Georgetown Nightlife

Nightlife is a happening affair in George Town. As night falls, people would be thronging the streets to let their hair down at a pub or a nightclub, particularly along the stretch of Jalan Penang from Cititel Hotel and to where it intersects with Lebuh Farquhar.

Some of George Town’s best-known pubs and bars are located within hotels, particularly along or around Jalan Penang.

Upper Penang Road

Situated at the beginning of Jalan Penang, right in front of the historical Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Upper Penang Road is considered the centre of George Town’s nightlife. Most popular with expats and Westerners, this major party zone is filled with pubs and nightclubs that come alive with neon lights and thumping music come nighttime, with chairs spilling out onto the pavement for drinking sessions out in the open and the E & O Hotel glowing ethereally in the background.

Slippery Senorita

Well-known among avid party-goers, Slippery Senorita has been the rage in Penang since it first opened in 2001. This premier Latin dance club is a classy establishment that is more about style than sleaze. Featuring live bands and resident deejays, it is worth coming here just to witness the bartenders showing off their flaring skills – flipping bottles, flames and glasses skillfully – and perform amusing tricks with cards, fruits and napkins.
Address: Lot B3A, The Garage, No. 2 Upper Penang Road
Tel: (604) 263 6868
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 – 03:00

Momo

Combining the exotic senses of the Middle East with a delectable twist of Mediterranean hospitality, the award-winning Momo is divided into several trendy areas. Five bars are located around the club, so that a drink and a dance are at guests’ convenience.
Address: The Bungalow, Upper Penang Road
Tel: (604) 262 3030
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 21:00 – 03:00 (club), 18:00 – 02:00 (bar & al fresco dining), 18:00 – 20:00 (happy hours). Closed on Mondays for private functions.

F.A.M.E.

Formerly known as Lush, and then Glo, F.A.M.E is one of the city’s premier entertainment spots. A trendy show club with flamboyant live shows, exciting events and guest deejays, it is said to have the best ladies’ night in town.   
Address: Lot A8, The Garage, No. 2 Upper Penang Road
Tel: (604) 261 1045
Opening Hours: Daily, 17:30 – 02:30

Mois

Housed in a stately white colonial-style building, Mois sets the beat for a happening party weekend. Catering to the younger crowd, the always-crowded club features guest deejays every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and live performances from guest bands. There is also a bar outside right next to the entrance, where you can chill out in the open with a couple of beers while watching live sports coverage on the television. It’s free to enter before 22:00.
Address: No. 1 Upper Penang Road

Soi II Unplugged Bar & Restaurant

Situated next to Slippery Senorita, this restaurant cum bar serves premium beers such as SOL from Mexico and its most famous, Paulaner from Germany. A favourite chill-out haunt of the young crowd, this al fresco bistro also has live band entertainment on most nights.
Address: The Garage, Upper Penang Road
Opening Hours: Daily, 21:00 – Late

Others:

Other than Upper Penang Road, there are also other places where one can find small establishments serving cheap beers (the best thing is, hawker food is readily available here for you to enjoy your beer with).

Just after Upper Penang Street, between the junction where it meets Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Cititel Hotel, there are also a number of pubs and bars along the road on both sides. They may not be as classy and trendy as the ones on Upper Penang Road, but they are almost always filled nevertheless.

R & B Pub & Bistro

Part of the Merchant Hotel, this lively nightspot has live bands performing on most nights and is equipped with a dart board and a pool table. Yet, despite its casual and laid-back atmosphere, proper dressing is still required – sandals and shorts are a definite no-no. There’s also a karaoke lounge within.
Address: 1st floor, Merchant Hotel, 55 Jalan Penang
Tel: (604) 262 2506
Opening Hours: Daily, 17:00 – 02:30

Pitt Street Corner Bar

Wild West meets Little India in this charming, friendly little neighbourhood bar complete with a saloon-style swing doors. Perfect for chilling out with a cold beer on a sweltering day, accompanied by Bollywood song-and-dance on the wall-mounted TV screen. 
Address: 94 Lebuh Pitt (corner of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling Street & Lebuh Gereja)
Opening Hours: Open all day

SoHo Free House

Modelled after an English pub, SoHo Free House serves good old Irish stout (allegedly the first establishment in Penang to do so) and English lager. Spinning retro tunes from the 80s all day long, this little blue pub also serves typical English pub grub. The quieter area upstairs has a few pool tables and window-side tables overlooking Jalan Penang.  
Address: Peking Hotel, 50A Jalan Penang
Tel: (604) 263 3331
Opening Hours: noon - midnight

Levo Jazz Bar

Relatively new, Levo Jazz Bar charms with its relaxed ambience and a good selection of imported beers. Being a jazz bar, modern and old jazz tunes are the order of the day, although you also can hear some retro hits every now and then.
Address: 50C Jalan Penang
Tel: (604) 262 8911
Opening Hours: Daily, 17:00 – 02:00

Rock World

Marked by a giant spider hanging over its entrance, Rock World is one of Penang’s oldest nightspots. Liveliest during weekends, this discotheque has techno music blaring from its speakers, with local bands performing live every now and then.  
Address: 1 Drury Lane (Off Lebuh Campbell)
Tel: (604) 261 3168
Opening Hours: Daily, 19:00 – 02:00

Coco Island’s Traveller’s Corner

Fronting the Blue Diamond Hotel, Coco Island is a true traveler hang-out, populated by backpackers and foreigners. Beer and hard liquor are available here, as well as an extensive bar menu which includes an American breakfast and hawker’s delights at night.
Address: 273B Lebuh Chulia (next to Hong Pin Budget Hotel)
Tel: (604) 264 3608
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 01:00

Farquhar’s Bar

Serving decent food and drinks at surprisingly affordable prices, Farquhar’s Bar is considered by some to be the best bar you can find in George Town. A colonial-style hotel bar serving beer, cocktails, a selection of non-alcoholic drinks and delicious pub dinners, its signature drink, the Eastern & Oriental Sling, is something not to be missed.
Address: Eastern & Oriental Hotel, 10 Lebuh Farquhar
Tel: (604) 222 2000 ext. 3177
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 – 23:00

Uptown Pub & Bistro

Characterised by a bright purple exterior that’s hard to miss, Uptown Pub & Bistro features nightly live performance with Chinese songs and Canto-pop on the menu. There’s a beer garden in the courtyard, where you can enjoy your beer out in the open.
Address: 20 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (opposite the Shell station)
Opening hours: Daily, 19:00 - Late

More Nightlife in Asia: