PS150
PS150 hides behind a working toy shop facade at 150 Jalan Petaling, in the heart of KL's Chinatown. Push past the shelves of vintage toys, walk through a narrow corridor, and you emerge into a beautifully restored 1930s shophouse split across three distinct drinking areas. The front bar handles walk-ins and serves the full cocktail menu. The back room, more intimate and dimly lit, seats groups in restored wooden booths. Upstairs, a hidden loft space accommodates reservations and private events. The cocktail program draws on Malaysian ingredients like pandan, gula melaka, calamansi, and local herbs, worked into recipes that have earned multiple spots on Asia's 50 Best Bars lists. Bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations. The space holds roughly 80 people across all three areas, which means weekends fill up by 9:30 PM.
What to Expect
Confusion, then delight. The toy shop entrance genuinely throws first-time visitors. Once inside, the restored shophouse architecture creates a warm, layered atmosphere that rewards exploration. Each of the three drinking areas has its own personality. The cocktails are serious, the conversation flows, and the soundtrack stays low enough that you can hear each other.
Warm, intimate, and distinctly Malaysian. The restored shophouse and local ingredient focus create something authentically KL rather than an imported concept.
Curated jazz, soul, and lo-fi electronic played at conversation-friendly volume
Smart casual works. The crowd is creative and fashionable without being exclusive. Clean jeans and a decent shirt get you in. Overdressing would look out of place.
Cocktail enthusiasts, couples on a date, and anyone who appreciates a bar with genuine character. First-time KL visitors looking for something they can't find anywhere else.
Cards and cash accepted. No minimum spend.
Price Range
Cocktails MYR 45-65, beer MYR 22-30, non-alcoholic cocktails MYR 28-35
Cocktails ~$10-15/~9.50-14 EUR, beer ~$5-7/~4.70-6.50 EUR
Hours
Tue-Sun 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Closed Mondays
Insider Tip
Arrive by 7:00 PM on weekends to guarantee a seat without a reservation. The back room is the best spot for conversation. Ask the bartenders about the off-menu specials using seasonal local ingredients. The toy shop entrance isn't just for show; you actually walk through it.
Full Review
Jalan Petaling is KL's Chinatown street market during the day. By evening, most stalls pack up, and the street takes on a different character. Number 150 doesn't advertise itself loudly. A working toy shop occupies the storefront, and the only hint is a small sign and the occasional well-dressed person disappearing through the displays.
Inside, the transformation is complete. The front bar area has a handful of seats at the counter and a few small tables. The bartenders work an open station, making cocktails with precision and local ingredients that set PS150 apart from KL's other cocktail bars. Pandan-infused rum, gula melaka syrups, torch ginger, and calamansi appear across the menu in combinations that sound experimental but taste balanced.
The back room is darker, quieter, and better for groups. Restored wooden booths line the walls, and the lighting drops to candlelit levels. If the front bar feels like a bartender's showcase, the back room feels like a private drinking den. The upstairs loft adds a third layer, though access is sometimes restricted for events.
Pricing sits at the upper end of KL's cocktail bar range, but below what hotel bars charge for drinks of lesser quality. At MYR 45 to 65 per cocktail, you're paying for genuine craft, unusual ingredients, and a setting that no amount of money could replicate in a modern building. The drinks here have won international recognition for good reason.
Weekend evenings fill the space by 9:00 PM. Tuesday through Thursday offers a more relaxed experience. The walk from Bukit Bintang takes about 15 minutes through Chinatown, and the route through the market streets at night is interesting in itself.
The Neighborhood
Petaling Street's Chinatown surrounds the bar with street food, market stalls, and several other drinking spots that have opened in recent years. Merchant's Lane, a cafe and bar in another restored shophouse, sits nearby. The area is safe for evening walks, though less busy after the market closes at 9:00 PM. Pasar Seni LRT station is a 5-minute walk.
Getting There
Walk from Bukit Bintang MRT in about 15 minutes through Jalan Sultan and into Chinatown. Pasar Seni LRT station is closer, about 5 minutes on foot. Grab from KLCC or Bukit Bintang costs MYR 6-12. Drop-off point on Jalan Petaling can be tricky for drivers unfamiliar with the one-way streets; walk from Jalan Sultan if the driver seems lost.
Address
150 Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
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