Social Room KL – Menara Milenium
Words: Chris Lentner
Photos: Han Sen Hau
Picture this: it’s 6 pm. Quitting time. Your pompadour, once meticulously sculpted with a shellacking of pomade, is now deflated from forced air and stress. The tail of your button-down has escaped your waistband, no longer able to tolerate the beatdown of corporate life. You think about the slog home, the return to your hot apartment, and the three-day-old chicken leg in your fridge waiting to be eaten over the sink.
Ding! A bell signals that you’ve reached the ground floor, like a fasten seatbelt sign, warning of turbulence ahead. You slowly step off the elevator.
But then you hear it.
The drum beat grows louder and louder with every step you take.
Boom, bap! Boom-boom bap!
In comes a baritone sax, pumping its heavy breath straight into your face.
A seductive voice chimes in: “Je te trouve trés attirante…”
What was that? Never mind. You don’t speak French.
As you walk closer, you see what looks like a hotel lobby, filled with rounded chairs, deliberately mismatched sofas, and coffee tables that are too low to possibly get any work done. A white orchid bows like a geisha as you walk past. Beyond the lounge, you see four illuminated arches with dozens of colourful bottles standing at attention like stained glass soldiers. A bartender in black slacks and a starched white shirt stands behind the infinite bar, polishing a wineglass to a mirrorlike shine.
You have arrived.
This is Social Room.
Social Room KL
Social Room is the latest venture from The Karls Group, the F&B masterminds behind KL icons Beta, Skillet, and Upper House. Co-founders Kelvin Cheah and Li Tat Tuan joined us during the soft opening to share the inspiration behind the new cocktail bar and their vision for the future. Situated in Menara Milenium, a hulking office building home to a multitude of corporate tenants, including Ernst and Young, Chevron, and HSBC, this semi-casual cocktail bar was conceived to serve white-collar workers needing to unwind after work and to provide the surrounding community with a chill place to chat over a cocktail. “It’s a place where deals will be made,” commented Tuan. In the coming months, they plan to open an adjacent restaurant, Rhea, an all-day bistro serving coffee and pastries for breakfast, curated business lunches, and a homey dinner menu featuring trademark dishes from around the world. We can’t wait to come back for a taste!
Champagne
The lushes we are, we couldn’t say no to a few celebratory pours of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut (RM 580/bottle) to commemorate Social Room’s soft opening. The microscopic bubbles popped with orchard fruits and citrus zest. Crisp and indulgent, a flute of this champagne is the perfect antidote for a mundane work week.
Classic Cocktails
Social Room features several cocktails to satisfy patrons seeking familiar over fancy. We collectively decided on the Old Fashioned (RM 50), the most classic of cocktails, with its unapologetically whiskey-forward approach. Expertly balanced with bitters, a fragrant twist of orange, and a touch of sugar, sharing a couple of these with your boss might just get you that promotion you’ve been hoping for.
Signature Cocktails
We sampled all five of Social Room’s Signature Cocktails in the name of journalism. A lot of places are doing spicy cocktails these days, but the Downtown Hustle (RM 50) does it right. The heat from the chilli-infused whiskey lingered on our tongues until we could guzzle something else to extinguish it. The lemongrass was bold and intense, and the kaffir lime syrup was pronounced. This tropical flavour bomb is what other spicy cocktails aspire to be.
The Overtime Manhattan (RM 48) was complex and intriguing. You probably don’t want to order this as your first cocktail of the night, but it would be perfect for your third. Sesame-infused amaretto provided a one-two punch of nuttiness, while the restrained sweetness of monk fruit vermouth gently massaged our tongues. Who thought we would find an Asian Manhattan in KL?
The effervescent Concrete Jungle (RM 50) was a stroll through a botanical garden in spring. Luscious peaches and chrysanthemum petals fluttered over the rim of the glass. Whimsical and rejuvenating, this is the cocktail that will bring you back to life after an eight-hour grind.
The Golden Glow (RM 50) was a lowball of adult banana bread. The caramelised sweetness from banana liqueur and brown simple syrup was invigorated with a splash of lime juice, while curry leaf-infused rum reminded us that we were still in Malaysia. A few sips of the Golden Glow and The Yum List’s Three Asian Amigos started to glow themselves.
The Whispering Palms (RM 48) was the Social Room’s modern answer to the beloved, yet banal, piña colada. Cardamom bitters added warming spice and the thoughtful addition of egg whites lightened up the typically cloying cocktail. More like a secluded hideaway in St. Barts than a timeshare in Palm Beach, this cocktail exuded tropical luxury.
Zero-proof Cocktails
Until now, those who were driving, struggled with liver disease, or held certain religious beliefs were forced to order over-priced, uninspired “mocktails” just so outside observers wouldn’t scoff at them for drinking water in a cocktail bar. It was like, “Hey, here’s some ginger ale and mint. Enjoy your virgin mojito!” Social Room has solved this problem by offering artisanal “zero-proof cocktails” that are as masterfully mixed as their signature cocktails, only without any of the mind-numbing alcohol.
The Alchemist (RM 35) mixed Dry London Spirit (read: zero-proof gin) with celery, beetroot, honey, and egg white. A dusting of rose powder perfumed the earthy fuchsia potion. If you’re on a juice cleanse, but your friends pressure you to go out for a drink, just order this!
American Malt (read: zero-proof whiskey), chamomile, lemon, and egg white were combined to create the Amber Crest (RM 35). The toasty, citrus flavour was reminiscent of lemon meringue pie, and a frothy white cap sold the act. Disregard your 9 pm sleep reminder and replace your evening cup of chamomile tea with this guy. You won’t be sorry.
Social Room Review
Social Room is a classy new addition to the Damansara Heights dining scene. Cool and vibey, without being intimidating, this approachable cocktail bar welcomes you with open arms. With the upcoming opening of Rhea, plans for all-day service and live music, and the backing of the uber-successful Karls Group, this place is destined to be a community favourite.
Reasons to visit Social Room: Whether you’re looking to blow off some steam after work or grab a casual cocktail with friends, Social Room’s got you covered. With creative signature cocktails, classics, wine, beer, and zero-proof options, this place has something for anyone wanting to relax with a cold beverage.
Social Room KL
Level 1, Menara Milenium
8 Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Link to Social Room on Google Maps
@socialroom.kl
Social Room KL Hours
Monday – Saturday: 5 – 10 pm
Sundays: Closed
Find more KL bar recommendations here, and stay up-to-date on the latest gourmet and travel happenings around Malaysia via The Yum List on Instagram and The Yum List on Facebook.