After a successful debut last year, Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW) returns this April 22 tp 27, turning Malaysia’s capital into a vibrant playground for cocktail lovers and industry insiders alike. Expect six action-packed days filled with bar takeovers, pop-ups, seminars, and more. Whether you're flying in or already in town, this is your cue to clear your calendar. 

Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week 2025 | Photo: Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week on Instagram

Here are five great reasons to book that last-minute trip and dive headfirst into KLCW 2025:

1. The world’s top bars, all in one city

27 of the world’s best bars are flying in for a week-long series of exclusive one-night-only bar takeovers. Highlights include Handshake Speakeasy from Mexico City—recently crowned No. 1 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024—at Bar Trigona in the Four Seasons KL (April 25). Also shaking things up is Bar Leone from Hong Kong, Asia’s current number one. Representing the Philippines is Quezon City’s Flora Gin Bar, taking over Frank’s Bar KL, a Sinatra-inspired speakeasy, also on April 25.

QC's very own Flora Gin Bar will do a bar takeover on April 25 | Photo: Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week on Instagram

2. Explore Kuala Lumpur’s bar scene by zone

To make bar-hopping easier (and more fun), the city’s top cocktail neighborhoods are divided into five zones—Bangsar, Petaling Jaya, Damansara Heights, Chinatown, and KL City Center. Each zone gets a dedicated night, so you can plan your crawl without missing a beat. It’s KL’s cocktail culture, neatly mapped out for maximum sipping.

3. The Festival Village at Sentul Depot

Short on time? Don’t worry. Head to the KLCW Festival Village at Sentul Depot on April 26 for a one-stop cocktail celebration. Expect signature serves from renowned local and international brands, live music, interactive games, and an all-around high-energy vibe. Perfect for those who can only spare a night or two but don’t want to miss out.

4. Seminars for the cocktail curious and industry pros

KLCW goes beyond the bar with expert-led seminars curated in partnership with Bar Convent Singapore. Among the must-attend talks is “The Art of Hospitality” by Philip Bischoff, the acclaimed bar director behind BKK Social Club. Whether you're in the business or just love the culture, these sessions will stir up your cocktail IQ.

The schedule is packed | Photo: Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week on Instagram

5. Cocktail pairing dinners you don’t want to miss

New this year: cocktail-pairing dinners at some of KL’s top restaurants, including Michelin-starred Beta and AKAR by Chef Aidan Low (who just wowed diners in Manila with a six-hands collab at Hapag). These one-off dinners bring together fine dining and masterful mixology for a multisensory experience.

Pro tip: Last-minute travelers can still score round-trip tickets to KL for under PHP 10,000 via third-party sites like Agoda, with 3- to 5-star hotel stays starting around PHP 2,500 to 3,000 per night.

To plan your experience and stay updated, follow @klcwofficial on Instagram or check out www.klcw.my.