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.

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.

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.