July’s Thirst Traps: 5 New Bars And Cafés Worth The Buzz

As the beverage scene evolves, we round up the newest bars and cafés to have on your radar.

Welcome back to Thirst Traps, a series dedicated to exploring Klang Valley’s newest bars and cafés in the name of research—so you’re in safe, if slightly buzzed, hands. This round, we bring you a wave of fresh openings worth your attention. Here are the newest bars and cafés making their mark across the city.

Tannin Hill

Any serious tea drinker will tell you that brewing is a ritual. Water temperature matters, timing matters, and so does the vessel in your hand. At Tannin Hill, director Dr. Tan offers his own interpretation, shaped by years of refinement and brought to life through the brand’s Teaspec Lazy Pour Teapot.

Using premium leaves such as Tie Guan Yin, Pu’er and Long Jing, the method draws out layers of aroma and texture that invite a slower, more thoughtful sip. The teas are paired with comforting bites including cheese-topped tempeh, salmon and ochazuke, creating combinations that feel both familiar and refreshingly different.

Then there is the nitro tea. Poured like a draft beer but unmistakably tea, it comes in four varieties spanning green, yellow and black teas. One sip in, and it becomes clear that tea still has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Booking: 0166178379
Website: tanninhill.com
IG: @tanninhill.co

Teetoturtle

The zero-proof movement is having a proper moment in KL, and Teetoturtle in Pasar Seni is right in the thick of it. The sober mixology bar serves more than 11 drinks that deliver all the theatre, flavour and craftsmanship, minus the late-night scramble for a ride home.

Built around Jamu and Pudina, two house-made spirit alternatives, the menu explores familiar local ingredients in ways that feel inventive without trying too hard. Each drink arrives as a small piece of liquid artistry, proving that alcohol-free doesn’t mean giving up complexity, character or a good time.

IG: @teetoturtle

Tangga KL

KL’s coffee scene never sits still, and Tangga KL is the latest spot to join the conversation. Housed in a charming old-world space, the café takes its name from the vintage wooden ladder that leads guests into its main area, while shelves of pre-loved books lend the place the feeling of a well-loved reading room.

The drinks menu features a Colombian-Brazilian-Ethiopian house blend alongside cold brews and espresso tonics, while the food stays close to home with traditional kuih such as kuih lapis, kuih keladi and pulut panggang. It is the sort of place that quietly encourages you to linger a little longer than planned.

Booking: 0321100776
IG: @tangga.kl

Poo Loong & Co.

Jordan Lim is back behind the bar with Poo Loong & Co. in Chinatown, taking over the former Up & Away space. The menu balances well-executed classics with signature cocktails and clever spins on favourites like the Highball and Whisky Sour. Pull up a seat and settle in for a night of good drinks and even better company.

IG: @pooloongandco

Phoenix Gastrobar KL

Formerly H Bar, Phoenix Gastrobar is one of KL’s newest nightlife additions, making its debut from Jakarta. Housed in The MET Corporate Towers in KL Metropolis, the space has kept much of what made its predecessor memorable while bringing a fresh identity of its own.

Step inside and the first thing you’ll notice is the dramatic Roman-inspired fountain, still commanding attention at the heart of the room. Surrounded by lush greenery and warm timber accents, the space strikes a balance between polished and inviting. Moody lighting, concrete floors, and diner-style booths set the tone for cocktails that stretch long into the night. Upstairs, a Parisian-inspired dining room glows by candlelight, offering a quieter perch overlooking the buzz below.

Booking: 0125384528
Website: holywings.com
IG: @phoenixgastrobar.kl

Opening image courtesy of Tannin Hill