There is a kind of stereotype that indulging in a drink should only be done in the cloak of the night. It celebrates the end of the day, toasting to a hard day’s work, whether or not it was good or bad. Any reason to drink, they say. Or, “It’s 5 p.m. somewhere in the world.” By proxy, day drinking draws some flak—the only excusable occasion is when you’re on holiday. Now, we’re not advocating for alcoholism: one should always drink responsibly.
But Bar None, nestled in the leafy streets of Bangsar, is rewriting the rules. Opened by one of our Bright Young Things Raz Ng, and a grumpy industry legend, Arsenio Mariano Jr (Ash), the bar runs two distinct menus across the day: 24 cocktails in total, split between a daytime lineup that leans low-ABV and light and a night menu that errs heavy once the sun dips below the Kuala Lumpur skyline. There is a drink for every hour, and drinking well is less about when and more about how.
AM: Starting Easy
The AM menu is designed to ease you in. Bone Apple Tea sets the pace. Built on JD Apple and jasmine tea with boba pearls, it is light, fragrant, and almost entirely devoid of any boozy edge. It doesn’t taste like a cocktail so much as a very pleasant afternoon beverage, making it the perfect entry drink. Next is Antipasto, a riff on an Americano, conceived in the spirit of a pizza. The result is herbal, bordering on savoury—closer to a Bloody Mary. It is polarising, best for those who appreciate complexity over sweetness.
Bar None’s philosophy comprises cocktails that draw deeply from our backyard: bunga kantan, ulam, toddy, and umbra, presenting them as proper flavour builders. The Matahari is perhaps the most immediately pleasing of the daytime lot: refreshing and well-balanced, with grape notes through a clean, tropical base before a lingering finish of bunga kantan lifts it. The Nonetini, by contrast, demands your attention. Inspired by the bartender’s fondness for Penang hawker stall drinks, it pairs umbra with nutmeg in a combination that is far stronger than its low-ABV classification might suggest. It is bold, tannic, and very Malaysian.
The Forest Brine is the most divisive drink on the menu, and also one of the most interesting. Made with daun selom—a leafy herb typically found in ulam spreads—it has an astringent, green quality that is pine-like. Not unpleasant, but interesting nonetheless. A layer of foam softens the edges, lending a creamy texture that makes the whole thing more drinkable. Saffron & Pears takes a more hospitable turn. Derived from chutney, it has the warm, spiced character of a dessert: jammy and fragrant, with just enough acidity.
The Island Heat plays with the nutmeg fruit for a herbaceous and distinctly aromatic flavour. Warm Feelings is gentler, using ube for its soft, earthy aroma. The lead notes are citrus and ginger beer, bright and effervescent; the ube appears only in the finish with a faint, pleasant aftertaste.
The Ria Nira may be the most locally rooted drink on the menu. Made with toddy, it functions as a localised whisky sour, with guava lending a tropical softness. This drink is easygoing and approachable.
Need an afternoon coffee break? Try the Carajillo, a smooth, polished espresso martini. The Nut Job closes out the AM chapter with a rich, peanut butter profile that belies its low-ABV status. It is indulgent and lingering—like dessert in a glass.
PM: The Night Menu Begins
When the light changes in Bangsar, so does Bar None. The night menu arrives with less restraint and a higher ABV—proceed with caution. Vice Affair opens proceedings as a slushie-style drink akin to a thickened sorbet, anchored by jackfruit colada ice cream. It’s a fun one, straddling the line between cocktail and dessert. Nevermind is richer territory: coconut milk-washed cream with OFTD rum that is soft on the surface but packs a punch underneath.
For negroni lovers, Carinosa delivers a mezcal variation that trades the classic’s bitterness for smoke. The Junglebird—Bar None’s riff on the Malaysian classic—earns its distinction through a different technique: the pineapple is burnt before being muddled, introducing a charred, caramelised depth different to the original. And finally, Zest Theory: a highball built on three types of citrus, each combination yielding a subtly different experience.
Twenty-four cocktails in a day. Don’t overdo it like we did, but we put in the hard work so you’ll know what to get when you’re there, AM or PM. There is no wrong time—only the right drink.
Address: 28A, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Monday–Thursday, 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m; Saturday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m; closed on Sundays.
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