Nothing beats watching a DJ flip through their careful selection of vinyl, transition seamlessly from record to record, and create a collective experience that keeps the dance floor alive. Fortunately, Kuala Lumpur’s vinyl scene offers a handful of spots where you can immerse yourself in this multi-sensory experience. Here are six places to listen to vinyl, proving that music doesn’t always have to be delivered via endless playlists and algorithms.
1. Fono
Tucked away in the creative hub of Zhongshan Building, Fono is a music-centred art space that draws inspiration from Japan’s listening bars. Their curated nights span from disco and house, funk and soul, to dub and more.
Address: The Zhongshan Building, 80, Jalan Rotan, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
2. Louie’s
Stylish, timeless, elegant, intimate. These are just some of the words we’d use to describe Louie’s, a sophisticated yet laidback bar in Bukit Damansara known for its classic cocktails and vinyl-only DJ sets. Groove to the likes of old-school hip-hop, R&B, house, electro, techno, disco, funk, lovers’ rock, etc.
Address: Unit 8-4A, Plaza Batai, 8, Jalan Batai, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
3. Mantra Bar KL
A tropical rooftop bar and lounge in the heart of Bangsar, Mantra is the perfect spot to unwind with sundowners and a great view of the city. Keep an eye out for their special vinyl-only house night, Vinyl Soundsystem.
Address: Bangsar Village II, Jalan Telawi 1, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 017 344 8299
4. Mount Pleasure
Wedged comfortably between Feeka and Pizza Mansion, Mount Pleasure is a cute little natural wine bar that pairs vino from around the world with vinyl jam sessions on a weekly basis. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a vibe like this one, where you can enjoy a delicious slice of pizza, a glass of wine, and an incredible selection of tunes.
Address: Pizza Mansion @ The Five, Pejabat Koperasi Damansara, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
5. V88 Starhill
A jazz-kissaten-inspired restaurant, café, and bar built around an outstanding vintage sound system and quality tracks curated by fono, V88 Starhill hosts a live music-sharing session every Saturday from 6:30pm till midnight, featuring DJs that play strictly on vinyl.
Address: L112-1, Level 1, The Starhill, 181, Jln Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 03 2144 9888
6. Living Room @ KLoé Hotel
KLoé is a cosy boutique hotel that celebrates music, art, food, reading, and gardening. The hotel features a “Room To Listen,” where you can kick back, relax, and vibe to their built-in sound system centred around a vinyl turntable. The music is curated by DJ Rudy La Faber and a selection of records are available in the room.
Address: 227, Jln Bukit Bintang, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 03 2772 1313
Special mention
The Groove Room Record Store
The Groove Room is a speakeasy record store, which boasts a collection of over 4000 records, curated by the founder, Mohan. Rent the ‘hidden’ listening room in the back, take your pick from the eclectic mix, put your records on, and revel in nostalgia for a couple of hours.
Address: Lot 160, Level 1 Amcorp Mall 18, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: +6 012 288 3881
Other spots that host the occasional vinyl event:
Eateries that play vinyl:
