A hidden gin bar with an incredible selection.
Pahit isn’t just for gin lovers but for those who enjoy a great cocktail, too. Hiding in plain sight, most people would walk past the unadorned facade unless they already knew what was inside. Pahit effortlessly blends a chill ambience with elegant cocktails.
Ambience & Amenities
Pahit’s interior is quite industrial with only some posters livening up the bare concrete. We’ve only been here in the early evening when there’s a vastly different vibe. It’s dark and cavernous, and we’re usually the only patrons. Pahit is likely much better once the sun goes down. The intimate space hopping with people and lit by warm bulbs will feel like a trendy speakeasy. While Pahit does serve food, the table and chair setup isn’t ideal for eating proper meals. Aside from the bar seats, the other seats have small, low tables that would make it awkward to eat anything besides finger food.
The toilets are near the back of the long room. The women’s washroom is the first one past the communal sink, while the men’s room is around the corner.
Menu at Pahit
The Pahit menu has a couple of pages of gin cocktails, with usually an additional limited-time seasonal cocktail menu. The bulk of the menu is gin, separated by country of origin. There must have been over a dozen pages of gin. The gins come by the glass or bottle with a complementary tonic. Premium Fever Tree tonic is available for an extra charge. If you’re clueless about gin, the bartenders can offer recommendations and samples before you commit. Pahit even serves bar bites and meals.
Click on menu pictures to enlarge
Drinks at Pahit
We ordered the Coconut Clover Club (RM45) and the Starlight (RM42) from the regular menu. The Starlight was a simple, pleasant tropical cocktail with pretty hibiscus buds. The sweet, refreshing taste could probably appeal to someone who isn’t a gin drinker.
The Coconut Clover Club was the far more interesting and complex cocktail. A sweet richness lingered on my tongue, whether from the fat-washed gin or coconut puree. Although I find cocktails with eggs in them weird, the egg white thankfully disappeared, and I didn’t notice it. The white chocolate-covered raspberry garnish on the toothpick complemented the flavour profile.
Saturday Worthy?
We’ve been to Pahit a couple of times now. It’s always in the back of our minds when we’re in the mood for a nice cocktail in Bukit Bintang. The bartenders are knowledgeable and take their craft seriously, mixing drinks with care and attention to presentation. The vibe at Pahit is very casual and laid-back, great for when you want a delicious drink without having to go to a fancy hotel bar.
Price for 2 Pax: RM92.90
Coconut Clover Club: RM45.00
Starlight: RM42.00
6% SST: RM5.22
Rounding: (RM0.02)
Pahit
Address: 3, Jln Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 5pm – 1am every day except Monday, Closed on Monday
Alcohol Served: Yes
