This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 1, 2018 - October 7, 2018

Patrons pack the watering holes along the street as loud music blares throughout the night — this is a typical scene in Changkat Bukit Bintang. Located in the heart of the Bukit Bintang area, Changkat Bukit Bintang is lined with 2-storey pre-war shophouses, which have been converted into pubs and boutique restaurants.

Dubbed Kuala Lumpur’s Piccadilly Circus, the street is considered as one of the most established, long-lasting nightlife districts in the city. It attracts locals, tourists and expatriates.

One pub, Pisco Bar, is particularly crowded. “I come here every week,” says Adam, a British expatriate who works as a marketing executive in town. “There are plenty of food and drink options along this street. It’s also a good place for networking. There’s a large community of expats here.”

Surrounded by Jalan Alor, Bintang Walk, Jalan Nagasari and Jalan Mesui, Changkat Bukit Bintang offers some of the city’s hottest hangouts such as Cuban bar Havana Bar & Grill and Irish pub Healy Mac’s. There is also backpacker accommodation such as Serenity Hostels.

No Black Tie, one of KL’s leading jazz bars, is located in nearby Jalan Mesui. Established in 1998, No Black Tie has seen many of Malaysia’s top singers and musicians go on its stage over the years.

From the creators of eatery Alexis, there’s Isabel, one of the newest restaurants in the area. This “Insta-worthy” restaurant, featuring a marble bar top and black-and-white chevron floor, is a crowd-puller.

“Since Changkat Bukit Bintang is a well-known nightlife district, the demand for commercial properties in the area is high,” says Laurelcap Sdn Bhd director Stanley Toh. “Tourists flock there and as a result, the non-landed properties have some commercial value as they become Airbnb units. The shoplots can fetch RM7 million to RM13 million each. The rent is about RM5 psf to RM7 psf per month.”

KGV International Property Consultants director Anthony Chua says, “Shops along Changkat Bukit Bintang were formerly homes. They have been turned into trendy shops to cater for tourists. Last year, the Lion Office Tower in Jalan Nagasari, which has retail shops on the ground floor, was sold to Yinson Corp Sdn Bhd for RM91 million.”

The outlook for the Changkat Bukit Bintang area is promising as more activity is expected to come its way, say consultants. As things are — the lights and sounds of the night are getting more intense and the patrons are packing the establishments along the street well into the small hours — this area is likely to remain a nightlife haven for a long time to come.

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