Tucked away in the old Mah Lian Hotel, which served as a hotel in the front and a house of ill repute out the back, Botakliquor Bar breathes new life into the middle of KL’s Chinatown with its minimalist design and creative offerings. Maintaining most of the layout of the old building, architect Shin Chang preserved much of its soul and added a contemporary feel to create a homely bar. Each cocktail contains ingredients that are either home grown or locally produced and farmed. Rick Joore, who hails from Holland, uses Malaysian botanicals with the focus on clear spirits. In one of his more experimental menu creations, Rick plays around with funky ingredients not usually found in a cocktail. The bungka kantan and pumpkin cocktail contains a flower from Shin’s farm made into a soda with pumpkin seed-infused vodka. The bar itself, surrounded by a mélange of cosy chairs, is sunken and framed by an abundance of low-hanging plants. www.facebook.com/BOTAKLiquor
