The Locker & Loft Restaurant & Cocktail Bar PJ

Petaling Jaya’s original speakeasy, The Locker & Loft, turns nine, marking nearly a decade of inventive cocktails, bold plates, and a commitment to local, sustainable flavour.

Words: Monica Tindall Photos: Peter Tan

In a city where restaurant and bar signs seem to change faster than the weather, The Locker & Loft has stood its ground—and poured its heart—into Petaling Jaya for nine vibrant years. This isn’t just survival; it’s a celebration of spirit, flavour, and community that’s been shaking and stirring the neighbourhood since 2016.

The Locker & Loft PJ

From its discreet beginnings as PJ’s original speakeasy to becoming a well-loved fixture on the city’s dining map, The Locker & Loft has never lost sight of its core recipe: bold plates, inventive cocktails, and an unpretentious welcome that makes everyone feel at home. No dress codes, no velvet ropes—just a space where boundary-pushing ideas meet responsibly sourced ingredients, and where local farmers, ethical producers, and a dash of mischief share equal billing. As they toast to their ninth anniversary, the team isn’t just raising a glass to the past; they’re looking forward to many more nights of good vibes, great flavour, and hospitality that keeps people coming back long after last call.

It’s been a while since our last visit (PJ is across the city, and my comfort zone is usually within walking distance), but within minutes of settling in, I wondered why I’d stayed away so long. The Locker & Loft is every bit as cosy and welcoming as I remembered, with a soundtrack of trance, funk, and soul purring through a top-notch sound system, softening neighbouring chatter without intruding on our own. The polished copper bar alone is a showstopper, its 3mm plate welded seamlessly into a gleaming counter. Original artworks, artistic chandeliers, exposed pipes, and partially exposed brick walls lend an industrial-meets-creative charm. The eclectic mix of bar stools, tall tables, dining spots, and lounge areas – plus a petite covered balcony – gives everyone a place to perch. It’s easy for hours to disappear here, so we settle in and let the cocktails set the pace.

Craft Cocktail Menu

Pioneers in weaving Malaysian flavours into contemporary cocktails, The Locker & Loft have been celebrating the local long before it was trendy – and they do it with a light touch, never tipping into cliché. Their creativity has even extended to distilling their own Malaysian gin (crafted in Scotland to their recipe), infused with homegrown botanicals. There are currently two versions – Gin Malaysia Original and Kantan – both regular stars behind the bar. Soon, you’ll also spot their cocktails in sleek canned form, perfect for retail shelves or events: expertly made, conveniently packaged.

At the helm is head bartender Salman, whose quiet confidence in his craft comes with a rare promise – a money-back guarantee if your drink doesn’t delight. Another inventive move? Selling spirits by the half-bottle, giving guests the freedom to explore without the full-size commitment.

The menu charts a spirited tour of Malaysia, with each glass a different stop along the way. The Guayaba (RM37) lets local guava shine, blending gin, Campari, lemon, and honey into a clarified, clear pour. Served in a rocks glass with a dried guava strip, it’s bright, fruity, and as easy-going as a Sunday afternoon. This was a favourite with the team.

If the kitchen can serve nasi lemak, why not the bar? Enter the Nasi Lemak (RM35) – Gin Malaya Original with santan (coconut milk), coconut water, sambal, ginger, pandan leaf, pandan puree, and muddled cucumber over a sphere of ice. It arrives with a banana leaf pouch of peanuts, anchovies, and cucumber. It’s off-menu, so you’ll need to ask for it – and specify whether you’d like it “clean” or “dirty” (trust your bartender).

Cue the chorus: Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da … tequila! The Don Jawa (RM37) pairs Tequila Sauza with asam jawa puree (tamarind), agave syrup, fresh orange, and a dusting of salt, paprika, and cinnamon. The Himalayan pink salt and paprika rim adds a savoury edge to the fruity-tangy sip. This was my fave; hello, tequila!

The Passionfruit Negroni (RM48) keeps the classic bittersweet profile but brightens it with tropical acidity, thanks to passionfruit tea–infused gin. It’s served over ice in a rocks glass, and garnished with a slice of passionfruit skin and pulp. Salman tells me he makes a whole range of Negroni twists; perhaps that’s a future theme for an afternoon.

Elegance of the evening? The Pandan Malaya (RM40) – a dark beauty served in a flute, with a deep purple base crowned in vegan aquafaba foam. Gin Malaya Original meets homemade pandan puree, smoked ginger butterfly pea syrup, and a pinch of salt, delivering a cocktail that’s bold, balanced, and nostalgic.

Finally, a little pick-me-up for the road: the Ekspres Melaka (RM36). This playful riff on the espresso martini swaps in gula Melaka (palm sugar syrup) and a splash of coconut milk for a local twist on the classic vodka-espresso duet.

After that cocktail flight, it would be tempting to call it a night – but with a food menu this enticing, we’d be missing half the fun. Besides, good cocktails deserve equally good company on the plate.

The Locker & Loft Food Menu

Garden Selections

Knowing full well where this visit is heading, we begin sensibly with fruit and veg. The Roasted Watermelon Salad (RM20) is a vibrant tumble of fresh greens, lychee, and buffalo feta, crowned with warm, charred watermelon wedges. A wasabi dressing gives a playful, nose-tingling lift without overpowering the sweetness of the fruit.

Small Plates

We can’t resist the creativity of the Mochi Bombs (RM20 for four pieces) – golden, deep-fried spheres anchored by a dab of chilli jam mayo. Inside, a vegan mix of spiced coconut, pineapple, and herbs bursts with tropical brightness, the chewy mochi shell adding a satisfying contrast. Great for sharing, though you might not want to.

The team here bakes its own bread in-house, and it shows. The Queso di Capra Panuozzo (RM40) layers Spanish goat cheese, caramelised onions, chilli caramel sauce, roasted peanuts, pickled cucumber, and rocket between slices of dense, springy panuozzo. It’s sweet, spicy, nutty, chewy – a textural and flavour jackpot.

Mains

The Confu-Asian Fish Furai (RM55) delivers a tender basa (catfish) loin in a crisp breadcrumb shell, resting on sautéed bayam (local leafy greens) and dressed with a bunga kantan (torch ginger) fish emulsion. It’s a dish that balances crunch, freshness, and aromatic depth in one forkful.

Curiosity leads me to the Beef Rencik (RM65). While “Malaysian beef” can sometimes be code for buffalo, here it means locally raised Angus cattle, indeed a rare find on menus. The oyster blade cut is flavourful and has a slightly toothsome texture I enjoy – a reminder I’m eating real meat, not animals marketed for their unnaturally high marbling with no flavour or ethics. A curry leaf mash and toasted almond coconut crumble add richness and an elegant finish.

The Lamb Char Siew (RM60) makes its presence known before it even lands on the table – the aroma alone could turn heads, including those of the resident pup Bella, who’s enjoying her Sunday in this dog-friendly space. Lamb breast is paired with pumpkin, barley, and crisp lotus root chips for a dish that’s hearty and harmonious.

Then there’s The Oink! (RM48) – a generous hunk of pork collar in a golden crumb crust. Yellow curry pumpkin puree, kailan, and beetroot back it up, offering a little sweetness, a thread of spice, and a pop of colour.

Dessert

We end on the bright note of When Life Gives You Lemons (RM20). This lemon semolina cake, with its yogurt-honey espuma, is moist, tangy, and cheerfully zesty – the sort of dessert that could make you forget your troubles, at least until the plate is empty.

The Locker & Loft Review

Nine years in, The Locker & Loft feels less like a bar and restaurant and more like a trusted friend. This friend knows when to shake things up, when to keep it classic, and when to slip us something a little unexpected. With its inventive cocktails, bold local flavours and knack for making us feel right at home, we could pop in for a drink and accidentally stay for dinner… and maybe dessert and probably another cocktail.

Reasons to visit The Locker & Loft: inventive cocktails showcasing Malaysian flavours without tipping into gimmickry; house-distilled Gin Malaya, plus clever off-menu creations like the Nasi Lemak cocktail; thoughtfully sourced, locally driven menu from small plates to hearty mains; cosy, creative space with an excellent sound system and relaxed vibe; dog-friendly Sundays, so your four-legged companions can join the fun; nearly a decade of consistency in a fast-changing dining scene. Mon’s faves: the Don Jawa and Mochi Bombs. The team’s faves: Guayaba and Queso di Capra Panuozzo.

The Locker & Loft
40A, Jalan SS 20/10, Damansara Kim
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Link to The Locker & Loft on Google Maps
@lockerandloft +6 017-377 3766
* vegetarian options
** street parking
*** dog-friendly Sundays

The Locker & Loft Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 5 pm – 1 am
Friday & Saturday: 5 pm – 2 am
Sunday: 4 pm – 1 am

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