9 Rooftop Bars in Kuala Lumpur For City Views (Day & Night)

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If I’m ever given the option between a cosmopolitan playground or a chilled-out island destination, I usually always go with the latter. However, Malaysia’s capital city is one exception. I absolutely adore KL, and it’s one of my favorite skyscraper-lined destinations in all of Southeast Asia! 

Trendy drinking and eating spaces, street art everywhere, dreamy shopping options, and friendly locals. What’s not to love? 

Visiting the City Garden of Lights and curious about its F&B scene? Well, here’s some fabulous news for you. The rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur are top-level (excuse the pun), and double as the perfect location for appreciating the skyscrapers from above. Glittering at night when all lit up, lap up the panoramas and vistas of iconic landmarks from a special vantage point. Take it up another notch by doing so with a fab cocktail or glass of champagne in hand! 

Some spots only open after 5 pm, others open during daytime hours. Certain venues have a strict dress code, while others are more casual. In this ultimate guide I’ll share my favorite rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur (with some little tips from my local friends!).

1. Vertigo: Tallest Hotel Rooftop Bar 

Dazzling city lights, fusion-style tapas to fill your bellies, caviar and bubbles…Relish in the thrill of feeling on top of the city at Vertigo. Perched 59 floors off the ground, if you’re afraid of heights, you might wanna reconsider. You truly feel like you’re above the clouds! 

Splashed across every single Instagram page if you’re searching for the ultimate rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur, Vertigo is a firm favorite. 

Palomas, Moscow mules, and other classics dot the international cocktail menu. Spiked Sherley Temple or a lemongrass caipirinha comprise the locally-inspired options. Korean-style chicken popcorn, mini wagyu burgers, and cheese and cold cuts are examples of your light bites. 

Find Vertigo at the Banyan Tree. No under-21s are allowed, and the dress code is smart casual. 

2. Skybar at the Traders Hotel: Direct Twin Tower views  

There’s only one thing that springs to mind whenever we think about Skybar at the Traders Hotel: iconic. 

As the Petronas Twin Towers stare back at you, dazzling in a hundred sparkles when the sun goes down, one soon realizes what the whole appeal is about this spot. The location and views alone make it one of our personal fave rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur. Yet, these aren’t the only reasons. 

It lives up to cocktail/drinks expectations with mixologists shaking up many funky drinks. Munch on perfectly delish bar snacks, like roasted pumpkin hummus or crab cakes. I especially love the cabana seating for its best views in the house of the Towers. 

3. WET Deck: Rooftop pool, I repeat…

From this list of rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur, WET is one of the few which opens before sunset. But it makes sense with its daytime pool, where guests can hang out (cool cabanas included), sip on tropical cocktails, and enjoy KL’s weather. 

Head up to the 12th level of the W Kuala Lumpur. Now, instead of feeling like you’re standing above all the skyscrapers, you’re in line with many of the buildings from this point. Gazing upward, the Petronas Twin Towers rise above you. It makes for a fantastic photo, just saying, especially for the socials! 

Come nightfall, the bar transforms into a neon pink hue, and you best believe DJs get involved! The rooftop bar itself opens up at 10 am and stays open late (usually between 12 am to 2 pm, night dependent). During the day, there are even pilates classes. 

Good to know: Day Passes are available. 

4. Terrasse: Tres chic, tres French 

Oysters, champagne, and skyscraper visions…Terrasse reminds me ever so slightly of a New York rooftop where business folk congregate after a day’s work for a sundowner. 

The whole setup exudes a classy feel; very metropolitan in my opinion. Interiors are finished off with loads of fresh plants, and strings of warm outdoor lights add the finishing touches. 

All the while, you’ll stare up at the city’s Twin Towers, glistening in the dark. The menu is all French-inspired (go figure with the champagne — obviously Veuve Clicquot — and oysters), and comprises many small bites and sharing plates. You can never go wrong with a charcuterie and cheese platter, blue oysters, or a seasonal French shellfish platter.

5. Cielo Rooftop: Perfect for date night 

Dusted in soft pinks, billowing curtains, and skyscraping views, Cielo Rooftop is an ideal locale for couples after a dreamy Kuala Lumpur evening, away from the craziness, but still blessed with gasp-a-minute vistas.  

Located in busy Bukit Bintang, the area is renowned for its shopping malls, boutiques, and a flurry of bars and fab restaurants. So this spot suits the locale to a tee.  

Not only is it a wonderful option for some delish handcrafted cocktails (served with a helping of urban city panoramas), but it doubles as a restaurant if you’re wanting to wine and dine. The menu is mostly Italian-inspired, but there’s also the chef’s set menu. Try the truffled wedges and cauliflower popcorn! 

Oh, and did I mention it has a rooftop pool, too?! 

6. Fuego: Excelente for the chilled traveler 

Don’t you just love how the word Fuego rolls off the tongue? Its name is not the only thing to love at this fun Latin American-themed rooftop joint! 

From the pinstriped sofa seating to the colorful cacti cutouts adding to the decor, feel transported around the world. 

The cocktails are where it’s at for me, and any regulars get their own spin. For example, order a whiskey sour mixed with homemade corn-butter syrup and cayenne pepper. Or, test out the Moon Kiss done with 100% agave mezcal and homemade salted grapefruit. And of course they have sangria! Food is equally impressive. 

Another reason why this spot wins my heart is that it’s a little more laid-back than many of the rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur. Because let’s be real: we don’t always feel like dressing up and spending loads. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the vistas and vibes when at Fuego!

7. Marini’s On 57: For all the vibes 

Not only is Marini’s On 57 one of the hippest, most-featured and frequented rooftop icons, but it also boasts a whiskey lounge and an Italian restaurant that’s so good it’s been enlisted by the Michelin Guide! 

This locale is the type of spot that gets you excited. It makes you want to dress up for the evening, show off your best, and have a little fun. I’m a social butterfly, so this spot is always right up my alley. If you’re a vibe seeker, you’ll be very much impressed. 

‘La Dolce Vita’ neon signage says it all! And I die over the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Everything has an Italian kiss, and keep eyes open for epic weekend parties hosted here. 

8. The Attic Bar and Restaurant: Hidden in Chinatown  

I just love a good hidden bar, usually signaling a drinking establishment with a bit of funk and flair! The Attic Bar and Restaurant is a prime example — tucked away from obvious eyes atop a trendy hostel in Chinatown.  

Thanks to its location, it’s naturally cool. One of my top areas in KL to stay in or near is Chinatown. Every time I visit, I look for an apartment in this part of the city. It ticks off all my boxes for when I’m in the capital: street food, shopping, cute cafes, and a lively atmosphere.

Now, back to this award-winning rooftop. For access you’ll need enter via a glass door. Look out for a hanging red lantern on the door, and you know you’re in business. Then, travel up an ancient wooden staircase, and you’ll reach your destination.  

From here, sip back on locally-inspired cocktails while appreciating the vistas of the Merdeka Tower, KL Tower, and the Twin Towers. 

9. Sky 51: Drinks from 51 stories high 

Whether standing on Ground Zero (where you can see the giant EQ signage from) or chilling out 51 stories off the ground, you simply cannot miss Sky 51. After all, it’s one of the most iconic rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur! 

Sweeping views of the Petronas Twin Towers are never far from sight. DJs add to the funky ambiance, or if you’re in luck, a live band swings you into the night.

From 5 pm until 1 am, sip back on specially-crafted cocktails (inspired by the flavors of Malaysia), and feel on top of the world at this trendy spot. Also here is Sabayon Restaurant.

Some useful must-knows: There is a dress code (no shorts, vests/sleeveless shirts, open shoes, sandals, etc.), as well as a minimum spend to enter. Prices are hefty, but the views make it all worthwhile. 

Swap cosmo landscapes for Mother Nature’s splendor in Sabah (located in Borneo, the country borders Malaysia, Indo, and Brunei). Or stay close by and uncover the food secrets and symphonies of Penang, Malaysia’s food capital! It’s a four-hour drive or a quick one-hour flight.

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