New Year vibes still on full blast
THERE are plenty of lively venues for those wishing to jam away post-Chinese New Year blues.

BACKYARD PUB & GRILL

28, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8,

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 011-6135 5473

Almost an institution in its own right, Backyard has been serving up good food and refreshing drinks for over 30 years. There is plenty of music on offer here in the heart of Sri Hartamas. On Tuesday nights, Mark Renesh picks up his guitar for an evening of chilled vibes while on Wednesday, the duo of Ramesh & Phillip get into the groove. Crooner Allan G is in the house on Thursday nights and the original rocking trio of Albert, Vijay and Badar are back on stage on Friday nights. On Saturday, SELLA is in the house to set the tempo right.

SWIG @MEGAH

3A, Jalan SS24/11,

Taman Megah, PJ

Tel: 016-951 6627

Swig swings into the new year with a new outlet in Taman Megah that exudes different vibes from the original one in Jalan Gasing. Embarking on a series of mini musical evenings themed the “Living Room Concerts”, Swig@Megah brings in some young up-and-coming artistes. Tomorrow, grab the popcorn as Jazper & The Fellas bring movie soundtracks to the fore while love is in the air on Feb 20, with Nicolaz T and friends serving up love songs. The “Living Room Concerts” are ticketed events so call for details.

Karen Nunis joins the Namahages in Merdekarya tomorrow.

MERDEKARYA

352 (Annexe), Jalan 5/57,

Petaling Garden, PJ

Tel: 018-661 4553

Merdekarya, one of the Klang Valley’s best purveyors of indie vibes, turned 11 with a bang recently, with a host of familiar and not-so-familiar faces jamming in celebration. On Wednesdays, Brian Gomez is in the house to deliver original folk rock. Tonight, a celebration of a little bit of drum’n’bass and jazz with Leon Sapphire turns up the heat. Tomorrow night, blues and folk virtuoso Karen Nunis joins the Namahages on stage. Next Thursday, it’s singer-songwriter Eloise Lau’s turn. No cover charge but a minimum tip of RM10 for the musicians is expected.

JAO TIM

61, Jalan Sultan, KL

Tel: 03-2022 3897

Website: www.jaotim.comAn elegant venue dripping with old-word charm, Jao Tim is also stepping up as an events space, with a whole new set of music that serves up something for everyone. Tonight, Kaya pays tribute to reggae great Bob Marley. Tomorrow night, Dasha Logan and Rozz team up to give the audience a taste of rock, while on Sunday, there’s a jazz jam session for the more musically inclined. Next Tuesday, there’s a Chinese New Year special with Yi Mann & Alex Rocksta’ jamming on gu zhen and ukulele, respectively. Cover charges apply.

January Low joins Divya Nair at Bobo KL tonight and tomorrow for The Perfumed Garden duet.

BOBO KL

65-2, Jalan Bangkung,

Bangsar, KL

Tel: 012-683 8603

Bobo and its baby grand have played host to many a music great. Tonight and tomorrow night, dance fans will be delighted with The Perfumed Garden, an Odissi duet by dancers January Low and Divya Nair. Next Tuesday, Mazlina and Afiq team up with Dave Kitzkiniki on guitar for a night of “Love Stories”. Get a Lunar New Year feel next Thursday to Saturday, when Yudi Yap and friends celebrate “Nanyang Nostalgia”. For tickets, visit https://www.cloudjoi.com/org/bobokl.

Next Thursday to Saturday, Yudi Yap brings “Nanyang Nostalgia” to Bobo KL.

BATS

Sunway Giza,

Jalan PJU 5/14,

Petaling Jaya

Tel: 012-969 8557

BATS, fresh off a charity fundraiser, is back in the thick of the action with a host of regular acts. Crooner Vishnu keeps things nice and easy on stage alongside other musicians. For a full list of events and musicians performing here, check out https://www. facebook.com/bats.restaurant.bar

LAVAA RESTOBAR

25, Jalan 17/56

Section 17, PJ

Tel: 03-7931 5446

Good food and original cocktails make this nifty outlet an attractive hangout, and not just after dark! Musical magic happens twice a week here, with an extra special Sunday afternoon session from 3pm to 7pm. It’s a great time to just chill for an afternoon with the sounds of Sharin going solo with his acoustics. On Wednesday evenings, Victor sets the tone from 6pm.

ROCK BOTTOM BANGSAR

Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar,

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 016-315 3072

Located at the heart of Bangsar’s Telawi commercial area, Rock Bottom Bangsar is a good place to kick back after work. It’s also a popular spot for football fans to catch the best of EPL action and there’s plenty of musical action as well. Every Friday, take a trip back to the 1980s with The Union rocking up the stage.

PORKVILLE

Lot 3, Lorong Utara (B),

PJS 52, PJ

Tel: 016-324 1455

The interestingly named Porkville serves more than just great grub as it also plays host to great rocking acts. Some of the best of the local scene grace the stage here from time to time.

SIMPLY JAZZ by Tin Box

28 & 29, Block C5, Level G3,

Publika, Solaris Dutamas, KL

Reservations: https://tinbox.my

Jazz fans in the Klang Valley have another new venue to enjoy. Originally making its presence felt in TREC KL, Simply Jazz by Tin Box has moved to Publika for a whole new groove. It’s a breath of fresh air for jazz fans in the suburbs who’ve long had to make the trek deep into the heart of the city to get their kicks. Pianoman Michael Veerapen takes the lead here so there’s sure to be great jazz to please the guests.

H&A THE ORIGINAL

37, Jln 23/70a,

Desa Sri Hartamas, KL and 24, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14,

Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL

While starting as sports bars, the two H&A The Original outlets, one in Sri Hartamas and the other in TTDI, now offer up more fun. Wednesday and Sunday nights are for music, with alternating guests.

ON LINE PUB

32, Jalan SS20/10,

Damansara Kim,

Petaling Jaya

Tel: 03-7728 0532

The one and only Temple of Rock continues to thrill nightlife enthusiasts as it shows a whole new generation just what it takes to get it right with a mix of pub grub, chilled beers and loud music. What a selection the boys behind the bar serve up. On Friday nights, KDee & Razman get the ball rolling for a load of fun ahead of the weekend. On Saturday nights, On Line comes alive as the Temple of Rock kicks it into high gear with the inimitable, and irrepressible rocker Sharin picking up his axe for some major mayhem with his backing crew.

TWENTY EIGHT @ BANGSAR

26, Jalan Telawi 5,

Bangsar, KL

Tel: 019-870 0493

Now located just next door to its previous premises, Twenty Eight is not short of offerings for fans seeking an exciting night out. Friday nights serve up something a little different with Quiz Master Ram headlining in his own inimitable way, but it’s not just any other quiz night as there’ll be a live band on stage to keep punters entertained before, after and maybe even during the quiz. For reservations or information, email enquiries@twentyeightbar.com.

NAVIGATORS BAR & RESTAURANT

C-43-P2 and Mezzanine,

Block C, Jaya One,

72A, Jalan Universiti, PJ

Tel: 012-530 0013

Navigators is back in action with a selection of lively offerings for the fans. On Sunday nights, it’s time to chill out and mellow a little to the sounds of Victor M on stage.

MAHJONG PUB & DINER

14, Jalan Wan Kadir 1,

Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Another newcomer on the TTDI block, Mahjong is a colonial- themed sports bar with a classic British pool table for the fans. On Tuesday nights, vocalist Mary Jackson teams up with axeman Andrew Jacob to liven up the proceedings, while on Fridays, the Spellbound duo of Vincent & Faye are in the house to spice it up.

ELLI ROCKS DH

46-M, First Floor,

Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, KL

Tel: 011-1511 8866

The home of gin’o’clock also serves up some great musical vibes three nights a week, with a host of luminaries gracing the stage. Every Wednesday, Gerard Singh continues his solo sessions from the stage here, while tonight, guitar virtuoso Sharin teams up with percussionist Al Hafiz for a wonderful night out.

THE SAINTS BAR KL

11 First Floor,

Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, KL

Tel: 017-979 7148

The interestingly named Saints Bar pays homage to the group of mission schools in Malaysia run by the La Salle Brothers with a collection of nifty portraits of some of the iconic schools such as St John’s Institution in Kuala Lumpur. It’s also host to some great live music twice a week, with the inimitable Zack and Lyia taking the stage every Wednesday and Ice and JC singing out strong on Friday nights.
The Bar Hop,Klang Valley,bars
Klang Valley bars keep on strumming.