This quieter part of TTDI is slowly coming into lives, especially at night, all thanks to The Private Room and The Pawn Room. Private Room is KL’s first wine speakeasy – founded by a team of bankers, entrepreneurs & sommeliers.
Their second offshoot, The Pawn Room is located next door. Look out for the stair case located next to DC Restaurant, brave yourself as you walk through the quiet staircase while occasionally hearing some Chinese oldies playing at the background (don’t worry, you are not hallucinating), push through the antique iron gate and the Chinese herbal cabinet facade, and you are in for a visual treat.
The Pawn Room has a very spacious area, divided into four different sections, making it a great place to chill out.
There’s no better way to get a sense of Shanghai’s decadent 1920s heyday than to enjoy a cocktail here. Spot the hanging umbrellas on the ceiling, rattan chair, hanging lanterns, chinese porcelain stools and etc.
The bar is manned by resident mixologists McKay & Janice. I recognise Janice from Omakase immediately because she makes the best no-menu cocktails (according to your mood and preferences). McKay is equally good at that too, as we saw him busy churning out one after another off-menu cocktails.
Chinese Cinderella (RM 36)
The cocktail is served hot on a piece of beautiful, custom made china ware. The sweetness from the black dates & liquorice juice and elderflower liquor balance out the richness of the Tio Pepe Fino Sherry and Carpano Bianco Vermouth.
Buddha Kaf Fei (RM 36)
An interesting combination of rum, creme de cassis and luo han gup (dried buddha fruits) juice. If you like something bittersweet, then this is the cocktail for u.
Ah Moi, red bean soup bagi satu! We ordered that from Janice, and she gave us the Bean of Life (RM 36). Do not underestimate this harmless tong sui looking cocktail. It is a potent combination of hennessey VSOP, cream, red bean paste, vanilla syrup, red bean juice and Amaro Montenegro. I’m a girly girl when it comes to cocktail choices, so I didn’t really enjoy the mild herbs flavour from the amaro.
Bunga Kaseh (RM 36) is my favourite drink of the night. It is a beautiful combination of chrysanthemum juice, pandan syrup, tanqueray gin and elderflower liquor. I love the smoothness of the drink, very easy to drink and with visible hints of chrysanthemum.
Barely one week in operation, The Pawn Room has already attracted a big crowd on a Friday night. This speakeasy is going to be the next trendy speakeasy with plenty of instagram check-ins.
The Pawn Room
Address: 46b-2, First Floor, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 013-483-8863
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 5pm-1am; Fri-Sat, 5pm-3am
