KL Scenarium, Cocktail Bar Pop-up, The Enclave Bangsar

KL Scenarium

Words: Kitty Noble   Photos: Rich Callaghan

KL Scenarium, helmed by the enthusiastic mixologist, Pidot, was the very first mobile cocktail bar to service Malaysia. Their business focused around contracts for events and gigs traversing KL. Like much of the service industry, KL Scenarium was hit hard with the MCO, so had to come up with a creative way to rekindle business. Hence the birth of the pop-up collaboration with the Enclave Bangsar.

KL Scenarium Cocktails

KL Scenarium has an exciting range of cocktails, of which many celebrate the flavour and flair of Malaysia.

Negrosia

We started with Negrosia (RM 38), a twist on the traditional Negroni, adapted to appeal to the Asian palate. It was elegantly presented in a tumbler bedecked with a lime leaf and orange peel and a large ice ball (designed to melt slower than a traditional cube). Campari is infused with kaffir lime leaf, roasted coconut and lemongrass and paired with Botanist gin. Traditional red vermouth is swapped out and replaced with Lillet Rose so the Malaysia-Truly-Asia spices shine through. The drink has a complex flavour profile with the typical bitterness of the Campari, intensified by the local spices. This is certainly a hit with Mon!

Hot Lit Saloma

Hot Lit Saloma (RM 35) is inspired by 19th Century Malaysian culture. Soda is infused with traditional laksa ingredients (minus the belacan) of daun kesum (a local leaf) and ginger torch, which is also used to decorate the wine glass in which the cocktail is served. Pineapple shines through to make a fruity oh-too-easy to drink cocktail, not unlike our nation’s beloved Jungle Bird. Blended with the Aperol this would not be out of place on a beach on a sunny day. Whilst a little on the sweeter side of the drinks I prefer, I liked this so much, I seriously contemplated requesting a take-out for my impending trip that evening. Sunshine in a glass!

Ginny Tonic & Co

Ginny Tonic & Co (RM 35) or ‘Ginny-Me-Up’ as Monica retitled it, boasts Gordon’s gin, infused with Saffron Spice, cutely coined as ‘Gold of Desert’. Tonic is served in a wine glass with a funky test tube, nestled amongst the ice-cubes of flirtatious delicate pink-hued gin. The addition of a little spice and a floral note of dehydrated watermelon really lift a basic gin. For an additional RM 3, you can customise your own drink by pimping it up with a Fever-Tree of your choice. We tried these side by side and plumped for the lemon tonic. A refreshing afternoon tipple indeed!

Enclave Park

To highlight the partnership with the restaurant, Pidot created the signature cocktail, Enclave Park (RM 38). Each neighbourhood traditionally has an enclave green park, so Pidot decided to put the park in a glass. With gradients of green and a foamy top, basil lends the drink its freshness, celery bitters to add a crispness with the Botanist gin heavy on the Scottish botanicals. It’s garnished with asam boi and served in a champagne coupe. This is practically your five-a-day, detox in a glass if you will, with the celery shining through.

Teh ‘O Smoke Bowl

Teh ‘O Smoke Bowl (RM 38) is quite the show drink. A smoking bowl of dry-ice impresses as Pidot is inspired by the mamak culture. The dry-ice is smoked with the tea to further add to the experience. The tea-based cocktail is served in a plastic bag with a straw, ala mamak stall (my internal conservationist tries to ignore the plastic). Green apple is dried and smoked and infuses the whole drink, along with passion fruit creating a subtle backdrop. Plantation dark rum is the key liquor with a hint of coriander. The smokiness of the tea with the roundness of the fruits are a match made in heaven and make for my favourite of all the cocktails tasted.

Frose to Shame

As the light started to fade to sunset, Rich, quick-thinkingly, asked for a cocktail that would look pretty with the evening light. Frose to Shame (RM 35) did not disappoint. This fruity drink blends Angostura Reserva rum with its notes of mango and blueberry complementing the watermelon liqueur, elderflower and pineapple. Another yummy, summer cocktail and indeed, as with all their concoctions beautiful too.

KL Scenarium Review

KL Scenarium has an experimental, local and modern take on cocktails, with something to please every palate at a reasonable price-point. Do yourself a favour and pop down to The Enclave Bangsar to support local business and the entrepreneurship of a young and enthusiastic mixologist.

Reasons to visit KL Scenarium at The Enclave Bangsar: excellent pricing; innovative use of ingredients and fun, funky cocktails; Mon’s fave was the Negrosia, and Kitty was very fond of the Hot Lit Saloma.

KL Scenarium Cocktail Bar Pop-up
The Enclave Bangsar
1 Lorong Kurau, Bangsar
www.instagram.com/klscenarium

KL Scenarium Opening Hours
Daily from 4 pm

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