite bars in Kuching among the environmentally conscious. Apart from a wide selection of affordable beer, the bar is vegan-friendly and is dedicated to conservation efforts. Order a beer, wine or cocktail and have a light meal where 50% of the profits go directly towards orangutan rehabilitation at Matang Wildlife Centre. Not only does Bear Garden make for an ideal spot to meet other like-minded travellers and locals, it’s also one of the top vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Kuching. And it provides guilt-free dining with the knowledge of contributing to protecting our long-haired, orange cousins.